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Rising numbers -

In March 2025, the number of people stung by red fire ants has increased significantly in Australia.

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Statistics -

According to national broadcaster ABC, over 20 people have required hospital treatment since the beginning of March 2025.

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Red fire ants in Australia -

Red fire ants are originally from South America, but people in the state of Queensland, in northeastern Australia, have been battling them for years.

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Reason for rise in numbers -

Now the number of attacks on people has exploded, as torrential rains have caused the insects to move above ground and build rafts to move to new areas.

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Painful and itchy -

Red fire ant bites are painful and itchy, and, in rare cases, they can cause a life-threatening reaction in humans.

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Characteristics of red fire ants -

Red fire ants are small insects that range from one millimeter to five millimeters in size. They have six legs and two pinching mandibles that protrude from their heads.

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Invasive species -

As previously mentioned, red fire ants are native to South America. However, they have been imported to various countries worldwide and are a very invasive species.

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When they bite you -

In general, red fire ants live in large numbers in nests or colonies under the ground. They tend to lash out and bite when someone accidentally steps on their nest.

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The biting process -

When a red fire ant bites you, it first attaches its mandibles to your skin. It then curves back and inserts its stinger, injecting venom.

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Multiple stings -

Red fire ants can sting multiple times at once, and they generally will do so unless you kill them or remove them from your skin.

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Reported extreme reactions -

Since March 1, 2025, the National Fire Ant Eradication Program has received at least 60 reports of extreme reactions to fire ant stings.

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Over 20 hospitalizations -

All those 60 some people required medical attention, and over 20 of them had to hospitalized while they were treated for their bites.

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Sore feet -

One construction worker told ABC Rural, for example, that his feet were covered in sores after repeated fire ant bites.

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Pets also affected -

Another Queensland local reported that she had found her puppy dead on top of a fire ant nest.

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Dealing with the problem -

In a bid to deal with the outbreak, the Queensland state government has announced that it will invest AU$24 million (US$15 million) in fire ant suppression measures.

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Symptoms of a red fire ant bite -

If you think you may have been bitten by a fire ant, there is a progression of symptoms to look out for. First, you will experience a burning or stinging sensation.

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Itchy bumps or welts -

Then, within about an hour, itchy bumps or welts will develop. These generally appear in a circular or semi-circular pattern.

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Blisters -

After several hours, blisters will start to develop where the bumps were located. They are generally very itchy.

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Seven to 10 days -

About a day or so later, those blisters will start to fill with a yellow or white pus-like fluid. They tend to stick around for seven to 10 days.

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More serious reactions -

As we have seen in the Australian news reports, some people have a more serious reaction to stings from these insects. Serious reactions can be local, systemic, or anaphylactic.

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Local reaction -

A local reaction involves symptoms in the same region of your body that the bites appear, but extending beyond the initial bite location.

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Example -

For example, a single sting in your ankle may cause swelling in your entire lower leg. Local reactions tend to last a couple of days.

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Systemic reaction -

A systemic reaction is when your whole body reacts to the sting. Symptoms can include stomach cramps, diarrhea, and/or trouble breathing and swallowing.

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Anaphylaxis -

In rare cases, fire ant bites can cause anaphylaxis, which is a severe and life-threatening allergic reaction.

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Symptoms -

Symptoms of anaphylaxis include dizziness, a drop in blood pressure, loss of consciousness, and/or cardiac arrest.

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Diagnosis -

It is usually quite easy to diagnose a red fire ant bite based on the skin’s appearance during the first few hours, as well as characteristic symptoms.

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Treatment -

Mild bites are usually treatable at home using a combination of antihistamines, hydrocortisone cream, and cold compresses.

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Treatment -

However, more serious reactions may require other treatments such as oral corticosteroids, or even emergency medical treatment, such as IV antihistamines.

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Avoiding temptation -

As a rule, it is best not to pop the blisters that appear as the result of a red fire ant bite, since doing so can increase the risk of scarring.

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Potential for infection -

Bear in mind, too, that if the blisters break, they may become infected and require treatment using antibiotics.

Sources: (CNN) (Cleveland Clinic)

See also: The surprising ways insects have been used in warfare throughout history

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