Ant bites can leave you in pain and wondering what might happen next. Learning about ant bites can help you treat them and feel better faster.
Ants are tiny insects that have pinchers or stingers they can use to harm threats, including humans. Their bites cause swelling, redness, pain, itching, or possible allergic reactions. They usually go away on their own and may last one to three days.
Keep reading for more detailed information about ant bites. You might also want to read my three related articles “Mite Bites On Humans“, “How To Get Rid Of Fire Ants“ and “Spider Bites On Humans – A Complete Guide“.
What Are Ant Bites?
An ant bite occurs when ants feel threatened by humans. These insects bite using their jaws or pinchers on their heads.
When an ant bites, it seizes a portion of your skin using its pinchers and releases formic acid. Some folks may be allergic to formic acid, leading to an allergic reaction following an ant bite.
Certain ants can also deliver a sting by injecting venom into the skin, which can cause significant pain. However, ants only bite or sting when they feel threatened.
What Are Ants?
An ant is an insect from the Formicidae family. They vary in size depending on the type of ant, ranging from approximately 1/16 inches to 1 inch long.
Ants typically come in black, brown, or red colors and have segmented bodies (head, thorax, and abdomen) connected by a narrow waist. They possess two antennae and six legs.
Except for Greenland, Iceland, Antarctica, and certain island nations, ants are found almost everywhere. Often, they reside in decaying plants or mounds made of soil and leaves.
Which Ants Bite?
There are more than 12,000 ant species worldwide, and they all live in colonies similar to bees. While some ants are harmless to humans, others can bite or sting as a defense mechanism.
Several common ant species bite or sting, including:
Fire Ants
Fire ants are aggressive and venomous insects, primarily found in the southern United States. They’re usually bright red or black, equipped with pinchers on their heads and stingers on their rear ends.
Fire ants earned their name because their stings release venom that causes a burning sensation. Also, you might know them colloquially as “red ants” due to their color.
Carpenter Ants
Carpenter ants are about 1/2 inch to 5/8 inch long, with pinchers on their heads. Most carpenter ants are black but can also be red or brown.
These ants are named for their ability to build nests inside wood, often preferring environments near moist, rotting, or damp wood. Fortunately, though their bites are painful, carpenter ants don’t have venom.
Flying Ants
When ants aim to expand their colonies, the queen ant produces winged males. All ant species, including carpenter and fire ants, have flying members.
Flying ants typically emerge during warm temperatures following rain and high humidity, usually in late spring and early summer. Bites or stings from flying ants occur when they feel threatened and need to defend themselves, but they do not pose an active threat to humans unless disturbed.
Field Ants
Field ants are often mistaken for fire ants due to their red coloration. However, a distinction between the two lies in the absence of a stinger in field ants.
Fire ants, on the other hand, exhibit more aggressive behavior, while field ants typically only resort to biting when provoked. A bite from a field ant feels like a pinching sensation.
Sugar Ants
These ants have a particular fondness for sugary substances, which can be bothersome during a picnic on a warm summer day. Sugar ants range from 1/16 to a half-inch long.
Male sugar ants are usually black, while female ants may have an orange hue to their bodies. If threatened, sugar ants can defend themselves using the pinchers on their heads.
Sugar ant bites aren’t usually painful but can potentially cause allergic reactions.
How Do Ant Bites Affect My Body?
The impact of an ant bite on your body can vary depending on the ant species involved. While some ant bites may cause little to no pain, others are painful.
In general, most ant pinchers aren’t large enough to cause significant harm to humans. However, fire ants, in particular, inflict painful bites by injecting venom under the skin when they sting.
If you’re allergic to the chemical compounds produced by ants, the reaction can be more severe compared to someone who isn’t. Allergic individuals may experience heightened symptoms and potentially more pronounced effects on their bodies following an ant bite or sting.
Symptoms of Ant Bites
Symptoms of ant bites range in severity. Bites can occur anywhere on your body but often bite on your feet, legs, or hands if you come into direct contact with an ant mound or colony.
Symptoms of ant bites include:
- A sharp pinch on your skin.
- Redness at the bite site.
- Mild swelling around the bite.
Ant Sting Symptoms
Some ants sting humans if threatened. In addition to the bite symptoms above, symptoms of an ant sting include:
- Pain or a burning sensation.
