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If you step on a fire ant mound or go into an area where there is a fire ant mound, you're likely to regret it. Fire ants gather together in a swarm to defend their nests, and they can have surface tunnels that stretch out ten feet in all directions from a fire ant mound. When these ants start to “bite” you, you're going to notice it. It is unpleasant, to say the least. But those bites aren't really bites; they're tiny, little stings. A fire ant stings using a stinger on the end of its abdomen, just like a wasp or bee. While not nearly as potent as a wasp or bee sting, the venom isn't something you can ignore. Fortunately, for most people, it is fairly easy to get away from the annoying stings of fire ants. Today, we're going to take a look at circumstances when annoying fire ant stings can become dangerous—even deadly.
A Sting Is Worse Than A Bite
We made a big deal about the fact that fire ants sting rather than bite. We did this for a reason. This is important to understand because it is possible to have an allergic reaction to venom. While it is rare for an individual to have a severe reaction, and even rarer for an individual to have a deadly reaction, it can happen—and, it can happen fast. If you don't know what a dangerous reaction to a stinging insect looks like, tragedy could happen.
Let's put this in perspective. The chances that you or someone you love will have a deadly reaction to fire ant stings is astronomical. It's like being struck by lightning a few times. But those statistics go out the window when someone close to you is swelling up and they claim that they can't breathe. We don't want you to be fearful of fire ants. Our hope is that you'll take the time to research the symptoms of stinging insect allergies and be watchful.
Keep in mind that, while children have the greatest risk of an allergic reaction, this allergy can develop as you grow older. You may think that you're not allergic, when you actually are.
What Happens When You Can't Get Away
Some people don't have the ability to get away from fire ants. Hospital patients, people who are at home and bound to their beds, and some elderly people, are all potential victims of fire ants. While fire ants don't prefer to get into man-made structures and are more likely to be found in sunny areas in the center of your yard, they can and do enter structures when opportunities present themselves. If they do, they can present a threat to anyone in your home who is unable to get away from their stings.
What Happens When You Can't Communicate
When fire ants start biting you, it is probably easy for you to communicate to others that fire ants are biting you. In fact, it is likely that you will. But a baby isn't able to let you know when he or she is being bitten by fire ants. Babies cry for many reasons. They cry when they're hungry. They cry when they're tired. They cry when they're uncomfortable. Sometimes, they cry just to cry. If you have a baby who cries a lot, you may let them cry it out and fall asleep. This is where the danger lies, particularly indoors. When your baby's screaming escalates, you may think it will soon stop and your baby will realize you've won, then drift off to sleep. This won't be the case if fire ants have gotten into your home. If you notice fire ant mounds in your yard, be aware that these ants can forage 100 feet away from their mounds and that, as they hunt for food, they can find their way inside.
Fire Ant Control
At the first sign of fire ant mounds in your yard, we strongly recommend treatment. While the risk of severe or deadly consequences is extremely low, why take chances? Have a licensed pest professional perform an inspection and offer guidance in selecting an appropriate treatment plan.
If you live in Orlando, remember that the service team here at Green Flag Services is available to assist you with all of your pest control needs. We can provide one-time fire ant treatments or year-round pest control that include coverage for fire ants.
Life is a whole lot better when you don't have fire ants in your yard. Hop over to our contact page and tell us a little bit about your pest problem. From there, it is just a quick click to schedule a service visit. You don't have to live with fire ants. Get relief, and get protected, today.