Medical Problems associated with Fire Ants in Urban Areas

• Introduction
• Management Options
• Organizing a Community-Wide Suppression Program
• Treatment Methods
• Biology and Identification
• Medical Problems
• History of Control Efforts
• Fire Ant Insecticides
• Policy Statement
• Acknowledgments
• Print this Lesson

Pustules formed from fire ants stings on adult hand

Fire ants are aggressive and will defensively attack anything that disturbs them. Fire ants can sting repeatedly. Symptoms of a fire ant sting include burning, itching and a white, fluid-filled pustule that forms a day or two afterward. Often people note a circular pattern of pustules, which may be caused by one ant stinging several times. Although the stings are not usually life threatening, they can be easily infected if the skin is broken, and may leave permanent scars.

If the only symptoms are pain and the development of pustules, stings can be treated with over-the-counter products that relieve insect bites and stings (see FAPFS023 at Texas Imported Fire Ant Research and Management Project for more information). If a sting leads to severe chest pain, nausea, sweating, difficulty breathing, serious swelling or slurred speech, the person should be taken to an emergency medical facility immediately. Some people may lapse into a coma from just one sting. Compared to deaths from bee and wasp stings, relatively few deaths from fire ant stings have been documented. People sensitive to fire ant stings should seek the advice of an allergist. Once a person has discovered that he/she is allergic to the fire ant venom, extra care must be taken to avoid stings. Often individuals allergic to the venom will carry epinephrin (“Epi kits”) or undergo treatment in an attempt to desensitize their reaction to the venom.

Tips for avoiding medical emergencies and for treating ant stings:

• Teach children and visitors about the hazard of fire ants and to be aware of ant mounds.

• Wear protective clothing during outdoor activities. Wear shoes or boots and/or tuck pant legs into socks.

• Treat stings with an insect bite remedy that deadens pain and protects against infection.

• Control fire ants in areas used most frequently by people and pets.

Use insect repellents on clothing and footwear. These treatments can temporarily discourage foraging ants, but will not deter the defensive reaction of ants emerging from a disturbed mound.