{"id":170643,"date":"2023-09-06T05:46:29","date_gmt":"2023-09-06T10:46:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/reliantpest.com\/?p=170643"},"modified":"2024-05-13T12:15:45","modified_gmt":"2024-05-13T17:15:45","slug":"do-ants-carry-disease","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/reliantpest.com\/do-ants-carry-disease\/","title":{"rendered":"Do Ants Carry Disease?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Creepy, crawly, and dastardly, ants are little insects that seem to pop up everywhere, from picnics to kitchens to playgrounds. Not only are these tiny critters annoying, but they can also be what are known as indirect carriers of disease.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While ants may not be diseased themselves, they can carry germs on their bodies and spread illness through their travels. If you notice any ants in your home, it\u2019s wise to get started on your <a href=\"https:\/\/reliantpest.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">pest control<\/a> plan right away to limit your potential exposure to disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Ants do carry several types of diseases. They may pick up and carry pathogens from other sources and carry them to new locations.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Some diseases that ants transmit are foodborne illnesses that can become serious.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>People with allergies may be at greater risk of illness transmitted by ants.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Taking steps to prevent ants from entering your home can help you protect yourself and your family from any diseases they may carry.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-1 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:65%\">\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">For the best pest control services in Texas, please call us today at <a href=\"tel:8667645005\">(866) 764-5005<\/a> or request a free quote online!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:35%\">\n<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-455183d7 elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"455183d7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-lg elementor-animation-grow\" href=\"\/get-a-quote\/\">\n<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">GET A FREE QUOTE<\/span>\n<\/span>\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-default\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Do Ants Carry Diseases?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Yes, several <a href=\"https:\/\/reliantpest.com\/types-of-ants-found-in-texas-and-how-they-impact-you\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">species of ants<\/a> can carry many different types of diseases. According to one <a href=\"https:\/\/www.researchgate.net\/profile\/Rasha-Maal-Bared\/post\/How_do_vibrio_cholerae_bacteria_uses_vetors_to_interacts_and_establish_its_domain_in_its_hosthuman_being\/attachment\/59d635f479197b80779936cb\/AS%3A386288617312261%401469109791982\/download\/Sarwar+2015+Mechanical+vectors.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2015 study<\/a>, some types of fire ants and harvester ants have been found to carry traces of bacteria, such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Serratia<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Citrobacter<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Klebsiella<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Enterobacter<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Proteus<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Staphylococcus<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Yersinia<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>While these bacteria can affect healthy people, they mainly infect those with compromised immune systems. <em>Serratia, <\/em>in particular, is responsible for around <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3194826\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2% of all bloodstream infections<\/a>, ranking it the 10th most common ICU bacteria for blood diseases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Other bacteria like <em>Citrobacter<\/em> and <em>Enterobacter <\/em>may lead to urinary tract or respiratory infections. <em>Proteus <\/em>bacteria may cause inflammation upon entering the bloodstream, potentially leading to a highly dangerous condition known as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK442017\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">sepsis<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Meanwhile, <em>Staphylococcus <\/em>and <em>Yersinia <\/em>are foodborne illnesses that may be contracted when ants infest a food supply (or crawl over your picnic lunch without you noticing).&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ants and Cross-Contamination<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Ants are infamous for colonizing and infesting. While an infestation may seem like just an annoyance that leads to cleaning out your pantry, it can be much more dangerous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That\u2019s because these insects can transmit germs to each other, whether they are part of the same colony or not. This means that diseases can spread far distances before anyone notices. An outbreak of <em>Citrobacter <\/em>a few towns away from you can be transmitted to a nearby colony and spread ant by ant until it reaches your backyard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While not all diseases transmit this way, ants are a colony species that spend their time closely packed together with a high population. Much like a single child can bring a cold virus to an entire school, one ant may transform an entire colony.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Similarly, if ants find food that already has mold or other germs on it, they can carry these pathogens to untainted food. As a result, it\u2019s important to regularly check your fridge and pantry to ensure that none of your food is expired or spoiled.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ants and Foodborne Illness<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Two types of bacteria \u2013 <em>Staphylococcus <\/em>and <em>Yersinia<\/em> \u2013 are often the culprits behind foodborne illnesses. Additionally, ants have been known to transmit other foodborne diseases, such as <em>E. coli<\/em>, <em>Shigella<\/em> and <em>Salmonella<\/em> bacteria, across food sources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You may recognize <em>Staphylococcus <\/em>from the illness it causes: a staph infection. This is often associated with rashes and lesions on the skin that can spread to deeper layers. These bacteria can quickly multiply on food surfaces and cause other health issues. The good news is that food poisoning from <em>Staphylococcus<\/em> is not life-threatening; in fact, it often <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/diseases-conditions\/staph-infections\/symptoms-causes\/syc-20356221\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">lasts less than a day<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On the other hand, <em>Yersinia<\/em> is known to cause <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/yersinia\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">fever and abdominal pain<\/a>, which can be severe enough to be confused with appendicitis. The symptoms typically last 1-3 weeks after infection and can even lead to hospitalization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Respiratory Allergies and Asthma<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Believe it or not, ants can trigger asthma and other respiratory issues, sometimes including anaphylaxis. The pharaoh ant is a common urban pest that infests homes worldwide and has been found to be a major source of <a href=\"https:\/\/synapse.koreamed.org\/articles\/1020000\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">aeroallergens<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Instead of delivering ant stings or bites, the pharaoh ant contributes to irritants in the air that cause respiratory attacks.