THE ANTS AND THE BEES

Honeybees, bumblebees, hornets, wasps, and yellow jackets are all similar flying insects that sting and can cause a venomous allergic reaction. The only other stinging insect known to cause an allergic reaction is the fire ant. Black and red fire ants can sting repeatedly and almost always cause a non-allergic reaction in their victims. A non-allergic reaction creates an itchy hive or bump at the sting site, which usually disappears within 60 minutes. Then the bump becomes a blister within 8 to 24 hours, which can become infected if scratched or broken. An allergic reaction to the sting is more concerning.  In addition to itching and swelling, it can cause intense abdominal pain, vomiting, and difficulty breathing and swallowing.

P.S. Fire ants usually attack in groups and produce multiple stings that can make an allergic reaction more severe. They clamp down on your skin with mandibles that make it difficult to simply brush them away.

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