Black ants are one of the most dominant varieties of ants in America. These are usually harmless, but some of them are quite harmful to your house and humans alike.
Do black ants bite? Of course, most of them bite, but the main question is, do ants sting? Most of them bite, but not all of their stings are fatal or harmful to humans or animals.
Though most of it may not seem like a significant problem in your daily life, it can be dangerous when black ants actually bite you. It is important for you to know how they affect humans, how to identify these ants, and how to handle the situation when they bite. Read on to find out.
Key takeaways
- Black ants are dominant in America, and some are harmful to humans and homes.
- Ants bite to protect their nests or prey, and their stings can cause itching, pain, swelling, and inflammation.
- Different black ant species have varying effects on humans when they bite, from harmless to dangerous.
- When bitten, disinfect the area, apply a cold compress, and seek medical attention if there are severe symptoms or allergic reactions.
Why do ants bite?
There are two reasons why ants bite. They either bite to protect their nests or colonies from being destroyed. Or they bite other animals and prey to consume them and feed on them or grow their clan. When their nests are threatened, they become defensive and can use their stingers to bite humans or animals.
What happens when ants bite?
Most ant bites cause a local reaction in and around the bitten area, leading to itching, pain, a swollen red spot, or inflammation. But some of them can be highly damaging around the house and can have allergic reactions. For example, fire ant stings are known to cause anaphylaxis in people with allergies due to the strong venom and can become life-threatening.
Each ant sting has different “ant acids” or venom that contain poisonous toxins and has diverse effects on humans.
Types of black ants that bite
There are many different black ants, and each of their stings is different and has different effects on humans.
Black carpenter ants
Black carpenter ants or Camponotus pennsylvanicus have strong jaws that can make holes through woods, making their stings really powerful. They are tiny and black and bite only when provoked. Their stings release a small amount of formic acid and can have a long-lasting burn on your skin.
Signs you’ve been bitten
People encounter swelling, redness, itching, and pain in the bitten area on their skin.
Is it dangerous?
Black carpenter ant bites are not fatal, but they are painful, and the symptoms can last for hours after the bite.
Acrobat ants
Acrobat ants or Crematogaster are small to medium in size and have light brown to dark brown color. They are generally found under unmoved rocks or objects and can sting when they hear vibrations from footsteps. Their stings are not very harmful in general.
Signs you’ve been bitten
Acrobat ant bite leads to redness and swelling of the affected region that can last for a few hours to a day.
Is it dangerous?
Acrobat ant bites are not dangerous or life-threatening. But seek medical advice if symptoms last longer than a couple of days.
Black imported fire ants
Black imported fire ants or Solenopsis richteri are black or dark brown in color, and are only ¼ of an inch. Their stings are really painful and can cause excruciating pain. They bite when disturbed and can bite thousands of living things that come in their way.
Signs you’ve been bitten
The aggressive bites can lead to severe pain, swelling, and red patches. Severe cases can even end in anaphylactic shock, requiring immediate medical attention.
Is it dangerous?
The black imported fire ant certainly does. They might be tiny, but they bite pretty hard and can be very dangerous for humans if not immediately looked into.
Pavement ants
Pavement ants or Tetramorium immigrans primarily reside on pavements and can enter human homes in search of food and water. They do not bite, but they can sting when provoked. In general, these ants are very harmless and non-aggressive and avoid any confrontation with humans.
Signs you’ve been bitten?
Pavement ants do not bite.
Is it dangerous?
No, Pavement ants do not bite; even their sting is not dangerous. They also do not cause any damage to houses, so they are mostly harmless.
What should you do when bitten?
Thankfully most ant bites are not fatal or life-threatening. However, these are things you can do when they bite.
- Disinfect the bitten area with some antiseptic.
- Apply a cold compress on the swollen or paining area.
- If the redness remains, you can add a bandage to the affected area and cover it up to heal
- Do not give in to the temptation of scratching the area
- If you see other reactions like fever or increasing pain after a few hours, or violent allergic reactions, immediately visit your doctor
Protect yourself from ant bites
Most ant bites are not life-threatening like the carpenter ant bite. However, the black imported fire ant bite can be quite dangerous. But both can be equally uncomfortable in the everyday life of your family. The best way to ensure complete ant and pest-free comfortable living for your family is to get help from the professionals for ant control.
Request an appointment with us to make your house ant-free, identify all ant-infested places, and get rid of all worries about bad ant bites.
