Ant bite – does it hurt and is it dangerous?

Native ant species are insects whose bites should not cause drastic reactions in healthy people (although you should be aware that some Polish insects can be aggressive and actually bite!). However, the situation is different for people with allergies or those bitten by ants from one of the invasive species. You can read more about the details in today’s article – find out if and how painful this can be and whether it can also be dangerous to your health.

Why do ants bite?

Let’s start with why ants bite in the first place. As it turns out, they have their own little ant reasons.

If you are interested in interesting facts about ants, you surely know that these insects can bite for one reason only – when they feel threatened. This means that in order to defend themselves, their nest or even their food, ants can actually bite.

Of course, it is not always possible to explain to such an ant that you do not intend to harm it – so even if you have no bad intentions, you may still be exposed to its aggressive reaction.

What does an ant bite look like?

How to recognise an ant bite? Is the bite always visible? And why can it be painful? Read below to find out how it happens and what symptoms it can cause!

Photos of ant bites are not always reliable – you need to know that the appearance of the skin after a bite will depend on two factors – the species of ant and the natural, individual reaction of the human body.

However, an ant bite is not exactly what one might imagine. The insect uses its sharp mandibles to cut the skin and inject its venom, which is largely formic acid. This can result in a normal local reaction (response). Ant bite marks may resemble mosquito or other insect bites.

If the ant is not classified as a species that is dangerous to health, there will be slight redness and, possibly, a slight burning sensation or pain. Such symptoms usually disappear naturally within a few hours.

However, mass bites – for example, as a result of falling into an anthill – are much more dangerous. In such cases, even potentially “safe” ant species become dangerous. In this situation, it is not so much the toxicity of the venom that matters, but its quantity. A significant number of bites can lead to poisoning, an intense allergic reaction and the need for medical attention.

Warning – allergy sufferers should be careful, as an allergy to ants is always a reason for caution.

An ant bite can be problematic and dangerous in several cases. Firstly, if it is a representative of a toxic species (which we will discuss in more detail in the following paragraphs), such a bite can be quite painful and sometimes even dangerous to your health.

Secondly, an ant bite on a child should always and without exception be monitored. In young children, the immune system can react in different ways, even after some time, and the child’s lower body weight can contribute to a more intense effect of formic acid on the body.

Thirdly, allergy to ant venom poses a significant risk to the health and life of an allergic person in the event of a bite! In such a situation, the erythema that develops after the bite can spread significantly around the wound, also leading to local urticaria. The site of the ant bite often becomes very warm to the touch, and swelling may also occur. In extreme cases and with severe allergies, shortness of breath and anaphylactic shock may occur, posing a real threat to the patient’s life!

If you know that you are allergic to ant venom or notice an excessive reaction to a sting, seek medical help immediately!

A professional and home remedy for ant bites

Ant bite – what to apply to the site of the “attack”? Unless you have an allergic reaction, you will probably be fine without additional help. Of course, it is always better to disinfect the wound with home remedies (e.g. spirit-based) and keep an eye on it. You can also apply ice packs.

If the itching is quite persistent, you can use over-the-counter gels and creams for insect bites. Hydrocortisone ointment may also be helpful in relieving the discomfort.

Ants, whose bites can be both painful and dangerous

As we mentioned at the beginning, most Polish ant species are harmless to humans, but even among them there are a few that are particularly dangerous!

The first example is red ants – a bite from this insect can be quite painful, and the mark left by the bite remains visible for a long time. In addition, a bite from a red ant (Manica rubida) can cause more intense itching.

Staying on the subject of domestic insects, a pharaoh ant bite can also cause mild pain and a reaction. Allergy sufferers should also be particularly wary of red ants, whose bites can cause an allergic reaction. And what about species from outside Poland or Europe?

We now know where the name fire ants comes from. A bite from this species of insect (naturally found in South America, from where it has spread to warm European countries) causes pain comparable to a burn from fire.

Among other species, we can mention ants Myrmecia brevinoda, which can fight aggressively for food and defend themselves against intruders.

In addition to mandibles, they also have a sharp sting, and their sting can resemble that of a bee. Their bite can lead to reactions such as shortness of breath and a drop in blood pressure. It is also painful and can be dangerous not only for children but also for adults. They are also large ants, which makes them even more frightening for people who do not have much to do with ants on a daily basis.

“Safe” ants – their bite is not dangerous (or they do not bite at all)

Although in the case of allergy sufferers or small children, one should never assume that any species is safer than others, choosing ants for home breeding is possible and not necessarily difficult (we recommend, of course, caution and gentle handling of the insects so as not to make them feel threatened).

When looking for ants suitable for children or novice breeders who want to avoid accidental bites, it is worth paying special attention to species native to Europe:

• Messor barbarus,
• Crematogaster scutellaris,
• Pheidole pallidula,
• Lasius niger.

These species do not have stingers, are quite docile and tend to focus on their own affairs (and their nest, of course) rather than attacking people. Caring for them should not be a problem even for children, although at the very beginning it is worth learning how to properly maintain the colony together with your little one.