How to treat ant bites.

Ants may not be as gross as cockroaches or as damaging as termites, but you certainly don’t want to see them running around your home. One reason why they’re so annoying is that their bite can cause pain, itching, and a throbbing, burning sensation. Kids and pets are especially vulnerable to being bitten, so it’s important to know what you can do about it. That’s why we’re going to discuss how to treat ant bites and then give you a quick rundown of how to avoid these insects in the first place.

How to Treat Ant Bits Properly

Ant bites are rarely dangerous or life-threatening unless you’re allergic to them, but ant bites can be very irritating and painful. Let’s take a look at how to treat ant bites, including some home remedies for fire ants and other popular Florida species:

• Hydrocortisone Cream — If you’re looking for a quick, medical remedy, then it’s time to grab some hydrocortisone cream. This will do wonders in alleviating the itching sensation, swelling, and redness.
• Ice Pack — You can also reach for an ice pack if you’ve experienced an ant bite. While this may not work like a soothing ointment, the coldness can numb the area and make the pain and swelling go away.
• Toothpaste — People were amazed when they figured out that toothpaste could fix scratches on DVDs, so we’re guessing that it’s equally mystifying that it can help with ant bites. For the best results, apply a baking soda-based toothpaste to the affected area.
• Apple Cider Vinegar — Not only is apple cider vinegar a go-to health supplement, but its acidity relieves the stinging sensation of an ant bite. For immediate relief, mix it with a little water and then apply it to your skin.
• Honey — Honey may be known as a surefire way to attract ants, but it can also help with ant bites. Just a couple drops can reduce redness, itching, and swelling.
• Lemon Juice — Lemon juice is also quite effective due to its acidity. Simply squeeze a little bit into a bowl and apply it to your skin.
• Baking Soda — If you have any baking soda in the fridge, take it out and mix a few teaspoons with a bit of water to form a paste. This will alleviate the pain and swelling quite quickly.
• Salt — Although it’s not quite as effective as baking soda, salt is a good alternative. Dissolve a small amount in water and then apply it to the bite for instant relief.

How to Prevent Ants from Entering Your Home

Learning proper ant control methods can almost seem like an art form at times, given the fact that these creatures often pop up without warning. Knowing the basics of how to treat ant bites is important, but you can head them off at the pass by learning how to prevent them from getting into your home and causing problems:

• Keep Your Kitchen Clean — The first rule of thumb when you’re trying to prevent ants is to keep your kitchen clean. This means that you should be routinely sweeping, wiping counters, and cleaning up crumbs.
• Don’t Leave Food Out — If you tend to have ants on your property, leaving leftovers out on the counter will sometimes lead to a swarm in just half an hour. Be sure to not leave leftovers sitting around, especially in places near walls where they might be more easily detected.
• Use Airtight Containers — Ants have an amazing sense of smell, making it easy for them to detect food inside your cupboards and sometimes fridge. You can help prevent this by placing all fresh and leftover food items into airtight containers.
• Seal Cracks & Crevices — Ants are quite small, which means they can easily slip through cracks and crevices in areas such as the edges of your doors and windows. If you see any of these problem areas, seal them with weather-stripping, caulk, or spray foam.
• Close Garbage Can Lids — It’s very common to walk into your kitchen one day and see a line of ants going from the wall or floor to your garbage can. Keeping the lid securely closed and taking out the garbage on a regular basis will help prevent this.

Contact ProHealth Pest Control to Learn How to Treat Ant Bites

ProHealth Pest Control uses organic pest control methods to get rid of ants, cockroaches, bed bugs, termites, rodents, arachnids, and many other pests. If you have more questions on how to treat ant bites or are in need of residential or commercial pest control, reach out to us at (727) 308-4087 today.