Ants: A Classic Case of “Looks Can Be Deceiving”
These insects have attracted the attention of many people throughout history. Even the wisest man, Solomon, wrote about them, pointing to them as a source of inspiration for the lazy person. He advised the sluggard to consider the ways of the ant, and become wise. As tiny as they are, ants are a force to reckon with. They are armed with strength and perseverance.
Their social life, similar to that of bees, is very structured. You may be tempted to ignore a single ant, but don’t be deceived- they can cause damage beyond your wildest dreams. Here are three types of ants that can cause much harm to you.
Fire Ants
No, they don’t spit fire from their mouths like dragons. Their name is derived from their color- reddish-brown. They live in thousands- about 200,000 of them in a colony! But they aren’t cute and cuddly at all!
Fire ants also have a venomous sting, but their sting is not deadly. Instead, it can cause a great deal of pain, swelling and puss. The sting may also cause an allergic reaction which will land the person in the hospital. These ants are found throughout the US, and they will be very aggressive if you get too close to their nest. Read more at Payne Pest Mgmt
They live in mounds on the ground and therefore can only survive in moderate winters found in the South of America as well as the Southeast.
Bulldog Ants
They are also known as lion ants or jack jumper ants. But they are deadly. If ants could receive awards, this one would receive the “most dangerous ant” award. Their poison can kill you and therefore, they deserve your attention.
The Guinness world records for the world’s most dangerous ants belongs to Bulldog Ants. They are found in coastal regions in Australia. These ants are extremely aggressive. They show no fear of human beings or any animal. When attacked, Bulldog ant sting in rapid succession many times and thus inject more venom with each bite. It has very potent stings and its venom is the world’s most toxic among insects. The ant holds its victim with large, toothed mandibles, curling its body underneath and stabbing the sting into the skin, which causes serious life threatening allergic reactions. On a couple of events, Bulldog ants are known to kill an adult within 15 minutes. Since 1936, there have been at least 3 human casualties. Read more at Amazopedia
Hopefully, you won’t have to come across one in your lifetime, but who knows? Just like Fire Ants migrated to the US from South America, so can these ones.
Harvester Ants
These ants have almost the same color as fire ants, ranging from red to dark brown. Male harvester ants may have wings and they are bigger than their worker ant colleagues.
Harvester ants, a name derived from the fact that they “harvest” their food by scavenging and bringing it back to the colony, are one of the more popular species of ants found in Las Vegas. While they aren’t dangerous to your home, they can be dangerous to your health. Ants can contaminate food, and the longer a colony goes unchecked, the bigger it gets and the harder it is to eradicate…
Unlike scorpions or spiders, harvester ants do not have a deadly sting, but their bite can be painful. If you are bitten by an ant, watch the site for any signs of an allergic reaction. Even if you don’t have an allergic reaction, an ant bite is never pleasant and a good enough reason to keep these pests away from your home! Read more at Anver Pest Control
Although they like to live outdoors, these ants may end up in your home.
Regardless of the type of ants, you pretty much wouldn’t be comfortable with an army of them in your home. Worse still, they could cause structural damage to your home or health issues to your family members. To keep the ants away, you need a professional. Call Backyard Bug Patrol today to ensure your home is free from ants.