What Do Fire Ants Look Like?
Fire ants are one of the most aggressive ant species in Texas and can be found in many areas of the United States. If you're planning to spend time outdoors, it's essential to know how to distinguish these ants from other species.
Known for their painful bites, fire ants can be identified by their dull reddish-brown or reddish-black color. These ants have an abdominal stinger to inject alkaloid venom.
What Do Fire Ant Bites Look Like?
According to MedicalNewsToday, fire ant bites are round and pus-filled. This can make them have a pimple-like appearance.
Stages of a fire ant bite include:
- An intense pinching or burning pain after being bitten.
- The pain is short and can last from seconds to a few minutes.
- Mild or intense itching or burning begins to set in.
- The itching gets stronger for a few days.
- The wounds appear but should go away within seven to 10 days.
Most people may not experience many issues after a fire ant bite. However, those who are allergic may have a severe life-threatening reaction known as anaphylaxis.
Anaphylaxis symptoms include:
- Trouble breathing
- Tongue or throat swelling
- Confusion
- Loss of consciousness
- Dizziness
Usually, these symptoms can begin within a few hours. If you or a loved one begins experiencing these symptoms, it is imperative that you seek emergency medical help.
How to Prevent Fire Ant Bites
There are a few tactics you can implement to reduce the likelihood of a fire ant bite.
Preventing fire ant bite strategies include:
- Apply insect repellent to exposed skin and clothing.
- Avoid disturbing nests, colonies, or mounds.
- Wear shoes while outside.
- Wear long sleeves and pants. Be sure to also tuck pants into socks or shoes.
Keeping you and your loved ones safe is important, so be sure to follow these tips. However, if you're experiencing an infestation of ants in your home or on your property, it's crucial to call in the professionals at Anytime Pest Elimination.
Trying to handle these pests on your own can lead to further complications, so leave it to the experts who know how to properly and safely eliminate the problem. Don't wait until the problem gets worse, contact Anytime Pest Elimination for reliable and effective ant control.