Usually, we take ants for granted—but do you know that an ant infestation can cause major problems for our health and home? There are hundreds of ant species in the Philippines but households usually get invaded by three types of ants, in general: the black garden ant, the brown Pharaoh ant, and the tropical fire ant. Below are the threats from an ant infestation:
Bites, stings, and venom. Ant bites are not only painful but can cause swelling or even rashes. There are ants, like the tropical fire ant, that sting and inject venom. These are more dangerous; people who are allergic to ant venom may need emergency treatment. Depending on its 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 the ants go from their feeding area into your house, they are potentially carrying harmful germs. Pharaoh ants are known carriers of the salmonella bacteria, which causes potentially fatal infections.
