Ants are the worst. They always seem to end up in the wrong spots (like your pants) at the wrong time when all you’re trying to do is enjoy the great outdoors. On the flip side, if you’re sitting on top of their home or putting them in danger, it’s understandable why ants would want to bite you. The way ants defend themselves depends on their species. In order to keep yourself safe while outdoors, be sure to learn whether specific ants bite or sting. 

An Ant Guide: Which Species Bite vs. Sting

Red Imported Fire Ants

Bite or Sting: Both

When threatened, fire ants can both sting and bite. Their stings feel like you are getting burned by fire and can leave a cluster of swollen red spots that eventually turn into a blister. The aftermath of these stings usually last about a week and can be extremely itchy.

Harvester Ants

Bite or Sting: Sting

Harvester ants are ruthless. If they feel threatened, they aren’t afraid to unleash the beast and sting their prey multiple times. Fortunately, their stings only causes minor pain, and will subside within a couple of hours. 

Carpenter Ants

Bite or Sting: Bite

Carpenter ants can grow to be 6 to 12 mm in length and pack quite a big bite. You have to be careful with these bites because they are able to break the skin and will sometimes spray a defensive chemical (formic acid) into the wound.

Acrobat Ants

Bite or Sting: Sting

While these ants have the ability to sting, they usually only sting their prey for food. They love to feed on sweets and are usually found in areas of your kitchen like the pantry or in cupboards. If you find these little guys inside your home, be sure to contact us right away, as they can cause some serious property damage. 

Dealing with ants isn’t fun, and to the untrained eye, they can all look the same. If you see any ants in or around your home, be sure to contact us so we can help you identify and deal with them so that your family stays safe and sound.