How Does a Fire Ant Sting?

Bite, Then Sting

Fire ants are very aggressive. They are also tiny and not easily noticed until you have been stung. The stinging creates a burning sensation, hence the name of the ants. The name also refers to their reddish color.

Fire ants actually bite before they sting. You might feel a slight prick as the ant bites your skin with its mandibles. The saliva does not cause the burning. The ant bites only in order to get a firm grip so that it can sting you with the stinger, which is located at the rear of the ant. The stinger is actually similar to a hypodermic needle. It is connected to the egg-laying structure of the ant.

Once the fire ant has a firm grip with its head, it will lift its hind quarters and jab the stinger into the victim. The ant will then inject venom, which is toxic and made of different alkaloids, from a special gland. The ant also releases a chemical signal that calls more ants to attack, or sting. This is why fire ants are so feared: once one of them stings, more of them will also swarm and sting.

Sting Reaction

Fire ants have the ability to sting their victims repeatedly. Some even continue to sting long after their venom sacs are empty. The victim experiences a burning sensation at the site of the sting. Sometimes the burning is followed by an itching sensation as well. Soon, a red welt or white pustule will form, which may continue to itch for weeks.

Fire ant bites are very common. It is estimated that around 40% of people who live in fire ant-infested areas are bitten each year. Fifteen percent of those are allergic or very sensitive to the stings. This means that, instead of a burning, itching welt, they react much more strongly to the stings. They suffer from nausea, hives, major swelling of the sting area and even chest pains. People who are severely allergic may even go into shock or lapse into a coma.

Treatment

If you react strongly to a fire ant bite, (dizziness, nausea, chest pain) you should seek medical treatment as soon as possible. Otherwise, you can treat yourself by following some simple steps. First, move away from the nest and make sure there are no more ants on you. If you see some, kill them. Secondly, wash the sting site with soap and water. If there is swelling and pain, apply a cold compress. Next, use alcohol to disinfect the area, taking care not to break any blisters, as this could cause them to become infected. To reduce the itching, apply a cream or a natural product, such as tea tree oil, to the skin. Also consider taking an oral antihistamine such as Benedryl.

Resources

• More about fire ants