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Red or <a href=\"https:\/\/reliantpest.com\/5-sure-fire-ways-to-get-rid-of-fire-ants-in-your-home\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">fire ants<\/a> are also known to <a href=\"https:\/\/d1wqtxts1xzle7.cloudfront.net\/50901499\/Adverse_reactions_to_ants_other_than_imp20161215-3868-shte9j-libre.pdf?1481810409=&amp;response-content-disposition=inline%3B+filename%3DAdverse_reactions_to_ants_other_than_imp.pdf&amp;Expires=1692892986&amp;Signature=SHtPNsCwEOmibMpvT6NuEARl7mIdlWl4pPvaI9mQKaIQV0jGQXmposLY3WtDAPFqBlxAqXdyd~i943EXfS2u212k3CGtXn82vhD0DyPW7bgs710MHygho1wHWsgcWgvc1jjY19jCEg3Q5xdccm9ctmhk2F3JDi-7SAx84b3MtN0SS5lhfQdFjRVYpSTTn2Ngxlhrr-dWWdJhLz-o1uImQK~Q3I0KpQGAJYtiLkd6DjbD3JnnnsDUbr4XDAetIMmepsi0JMw5vC~QF3idyJT0ojJ~Fl64rwVebkScClaRtjGghQsvHYhAxhaAQH4cqktPe~LEDkq8mlOei4WrapFzmQ__&amp;Key-Pair-Id=APKAJLOHF5GGSLRBV4ZA\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">trigger short-term asthma<\/a> in people who suffer ant bites or stings, whether they have a history of the disease or not. Also of concern for many homeowners are carpenter ants, which are notorious for causing respiratory irritation because of how they build their nests. They gnaw out space in wood support beams, decks, etc., creating sawdust that can cause allergic reactions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What to Do if You Have an Ant Infestation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you notice any ants in your house, there is no need to panic. Follow a simple ant control plan to clear the space around the infestation and begin to take action. Of course, the preferable option may be to contact a professional pest control service to get rid of ants in your home once and for all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Clear Out.<\/strong> First, you\u2019ll want to move everything away from where you\u2019ve noticed any ants. Furniture, decor, and especially food should be placed a good distance away so you can investigate the area without any obstacles.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Clean.<\/strong> Vacuum or sweep up all the ants you can find and dispose of them outside. Ensure they\u2019re far from your house so they don\u2019t come back.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Trap.<\/strong> Now, you\u2019ll need to decide how to clear the rest of the ants out and keep them from returning. <a href=\"https:\/\/reliantpest.com\/do-ant-traps-actually-work\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Ant traps<\/a> are a common choice as they don\u2019t give off a noticeable smell and don\u2019t require spraying any chemicals. However, they can take a little while to attract all the ants, and you\u2019ll need to replace them every few days.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Treat.<\/strong> If you\u2019d like to use an ant spray or insecticide, carefully follow the package instructions. It helps to remember that these products may contain harmful chemicals, so use them with caution and ensure food, pets, and children are kept safely away.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>With the current colony sent packing, you can focus on preventing a resurgence of ant life. Using white vinegar can wipe away the previous ants&#8217; scent trails, and placing cloves or other herbs like peppermint around potential cracks where ants have come through can confuse and repel stragglers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-2 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:65%\">\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">For the best pest control services in Texas, please call us today at <a href=\"tel:8667645005\">(866) 764-5005<\/a> or request a free quote online!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:35%\">\n<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-455183d7 elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"455183d7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-lg elementor-animation-grow\" href=\"\/get-a-quote\/\">\n<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">GET A FREE QUOTE<\/span>\n<\/span>\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-default\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Questions Others Are Asking<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Do ants carry parasites?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Technically, yes, ants can carry parasites. Yeasts and molds, which ants may carry, may be considered parasites since they are living creatures. When consumed by humans, they may cause common foodborne illnesses. However, none of the many other parasites that infect ants can spread to humans.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Can ants give you Lyme disease?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>No existing evidence suggests that ants transmit Lyme disease. Instead, the illness comes most often from the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/lyme\/transmission\/index.html#:~:text=Note%20that%20hunting%20and%20dressing,flies%2C%20fleas%2C%20or%20lice.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">blacklegged tick<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Will ants make you sick if you eat them?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>While it is never advisable to eat bugs you find outside, there is a very low chance of anyone getting sick from eating ants whole. Some cultures cook bugs to eat them, killing off any potential diseases or parasites that the insects may carry. In general, though, it\u2019s probably better to be safe than sorry and avoid eating ants at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now that you know the dangers that ants carry with them and how to eliminate any ant infestations, you are better prepared to have an outdoor picnic and protect your home. The likelihood of getting sick from interacting with ants is low for anyone with a strong immune system. Plus, there is a lot that you can do to shore up your home defenses against any potential intruding insects.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Don\u2019t let any fear of ants keep you from enjoying a walk in the park. Just remember how to stay safe if you encounter any anthills.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Creepy, crawly, and dastardly, ants are little insects that seem to pop up everywhere, from picnics to kitchens to playgrounds. Not only are these tiny critters annoying, but they can also be what are known as indirect carriers of disease.&nbsp; While ants may not be diseased themselves, they can carry germs on their bodies and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":170645,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[83],"tags":[],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/reliantpest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/170643"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/reliantpest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/reliantpest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/reliantpest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/reliantpest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=170643"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/reliantpest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/170643\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":176406,"href":"https:\/\/reliantpest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/170643\/revisions\/176406"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/reliantpest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/170645"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/reliantpest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=170643"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/reliantpest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=170643"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/reliantpest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=170643"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}