Hidden dangers of bullet ants
The article on Medlatec General Hospital’s website has the medical consultation of Dr. Vũ Thanh Tuấn. According to him, bullet ants are slender, long-bodied insects with alternating black and yellow segments on their bodies. These ants typically live in gardens, fields, garbage dumps, construction sites, fly into houses, or can attach to clothes and bed sheets.
Bullet ants can secrete a fluid, and this fluid usually contains a toxin called pederin. Its toxicity can be 12-15 times stronger than that of a cobra. The amount of fluid secreted by bullet ants is usually small, so it does not cause fatal effects like snakebites. However, if not treated promptly, the wounds caused by bullet ant bites can have serious health effects, even leading to death.
When bitten by a bullet ant, patients often feel an immediate burning sensation. After about 6 to 8 hours, small red marks start to appear. The most distinctive injuries will appear about 1 to 2 days later. Then, after about 3 days, the condition improves, and the ant bite may develop flaking. After about 5 to 7 days, the flakes will disappear, but they may leave long-lasting dark marks.
Here are some specific signs when unfortunately bitten by bullet ants:
– On the bitten area, there will be slightly raised marks on the skin, with small water blisters.
– Scratching the bitten area will spread the toxin and bacteria to the healthy skin, especially in folded areas.
– Note: The bite marks from bullet ants can be easily mistaken for some skin diseases, especially herpes zoster.
– People who are bitten may feel a burning sensation at the ant bite or may also experience widespread injuries. Some cases may experience mild fever or nearby lymph node swelling.
Simple ways to eradicate bullet ants in apartments
Use insecticides
According to an article on Lao Dong newspaper, this is quite an effective way to eliminate bullet ants. The chemical agents in insecticides will paralyze the nervous system and kill the insects. The insecticides also have a smell that makes the insects uncomfortable and keeps them away.
You should spray the insecticide in places where the ants usually exist, such as under the bed, under cabinets, recessed shelves inside the house… Don’t forget to choose insecticides with clear origins, and when spraying, wear a mask, gloves, and carefully shield the food.
However, no matter how effective it is, you shouldn’t spray too much because the residual chemicals in the living environment will have adverse effects on health.
Hang mothballs or use fragrant incense indoors
This is a simple and safe way to repel bullet ants in the house, which is widely used. Mothballs and fragrant incense are herbs with a very characteristic strong fragrance. Especially, this fragrance is also a scent that many insects hate, including bullet ants.
Install insect screens, limit the use of lights with blue light
According to the Health & Life newspaper, citing Prof. Bùi Công Hiển from the Vietnam Entomological Society, to prevent bullet ants, high-rise apartment units and urban areas can use 3-chamber insect screens to prevent mosquitoes and insects. During the insect season (March, April, May, August, September, October every year), it is advisable to limit the use of neon lights or lights with blue light. You can turn on the balcony lights to attract insects to that area, reducing their density in the house.
According to Prof. Bùi Công Hiển, if bullet ants are present in the area, replace fluorescent bulbs with lights that emit yellow light because bullet ants are attracted to fluorescent lights. Avoid standing under bright lights in public places and be careful when working under lights as bullet ants often appear in well-lit areas. Use window screens and limit the opening of doors. Clean the environment, eliminate dense dust, and trim the vegetation around the house as these are good hiding places for bullet ants.
The areas where bullet ants are most likely to fly into from outside, to limit and prevent ant intrusion into the house, you can use a trap light (a white or purple light) at the windows or doorways, place a basin of water or catch them with a cloth. The ants attracted by the light will concentrate at the trap light. The placement and time of the trap depends on the family, but it must ensure safety and not affect daily life. It is best to use insect-catching lights available on the market and place them in areas where black ants often appear. When installing the lights, replace them with red or yellow light bulbs.
Source: VTC.vn
