Ants are one of the few insects that we view positively. Even when they are in our home, we mostly regard them as a nuisance, and rarely as a pest. However, there are plenty of ant species out there, and while most are hardworking and benevolent, there are a few that are truly dangerous. In this article, we’re going to look at these dangerous ant species.
Bulldog ant
The bulldog ant is currently recognized as the most dangerous ant species in the world. Located in Australia, this extremely aggressive ant will both bite and sting at the same time, injecting venom strong enough to kill a grown man in 15 minutes.
Fire ant
Fire ants also have a venomous sting, but their sting is not deadly. Instead, it can cause a great deal of pain, swelling and puss. The sting may also cause an allergic reaction which will land the person in the hospital. These ants are found throughout the US, and they will be very aggressive if you get too close to their nest.
Bullet ant
Scientists believe that the bullet ant has the most painful bite of any ant species in the world, and the name “bullet ant” comes from the fact that the bite is as painful as a bullet wound. This ant is usually found in South America, and if it wasn’t bad enough that the bite was extremely painful, the pain of the bite will last for up to 24 hours.
Florida harvester ant
The Florida harvester ant is another deadly ant species that carries a venom similar to that of the cobra. It’s a venom that is very lethal to human beings, and the ants themselves give no outward sign of just how dangerous they can be. You will often look at them and think that you are dealing with common house ants. However, when provoked, these ants will immediately get on the offensive.
Green tree ant
The green tree ants are not very deadly, but they can build their nests in trees by stitching together leaves, with one colony having as many as 500,000 members. These ants are very protective of their nest and they are known to bite multiple times when they attack.
Most of these species are not found in the US in very large numbers, with the exception of the fire ant, but you cannot be too careful when dealing with ants. It’s easy to let our guards down when we see these insects, but we need to keep in mind that there are some species out there that can be truly dangerous. Contact us today if you have an infestation and you need to get rid of it.
