{"id":586,"date":"2022-07-13T16:26:52","date_gmt":"2022-07-13T16:26:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pestqueen.com\/?p=586"},"modified":"2022-07-13T16:26:53","modified_gmt":"2022-07-13T16:26:53","slug":"can-a-fire-ant-kill-you","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pestqueen.com\/can-a-fire-ant-kill-you\/","title":{"rendered":"Can a Fire Ant Kill You? How Many Bites Will Kill You?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Certain species of fire ants can be very aggressive creatures compared to other insects.&nbsp;<strong><em>Can a fire ant kill you?<\/em><\/strong> How many bites will kill you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>If their nest is disturbed, hundreds, even thousands of fire ants have been known to attack simultaneously, which can be very dangerous.&nbsp;<\/li><li>Being stung by a single fire ant is unlikely to cause you much more than a brief stinging sensation and some mild irritation in the area where you were stung, unless you&#8217;re allergic.&nbsp;<\/li><li>There are a few instances where you could be affected more severely.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>We will look at these in more detail below, along with some suggestions on what to do if you\u2019re stung by a fire ant. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Read on to learn how deadly fire ants are, and how many stings it might take!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Can a Fire Ant Kill You? How Many Bites Will Kill You? Can You Die From a Fire Ant Sting?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Technically yes, you can die from fire ant stings, though it\u2019s highly improbable. Fire ant venom is unique compared to other stings such as wasps and hornets. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Several variables play a role in causing fire ant stings to be fatal.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Allergies to the toxin in a fire ant sting (known as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aaaai.org\/tools-for-the-public\/conditions-library\/allergies\/fire-ant-allergy\" rel=\"noopener\">anaphylaxis<\/a>) can cause complications ranging from mild discomfort to death if the allergic reaction spreads. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:30px\"><em>Allergies to the toxin in a fire ant sting (known as anaphylaxis) can cause complications ranging from mild discomfort to death if the allergic reaction spreads. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A more commonly known comparison is bee stings which are mainly harmless aside from a little pain upon impact but can be very dangerous if you\u2019re allergic or get stung several times at once.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Studies have shown that around 2% of people have mild allergic reactions to fire ant stings, while only 0.2% of people die from it. The toxin generally causes a pustule in the skin, which can become infected when scratched.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How Many Bites Does It Take To Kill a Human?&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There is no exact answer to the question, sorry for the clickbait heading. The reality is that each human has a different size and immune system that reacts differently to different stimuli. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As mentioned earlier, if you were unfortunate enough to stumble upon a nest or colony, you could be faced with thousands of stings at once, which can be fatal if untreated. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Generally, anywhere from 80 \u2013 100 stings at once warrants a reason for emergency medical treatment as that amount of toxin can be fatal.\u00a0If you&#8217;re allergic, that number would be much lower.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You should seek medical attention based on your body&#8217;s reaction to fire ant stings, not the quantity of the stings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:30px\"><em>You should seek medical attention based on your body&#8217;s reaction to fire ant stings, not the quantity of the stings.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Symptoms of Fire Ant Bites<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Firstly, you\u2019ll likely feel an intense pinch or burning sensation during the sting. The pain is usually only present for a few minutes before the most common reaction sets in: skin irritation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The itching is likely to intensify over the next few days but should heal on its own even if left untreated (though this is not recommended).\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Fire ant stings leave a unique mark on the skin surface compared to <a href=\"https:\/\/pestqueen.com\/where-do-bed-bugs-hide-on-your-body\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"505\">other types of\u00a0bites and stings<\/a>, and the actual wounds are round, pus-filled blisters that look like pimples. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These blisters appear fairly soon after being bitten, usually within 10 \u2013 30 minutes. And since fire ants generally attack in numbers, you will likely see a cluster of blisters in the affected areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:30px\"><em>These blisters appear fairly soon after being bitten, usually within 10 \u2013 30 minutes. And since fire ants generally attack in numbers, you will likely see a cluster of blisters in the affected areas.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Allergic Reactions to Fire Ant Stings<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>People with severe allergies to fire ant venom (like me, dear reader!) will start to notice more serious symptoms fairly soon after being stung. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you exhibit any of these symptoms after being stung, you should seek emergency medical attention as soon as possible:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Difficulty breathing<\/li><li>Hives covering the body<\/li><li>Swelling in the throat or tongue<\/li><li>Stomach upset<\/li><li>Dizziness\u00a0<\/li><li>Lack of consciousness<\/li><li>Confusion<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Untreated, your body may go into shock, which could be fatal.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Get medical attention immediately if you experience any of this after being stung by a fire ant. It&#8217;s no joke!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:30px\"><em>Get medical attention immediately if you experience any of this after being stung by a fire ant.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Treat Fire Ant Bites<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Provided you are not exhibiting one or more of the reactions above, you can treat your fire ant stings at home. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Fire ant bites can heal on their own over some time. Treatment will depend on how severe your reactions to the stings were and the location of the stings.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:30px\"><em>Treatment will depend on how severe your reactions to the stings were and the location of the stings.&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Home Remedies<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>These can prove to be helpful with fire ant stings. Be sure to clean the area thoroughly to eliminate any lingering bacteria and fire ant venom. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Cold compressions have been known to ease the burning and itching sensations. Don&#8217;t apply ice directly to the blisters as this can cause them to tear and become infected. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Keep the affected area as open as possible to help the blisters dry, and apply aloe vera to help soothe the skin around the area.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Medical Treatments<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>These generally come in the form of hydrocortisone cream or another topical ointment that are meant to be applied directly to the affected area. The liquid contains medicinal and soothing properties designed to absorb directly into the area and aid healing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Oral medication such as antihistamines may be prescribed for more severe allergic reactions, while emergency room treatment would be called for in severe cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Safely Handle Fire Ants<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The best piece of advice to this question is to avoid contact altogether. Fire ants, like<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nationalgeographic.com\/animals\/invertebrates\/facts\/ants\" rel=\"noopener\"> most ants, are colonial<\/a> and therefore attack in numbers when they feel threatened. It\u2019s best to call an expert fully trained and equipped to help you remove a nest.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have to do it yourself, be sure to wear protective gear, especially boots, gloves, and appropriate headwear. If the ants get through your protective clothing layer, move quickly away from the area and dust off the ants with a cloth.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For smaller nests, dousing the nest with boiling water could do the trick. But be sure that you use sufficient water as any survivors are likely to attack after that.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Fire ants are a common insect found in many countries across the world. Their sting generally causes a short-sharp pain or burning sensation followed by skin irritation and the formation of a small blister caused by the venom produced by the fire ant. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These blisters usually heal on their own within a few days.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>More severe allergic reactions may require medical treatment and hospitalization in the most extreme cases. If you experience severe allergic reactions to fire ant stings, you should seek medical assistance immediately as untreated severe symptoms can be fatal.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Certain species of fire ants can be very aggressive creatures compared to other insects.&nbsp;Can a fire ant kill you? How many bites will kill you? If their nest is disturbed, hundreds, even thousands of fire ants have been known to attack simultaneously, which can be very dangerous.&nbsp; Being stung by a single fire ant is [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":587,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pestqueen.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/586"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pestqueen.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pestqueen.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pestqueen.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pestqueen.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=586"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/pestqueen.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/586\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":628,"href":"https:\/\/pestqueen.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/586\/revisions\/628"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pestqueen.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/587"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pestqueen.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=586"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pestqueen.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=586"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pestqueen.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=586"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}