Fortunately Karachi isn’t home to dangerous ants, however, it doesn’t mean that ants aren’t harmful to us.
Since we don’t see many harmful ants’ emergency cases in Karachi, our upbringing doesn’t include taking cautious against ants’ home invasion. However, if you are one of the many unfortunate victims who has been bitten by ants, you would understand that pain and unpleasant experience and know how are ants harmful to humans.
But, how are ants harmful to human?
Ant sting is certainly one of the most potent harms that an ant can throw at humans. And while ants don’t carry many diseases like cockroaches or mosquitoes, they are surely harmful (read painful with their stings.
Depending upon the specie, an ant sting can vary in after effects that range from small pinch to burn for a while. That doesn’t look too bad, right? So, how are ants harmful to human lives? While the sting itself won’t be too painful, the real harm to humans lies in the acid that is released during the sting. It’s the acid from the jaws that are responsible for the obnoxious sensation one feels when bitten by an ant. And, while a single sting won’t be life-threatening to humans, an ant infestation can be hazardous; especially for children and older people.
Are there specific ants to look out for?
Yes. There are various ants’ species that are deadly and life-threatening for humans. And like we said, fortunately not many dangerous ant species are found in Karachi, there still are some that can be dangerous and harmful to humans; especially children and older people. Apart from been excruciating, the ant’s bites can be life-threatening to weak humans.
The most common types of ants you’ll find in Karachi include black ants, which although not as deadly as some of the other ants like bull ants or green tree ants, still come with strong jaws and an ability to blow a strong painful sting to humans. Thereby, if your home or apartment get infested with ants, you are more likely to be bitten by ants.
How are ants harmful to humans?
Once you are bitten by an ant, it would release acid into your body. The type and quantity of acid released can differ from one specie to another and the severity of its effects can vary from various factors (age, sex, strength, etc.). Now, a minimal reaction which I am sure most people have gone through is the red inflammation/swelling around the bite and most of the time it stops at that. However, in extreme cases or at times when the person is allergic/sensitive, it can grow to anaphylaxis. Thereby, even if it’s just the one bite, you need to be considerate about its effects and reactions which may include many symptoms including:
- Red inflammation
- Nausea
- Hives
- Dizziness
- Vomiting
- Fainting
- Wheezing
- BP loss
- Sneezing
- Chest tightness
- Itching
- Many more
To sum up how are ants harmful to humans, while there aren’t potentially life-threatening ant species found in Karachi, you need to keep a vigilant eye on home infestation and make sure you stay away from ants’ bites.