Did you know that there are over 1,000 species of ants in North America and that 250 of them are native to TX? That’s a lot of tiny bugs looking for food to eat! Fortunately, most species that live in Anna are not looking for ways to get into your home. Keeping this in mind, some that are trying to invade your living areas could be a threat to your health. Here are some things you should know about ants in Anna and what dangers they pose.
What Makes Ants Dangerous
All ants are capable of being dangerous. It all depends on where they find their food. Species like the Pharaoh ant are more likely to cause trouble because of their habit of scavenging for food inside trash cans. If you didn’t know, trash and other similar items contain bacteria and other disease-causing organisms. These organisms can be picked up onto the feet and bodies of tiny ants and then transported throughout homes. If you have a habit of leaving food out on countertops or snacks in accessible areas, ants might crawl over these goodies, leaving sickness vectors behind for you to consume.
Diseases Ants Spread
There are a few different diseases that ants have been known to carry and spread. The three most common are salmonella, staphylococcus, and clostridium. Here are some symptoms that often come with these sicknesses.
Salmonella: diarrhea, fever, stomach cramps. Symptoms start six hours to six days after infection and can last for up to a week.
Staphylococcus: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, low blood pressure, skin infections like pimples or boils, and bone infections that cause pain, redness, swelling, and warmth.
Clostridium: excessive diarrhea, severe cramping, fever, nausea, dehydration, loss of appetite and weight loss, and a rapid heart rate.
Do Ants Cause Asthma?
Something interesting is that some species of ants, like the Pharaoh ant, are connected to many instances where infestations lead to asthma attacks. In studies, an extract from these pests was used to test individuals to see if symptoms were elicited. Results showed that some patients with respiratory allergies were sensitive to this extract and had reactions.
Ants That Bite And Sting
Some species of ants that live in our area bite. One species, the red imported fire ant, bites and stings. These painful pests do not typically invade homes but are a huge problem around area properties. If you are allergic to insect venom, a sting from one of these pests could cause you serious health problems. If you are not allergic, then your reaction will most likely involve mild to moderate pain, a burning sensation, and itching that lasts for several days after the attack. To know if you are allergic to insect venom, consult with your doctor. He or she will perform the necessary tests and help you assess your risk.
One Fantastic Option To Control Ants Inside Your Anna Home
Ants are not the most dangerous pests you can have inside your home, but there is no denying that they pose a risk to human health. To make sure these pests and a range of other common and dangerous home-invading insects stay out of your home, let the experts at EcoArmor Pest Defense help you out today. Our team of licensed and highly trained technicians has been combating pests for years and would be happy to address any issues your home is having with invasive species.
Contact us now to walk through our home pest control and commercial pest control options and schedule your Anna home and property for a service visit.
