How to Identify Fire Ants Bites
If you’re trying to figure out if a fire ant has bitten you, chances are you’ve had an unfortunate encounter with one of the most aggressive pests in the U.S. At Fire Ant Control, LLC, we help ensure you and your property stay safe–so you can walk around without worrying about painful encounters with these relentless invaders.
Red Imported Fire Ants (RIFA) are highly aggressive and will immediately attack if their mounds are even slightly disturbed. These attacks happen fast and often without warning. Fire ants swarm by climbing onto their target, gripping the skin with their mandibles, and delivering multiple stings while rotating their bodies. Each sting injects venom, intensifying the pain.
The resulting bites usually resemble small pimples but are often accompanied by intense itching and a burning sensation. It’s important not to pop the blisters, as this can lead to infection. If you develop bumps or a rash and suspect fire ants, look for distinct signs to help ensure proper and timely treatment:
- Is the first sensation burning or itching? Fire ant bites burn at first and itch later if an allergic reaction occurs. This burning pain is a key feature of fire ants and the likely source of their name.
- Does a welt occur quickly around the bite? In the case of fire ant bites, a red welt will usually appear at the bit site, often surrounded by a red halo.
- Does the bite look like a pimple? A pustule will form within the first day of a fire ant bite. It will look like a pimple with white fluid at the center. Other insect bites don’t share this reaction.
- Do you have several similar bites? Fire ants often attack as a group, leading to a cluster of bites in a random pattern.
- Do the itching and biting continue for several days? Fire ant bites will generally itch and burn for a few days. FYI, scratching will make the itching worse and increase your chances of infection.
- Are the bites on the lower limbs? Fire ant bites usually affect the feet and legs since those are the nearest to the mounds.
Fire ant stings can trigger a range of allergic reactions, from localized irritation to systemic responses and even life-threatening anaphylaxis. Be alert for symptoms such as widespread rash or hives, swelling of the face, throat, or tongue, trouble breathing, chest tightness, dizziness, nausea, or vomiting. If any of these symptoms appear, seek emergency medical care right away.
Avoid Bites with Fire Ant Control
The best way to avoid fire ant bites is to evict them from your property. Fire Ant Control, LLC provides a guaranteed service that keeps your property up to 99% fire ant-free for four months at a time. Our approach uses a specially formulated granular bait that acts like a Trojan horse. Worker ants bring the bait back to the queen, who consumes it and becomes sterile. With no new eggs being laid, the existing ants die off naturally. By the end of one life cycle, the colony is wiped out.
Click here to make identifying fire ant bites a concern of the past. Fire Ant Control, LLC provides reliable protection against the injuries and property damage caused by fire ant infestations.