Black fire ants.

Closed Thread
Thread Tools
  #1  
Old 09-23-2012, 11:12 AM
Taltarzac725's Avatar
Taltarzac725 Taltarzac725 is offline
Sage
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 51,371
Thanks: 10,765
Thanked 3,948 Times in 2,392 Posts
Default Black fire ants.

I was walking around the Lynnhaven pool on the grass with my pooch with my sandals and bare feet yesterday afternoon and felt a sharp jab into my toe. It was like stepping into a needle.

I looked down and my right foot was covered with about 30 black ants. I brushed these off as quickly as I could. I also looked over my pooch to see if any ants got on him. Fortunately, he missed the group. I never saw any kind of ant mound.

My foot started hurting quite soon after that. I followed what some Internet sites said about treatment for ant bites.

Today I saw the tell-tale white pimple like signs of fire ant bites. I only got about 10 bites on my toes but they sure itch and sting.

I did not know fire ants come in both black and red. These black ant bites are actually worse than the red ant ones I have had before.

I will be more careful from now on and look out for red as well as black fire ants.

Fire ants are active and ready to bite | Highlands Today
  #2  
Old 09-23-2012, 11:21 AM
The Shadow's Avatar
The Shadow The Shadow is offline
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 387
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default

Put Clorox on bite immediately and let dry. The pain will stop and it will be red for a couple of days.
  #3  
Old 09-23-2012, 11:22 AM
hotrodgirl's Avatar
hotrodgirl hotrodgirl is offline
Gold member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Northfield IL, Tampa FL, Norway, Boynton Beach FL, Highland Park IL, Gilchrist soon!
Posts: 1,168
Thanks: 34
Thanked 9 Times in 4 Posts
Default

I have been bitten by fire ants and had such an allergic reaction I ended up on 2 rounds of steroids. But if you are not so inclined, Benadryl should help with the itching! Sorry you were bitten. It is quite painful as you stated :-(
__________________

Wherever I am is where I'm supposed to be
  #4  
Old 09-23-2012, 03:34 PM
Dancing Queen's Avatar
Dancing Queen Dancing Queen is offline
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: IN, OH, Ormond By the Sea FL, NC, The Villages
Posts: 259
Thanks: 5
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default

Thanks for the heads up.
Hope you heal and feel better soon.
  #5  
Old 09-23-2012, 03:37 PM
graciegirl's Avatar
graciegirl graciegirl is offline
Sage
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 40,192
Thanks: 5,029
Thanked 5,793 Times in 2,006 Posts
Send a message via AIM to graciegirl
Default

Tal. Put hydrocortozone cream on them. They hurt and itched bad for a week and I did try the bleach. Didn't work.
__________________
It is better to laugh than to cry.
  #6  
Old 09-23-2012, 08:46 PM
The Great Fumar's Avatar
The Great Fumar The Great Fumar is offline
Soaring Eagle member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Chatham
Posts: 2,017
Thanks: 0
Thanked 8 Times in 6 Posts
Default

Ok , here is Fumar's treatment for fire ant bites.....
FELS-NAPTHA SOAPuse water to make a little paste and rub it in.....
It works better than anything else ever concocted.........
It also works well on dog bites which is a bigger problem than ants.....
I always carry a bar in my golf cart in case I ever go by doggy-do-whatcha ma callit................

thats as nice as I'm going to get.....

fumar...........
__________________
My memory's not as sharp as it used to be, Also
my memory's not as sharp as it used to be.
  #7  
Old 09-24-2012, 06:30 AM
Bogie Shooter Bogie Shooter is offline
Sage
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 19,648
Thanks: 13
Thanked 6,015 Times in 2,674 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by The Great Fumar View Post
Ok , here is Fumar's treatment for fire ant bites.....
FELS-NAPTHA SOAPuse water to make a little paste and rub it in.....
It works better than anything else ever concocted.........
It also works well on dog bites which is a bigger problem than ants.....
I always carry a bar in my golf cart in case I ever go by doggy-do-whatcha ma callit................

thats as nice as I'm going to get.....

fumar...........
Fumar...............glad to see you back!
  #8  
Old 09-24-2012, 08:44 AM
Taltarzac725's Avatar
Taltarzac725 Taltarzac725 is offline
Sage
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 51,371
Thanks: 10,765
Thanked 3,948 Times in 2,392 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by The Great Fumar View Post
Ok , here is Fumar's treatment for fire ant bites.....
FELS-NAPTHA SOAPuse water to make a little paste and rub it in.....
It works better than anything else ever concocted.........
It also works well on dog bites which is a bigger problem than ants.....
I always carry a bar in my golf cart in case I ever go by doggy-do-whatcha ma callit................

thats as nice as I'm going to get.....

fumar...........
Welcome back Fumar. I thought you would Bounce back soon.
  #9  
Old 09-24-2012, 11:17 AM
mrdills mrdills is offline
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Villages
Posts: 410
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default

This is the best keep secret, I alway take a small tub of toothpaste with me when I go golfing, when they bite, I just spread it on the sting and in no time it goes away. I have no idea who stated this but it works.
  #10  
Old 09-24-2012, 11:40 AM
Taltarzac725's Avatar
Taltarzac725 Taltarzac725 is offline
Sage
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 51,371
Thanks: 10,765
Thanked 3,948 Times in 2,392 Posts
Default Farmers Almanac agrees with you with respect to fire ant bites and itching.

