Ant bites can cause fatal allergic reactions
They are small but terrible. They can cause life-threatening allergic reactions, fatal infections and fires. In case you’re wondering what kind of critter this is, we are talking about the common household ant that many people take for granted.
Ants may be small but they can cause big problems at home and affect a person’s health. Of the hundreds of ant species in the Philippines, the three types that invade households are the black garden ant, the brown pharaoh ant, and the tropical fire ant. Below is a rundown of the problems they cause:
Bites, stings, and venom. Ant bites are not only painful but can cause swelling and rashes. The tropical fire ant, for instance, can sting a person with its deadly venom. This is a threat to people who are allergic to ant venom and may require emergency treatment. Depending on the severity, an allergic reaction to ant venom can be fatal.
Contamination and diseases. Here’s another reason we should not take an ant infestation for granted: Ants can carry harmful bacteria that cause serious diseases. Some ants eat decomposing plants and animals. When ants go from their feeding area into the house, they could carry harmful germs. One good example is the pharaoh ant that can carry the salmonella bacteria responsible for potentially fatal infections.
Damage at home. The carpenter ant can damage homes by burrowing tunnels through wooden structures. Other ant species like the red fire ant or the Asian super ant are known to dwell in places with flowing electrical currents. These ants may accidentally damage appliances or cause electrical fires.
It is impossible to kill every ant you see for they greatly outnumber people. One convenient and effective way to get rid of ants that invade your home is by using Optigard Ant Bait that contains thiamethoxam, a powerful ingredient that kills ants.
Optigard attracts ants so they take the bait. Secondly, ants exposed to the bait bring it back to their nests where they share it with the rest of the colony. This will expose more ants in the nest to the bait’s killing action, including the colony’s queen. This eliminates the colony and keeps your home ant-free for at least three months.
This product comes in a colorless gel form so there is no staining or dripping. The gel is contained in a syringe applicator and can be applied in areas where ants frequently pass through.
Source: The Manila Times
Published: 01 June 2014
Category: Education, Health alert
