If you’ve had ants in your home, you know it can be tough to get rid of them. Fortunately, most ant species can’t harm us, but there are ants that can cause serious problems. In rare cases, ants can spread food-borne illnesses or bacteria.
Red fire ants are most well known for their painful sting, which can sometimes cause an allergic reaction. These ants inject venom into their victims, and for some people, large numbers of bites can cause anaphylaxis. Those who have been bitten more than once by fire ants experience more severe reactions the next time they are bitten. It’s important to seek treatment if you have reactions like dizziness, shortness of breath, and severe swelling.