| Fire Ants Crawling Toward Outer Banks | ||
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| * | Officials at the North Carolina State Department of Agriculture indicate North Carolina's fire ant infestation is increasing due to mild winters and increased migration by the ants into the state. The result of this larger population of fire ants combined with increased residential and commercial development into their habitat has initiated more contact between humans and the little red ant that will attack and sting anything that disturbs it. Symptoms of a fire ant sting include burning and itching, which usually goes away within an hour. The bite is followed by the formation of a small blister within a few hours. After a day a white pustule may appear at the bite. Although the stings are not usually life threatening, they are easily infected and may leave permanent scars. | |
Up to 6 % of the population may experience an allergic reaction to a fire ant sting that may become life threatening. This usually occurs with victims sensitized by a previous sting. Signs of an allergic reaction may include flushing, general hives, swelling of the face, eyes, throat, chest pains, nausea, severe sweating, loss of breath or slurred speech. When this happens the victim should seek emergency medical assistance immediately. |  Fire ant stings that have formed pustules |   Buy at AllPosters.com |
During the sting process the fire ant firmly grasps the skin with its jaws. The fire ant then arches its back and inserts its stinger deeply into the skin to inject its venom. The fire ant is capable of inflicting seven to eight stings like this in quick succession to the victim. | ||
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