Quote:
Originally Posted by mrdills View Post
This is the best keep secret, I alway take a small tub of toothpaste with me when I go golfing, when they bite, I just spread it on the sting and in no time it goes away. I have no idea who stated this but it works.
Bug Bite? Reach for the toothpaste. | Farmers' Almanac
  #11  
Old 09-24-2012, 12:10 PM
Villages PL Villages PL is offline
Sage
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Belvedere
Posts: 5,279
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Smile

I hope you will consider wearing shoes and socks when walking in grassy areas in the future. A foot on a sandal is like an open-face sandwich.
  #12  
Old 09-24-2012, 12:38 PM
batman911's Avatar
batman911 batman911 is offline
Gold member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: The Villages, FL
Posts: 1,337
Thanks: 0
Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Villages PL View Post
I hope you will consider wearing shoes and socks when walking in grassy areas in the future. A foot on a sandal is like an open-face sandwich.
But then you will not feel them crawling until they get in your nickers, YIPES!
  #13  
Old 09-24-2012, 10:16 PM
Joaniesmom's Avatar
Joaniesmom Joaniesmom is offline
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Forsyth Villas, Briar Meadow
Posts: 434
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Send a message via Skype™ to Joaniesmom
Default

Now I'm panicking about walking my tiny dogs. What do other owners of little dogs do? Mine are multi-talented and can use wee-wee pads indoors if necessary. The thought of them getting covered with these awful stinging ants is making me sick! Any advice is definitely appreciated. BTW, the little ladies are 3 and 6 pounds. Thanks!
__________________



Joanie's mom
Pennsylvania, Ohio, The Villages
So happy to be here!
  #14  
Old 09-25-2012, 07:16 AM
Taltarzac725's Avatar
Taltarzac725 Taltarzac725 is offline
Sage
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 51,371
Thanks: 10,765
Thanked 3,948 Times in 2,392 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Joaniesmom View Post
Now I'm panicking about walking my tiny dogs. What do other owners of little dogs do? Mine are multi-talented and can use wee-wee pads indoors if necessary. The thought of them getting covered with these awful stinging ants is making me sick! Any advice is definitely appreciated. BTW, the little ladies are 3 and 6 pounds. Thanks!
Just have to watch out for any ant mounds. I have been walking my pooch around Lynnhaven pool for almost 5.5 years and this is the first time I have been stung by these fire ants.

I must have hit a scouting party as there were no mounds around.

I will be wearing boots and socks from now on when going to the postal center.

If I were more worried about not seeing the mounds or running into another scouting party of fire ants, I would just keep the pooches near the sidewalks at the postal centers.
  #15  
Old 09-25-2012, 07:23 AM
graciegirl's Avatar
graciegirl graciegirl is offline
Sage
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 40,192
Thanks: 5,029
Thanked 5,793 Times in 2,006 Posts
Send a message via AIM to graciegirl
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Taltarzac725 View Post
Just have to watch out for any ant mounds. I have been walking my pooch around Lynnhaven pool for almost 5.5 years and this is the first time I have been stung by these fire ants.

I must have hit a scouting party as there were no mounds around.

I will be wearing boots and socks from now on when going to the postal center.
Tal. They are vicious litlle b*******, I mean bugs. If one stings you they yell for the rest to attack and they have to be SCRAPED off. I got the itchy, hurty, reaction that developed into pustules that they urge you not to open. I was weeding and digging out Zoysia and a group of them thought I belonged to the other political party and ten or eleven of them piled on. My hand hurt for seven whole days. I used hydrocortozone and an effective non itch thing I got at the drug store called Sarna.

I feel for you! I will be wearing gloves and using a poking stick to pull back mulch from now on.

Joaniesmom. We have lived here for five years and I had just the one episode with them. Avoid the obvious mounds. Have your pest guy come when you see ant hills. They are very obvious. Don't let your pooches dig.
__________________
It is better to laugh than to cry.

Last edited by graciegirl; 09-25-2012 at 07:54 AM.
Closed Thread


You are viewing a new design of the TOTV site. Click here to revert to the old version.

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:45 AM.