- Redness and/or swelling.
- Itching.
- A small bump (like a pimple) on your skin that turns into a blister filled with pus.
Severe fire ant stings can lead to intense burning and pain for a short time. It’s important to avoid scratching ant stings, which could break the skin and lead to an infection.
Often, you’ll experience several stings at the same time because fire ants typically attack in groups. The itching could last for a few days after the sting occurs.
Symptoms of Allergic Reactions to Ant Bites or Stings
When your immune system reacts too strongly to being bitten by an ant, it can cause severe symptoms. Allergic reactions from an ant bite might look like this:
- Hives and swelling that appear anywhere on your body
- Itchiness throughout your body
- Abdominal pain
- Tightness in your chest and/or difficulty breathing
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness
Although rare, severe allergic reactions can lead to mastocytosis or anaphylaxis and are life-threatening. Call 911 or visit the emergency room immediately if you experience any symptoms of an allergic reaction following an ant bite.
Ant Bite Appearance
Ant bites typically create a distinct mark on the skin resembling a pimple. This mark is characterized by its red to purple coloration and raised elevation.
In some cases, the ant bite may resemble a bullseye pattern, particularly if it’s from a fire ant sting. Fire ant stings can lead to the formation of a pus-filled blister, surrounded by a dark red circle, with the blister itself appearing light pink to white in color.
How To Treat Ant Bites
Ant bites typically resolve on their own without requiring specific treatment. However, if you experience discomfort from the symptoms, there are options to alleviate them.
In most cases, you can manage the treatment at home. You only need to visit your healthcare provider if your symptoms are severe.
Promptly clean the bite area with antibacterial soap and water to prevent infections. Also, trapping and identifying the ant that bit you can help your healthcare provider determine the appropriate treatment options.
Ant Bite Swelling Treatment
If an ant bite results in swelling, there are several treatment options to alleviate it, including:
- Applying ice or a cold compress to the bite area to reduce swelling.
- Using antihistamines or topical creams (such as hydrocortisone) to relieve itching.
- Taking acetaminophen to alleviate pain.
- Using corticosteroids to reduce swelling.
- In the case of an allergic reaction, receiving an epinephrine injection.
Should I Pop My Ant Bite?
It’s best to avoid popping the resulting blister when dealing with an ant bite. Popping the blister can introduce bacteria and germs into the area, potentially leading to an infection.
Treat your blister like you would a cut or wound. Cleanse the area gently with antibacterial soap and water, then cover it with a bandage.
I Popped My Ant Bite, What Should I Do?
If you clean the wound and apply antibacterial cream, you’ll be fine. Also, you can watch out for signs of infection, such as:
- Fever, chills, or difficulty breathing.
- Increased pain and tenderness around the bite.
- Swelling that worsens or expands.
- Draining of cloudy fluid from the wound.
- Formation of a yellow crust or scab around the blister.
When Will My Ant Bite Go Away?
The duration of ant bites can vary, but in general, they tend to resolve within a day or two.
However, it’s important to note that fire ant stings may take longer to heal due to the amount of venom injected into the skin. Typically, it can take three to seven days for a fire ant sting to subside and for you to experience relief.
Contact your healthcare provider for further evaluation and guidance if your symptoms persist beyond a week.
Ant Bite Prevention
There are several preventive measures you can take when in an environment with ants, including:
- Wear protective clothing: Closed-toe shoes, long pants, gloves, and high socks keep ants from biting by creating a barrier between your skin and the ants.
- Avoid ant-infested areas: Be mindful of ant mounds or areas with known ant infestations. Avoiding these areas can significantly lower the risk of encountering ants and getting bitten.
- Use insect repellent: There are various insect repellents available, including those containing DEET or picaridin. Consult with your healthcare provider to determine the most suitable option for you.
- Familiarize yourself with ant habitats: Educate yourself about the appearance of ant mounds and their typical habitats. This knowledge will help you recognize and avoid areas where ants are likely to reside, minimizing the risk of encountering them.
- Get Rid of Ants: Take measures to keep ants away from your home. You can follow my guides on How To Get Rid Of Fire Ants, or How To Get Rid Of Carpenter Ants for assistance.
By following these preventive measures, you can proactively reduce your risk of getting bitten by ants and enjoy a safer environment.