Fire Ants Kill Winter Texan in the RGV
http://www.krgv.com/news/local-news/Swarm-of-Fire-Ants-Attack-Winter-Texan/31933144
Forum Discussion
Johno02 wrote:
Fire ants are not an ant, and do not bite as such. They are a wingless wasp, and have stingers with venom, which is very irritating and painful. In large enough quantities it can kill. single stings jurt like crazy, and can leave a bad sore. I do not know the exact type of venom, or its effects other that it hurts like crazy. Don't know if it ia a neurotoxin or what.
You are confused with what are called Velvet ants. They are the wingless wasp you describe.
Firs ants are ants and in fact they both bite you and sting you.
They bite into your skin to "anchor" themselves and then when the pheromone to sting is released they drive their stingers, located at the rear of their abdomen into your skin. Also the ants sting all at the same time.
There are two major species: Imported Fire and Red Fire Ant. Both are prevalent in the southern U.S. Both have the same behavior and each are just as dangerous as the other.
You don't have to believe me, I only spent 30 years in commercial pest control. Goggle "IFAS fire ants" and there is a world of information there.
