YEEEOWCH!!
Nothing stings quite like a Texas fire ant

More than 5 million people are stung by fire ants every year, but here in Texas – fire ant country – more people have actually died from reactions to fire ant stings than any where else in the nation, according to the Texas Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Society. The sting itself isn’t deadly, but some people can have a severe allergic reaction that can be serious or even fatal.

Fire ants are aggressive and will defensively attack anything that disturbs them, according to Rick Rogers, board-certified entomologist at Myers Pest & Termite Services. That means it doesn’t take much to stir them up. And because fire ants can and do sting repeatedly, a person who is attacked by fire ants is rarely stung only once. Some people will have a reaction within minutes; others will take an hour or so. For some it’s a gradual process.

The fire ant’s attack is a two-part process consisting of a bite and a sting. When one ant stings, they all sting and inject a venom that causes the release of histamine, a chemical in our bodies that can produce pain, itching, swelling and skin redness. Within seconds after the stings, discomfort occurs at each site and a small red welt appears. Each welt can enlarge rapidly, depending on the amount of venom that was injected and the victim’s sensitivity to the venom. The reaction persists for up to an hour, and then a small, clear blister will form. Over the next half day or so, the fluid in the blister may turn cloudy, and the area will begin to itch. Most people experience only a small amount of redness around the sting site.

Some people experience a generalized allergic reaction to a fire ant sting. The reaction can include sweating, slurred speech, chest pain, shortness of breath, hives, swelling, nausea, vomiting or shock. People exhibiting these symptoms after being stung by fire ants should get medical attention immediately. Death can occur in hypersensitive people and the elderly or very young.

What should you do if you are stung? First, apply a cold compress to relieve the swelling and pain. Gently wash the affected area with soap and water and leave the blister intact. A popular, quick treatment of a paste made from water and meat tenderizer can provide immediate relief, but is not effective if applied more than 15 minutes after the initial sting. Another option is to treat stings with an insect bite remedy containing benzocaine or other ingredients that deaden pain and help protect against infection.

The best way to treat a fire ant sting is not to get stung at all! Know what you’re looking to avoid: small, coppery-brown ants with dark abdomens. They live in mounds or can be found next to or underneath objects on the ground, such as fire wood, timber, logs, rocks, pavers and bricks. Rogers says that it’s best to treat your yard aggressively in the spring to keep the fire ant population as low as possible for the summer.

Additional fire ant sting prevention tips include:

• Teach everyone, especially children, about fire ants and how hazardous they are. Children can mistake the fire ant mounds for sand piles and be attacked.
• Wear protective clothing during outdoor activities.
• Wear shoes outdoors at all times.
• If working outdoors, wear pants and boots, and tuck your pant legs into your socks.
• Control fire ants in yards and other areas frequented by people and pets.
• Use insect repellents on clothes and shoes, which can discourage foraging ants.
• Lightly dust your shoes, socks, feet and legs with talcum powder.
• Avoid any contact with visible fire ant mounds.
• Call a pest control expert for a fire ant inspection and help with preventing a fire ant invasion to help keep you and your family enjoying the outdoors all summer long.

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