How to treat an ant bite.

Truth be told, ants aren’t nearly as bad as many other pests such as cockroaches, silverfish, rats, termites, or even flies. They keep to themselves, don’t chew through cabinets or wires, and won’t harm the structure of your property. They can transport disease, but are not actual carriers, so there usually isn’t a concern there, either.

That being said, an ant infestation is something that you must take care of right away. Not only can one or two ants become hundreds very quickly, but these little critters have a bite that is painful and unpleasant. Let’s look at some of the symptoms of both normal and allergic reactions, how to treat an ant bite, and a few ways to keep them out of your home.

Symptoms of Ant Bites

Every type of ant can deliver venom to a person or animal that they deem to be a threat. There are three primary symptoms of an ant bite: pain, swelling, and redness. Depending on the type of ant, the severity of the pain can greatly differ. For example, fire ants and large red ants deliver a more potent pain response, whereas small black ants, while slightly unpleasant, will typically result in irritation more than anything else. However, all bets are off if you suffer from an allergic reaction caused by ant bites.

Potential Allergic Reactions

Children are often more susceptible to ant bites due to having a lower threshold of pain than adults. However, while allergic reactions to an ant bite occur in fewer than 1% of kids, they occur in approximately 3% of adults. These reactions can differ greatly and fall into these two categories:

• Local Reactions — The most basic of allergic reactions, this can be a mild or slightly more severe reaction. The redness and swelling can last just a couple of days or more possibly up to 10 days, but there’s no medical danger.
• Systemic Reactions — If an ant bite disrupts the gastrointestinal system, you may experience diarrhea, stomach cramps, and/or vomiting. Severe reactions may cause dizziness, hypotension, hoarseness, and/or chest pain. If these occur, visit your doctor immediately.

How to Treat an Ant Bite

Whether you experience a normal or allergic reaction to ant bites, the pain and redness can be bothersome. Here are some quick tips on how to treat an ant bite in case it happens to you or someone in your household:

• Cold Compress — Apply for 20 minutes, then off for 20 minutes to reduce swelling.
• Hydrocortisone Cream — This will relieve the itching sensation.
• Antihistamine — If you have a local allergic reaction, this will help.
• Antibiotic Ointment — If you’ve been scratching the area, this will prevent infection.
• Oatmeal Bath — Soaking in a tub with an oatmeal bath treatment will reduce itching.

How to Prevent an Infestation

The best way prevent or get rid of an infestation is to have a professional company visit your home or business that specializes in organic pest control. Now that we’ve shared with you how to treat an ant bite, we’ve decided to also provide a few prevention tips that you can follow between professional visits:

• Keep Your Eyes Open — Take note of any ants you see, either inside or outside your home.
• Seal Up Openings — Ants can get in through very small cracks and holes, so seal them up.
• Clean Up Food — These bugs are easily attracted to food, so don’t leave anything out.
• Have Traps Ready — Keep a few ant traps handy to get rid of a small number of them.

ProHealth Pest Control in Clearwater Knows How to Treat an Ant Bite

Learning how to treat an ant bite isn’t difficult, but getting rid of an infestation can be tricky. ProHealth Pest Control is always standing by with our eco-friendly pest control methods to help with ant control, rodent control, cockroach control, bed bug control, and termite control in Clearwater, just to name a few. For a free estimate or any questions, contact us through call our team at (727) 308-4129 to schedule a no-cost consultation.