Do Sugar Ants Bite? Facts About Sugar Ants

What are Sugar Ants?

Sugar ants, also known as piss ants or little black ants, are a common household ant species found worldwide. Their scientific name is Monomorium pharaonis.

These tiny ants are identified by their small size (2-3 mm), pale brown to black color, and fondness for sugary foods. They prefer to build nests indoors in cracks, wall voids, and insulation.

Sugar ants feed on sugary substances like nectar, honeydew from aphids, and sweet juices. Indoors, they are attracted to sugar spills, syrup, sweets, and other sugary human foods.

Do Sugar Ants Bite or Sting?

Sugar ants do not bite or sting humans. They have small mandibles that are not capable of breaking human skin to deliver a painful bite or venom.

Unlike some ant species like fire ants, sugar ants are not aggressive towards humans. They do not attack, swarm, or bite when encountering people.

At most, sugar ants may try to crawl on human skin, investigating any food residue. Their tiny feet tickling along the skin do not cause any pain or reaction.

Why You May Feel a Bite

While sugar ants do not intentionally bite, there are some reasons you may feel what seems like a bite when sugar ants are present:

Accidental Pinpricks

If sugar ants crawl over sensitive skin like the lips, you may feel a slight pinprick sensation from their tiny feet. This is unintentional and not a true bite.

Allergic Reactions

Some people are allergic to ant venom, saliva, or formic acid excreted from ants bodies. An allergic response can cause red bumps or itchiness mimicking ant bites.

Numbing Agent Reactions

Chemicals like formic acid used by ants as a defense mechanism may locally numb skin. This numbness could feel briefly like a sting or bite.

Investigatory Ant Behavior

Ants exploring a food source may crawl over hands or arms, unintentionally tickling with their legs. Their movement may accidentally nip delicate skin.

Problems Caused by Sugar Ants

While sugar ant bites or stings are not a direct health concern, large infestations of sugar ants can cause nuisance issues by:

• Contaminating human food or surfaces with bacteria from nesting areas
• Leaving sticky residue on surfaces from trail pheromones
• Attracting other insects like cockroaches to sugary ant trails
• Damaging plants by spreading honeydew-producing insects like aphids

Controlling sugar ants through good sanitation and exclusion methods can help prevent these issues.

Signs of a Sugar Ant Infestation

Watch for these clues that sugar ants may have invaded your home:

• Small black or brown ants clustering around sugary spills, foods, or surfaces
• Lines or trails of ants marching to and from nesting spots
• Winged sugar ants emerging indoors, especially after a rain
• Ants crawling in bathroom drains or around pipes in search of water
• Visible nests in wall voids, under floors, or in insulation

Take action quickly at the first sign of sugar ants to prevent populations from exploding.

How to Get Rid of Sugar Ants

Use these methods to eliminate sugar ant infestations:

Clean up Sugary Messes

Vacuum and wipe all surfaces where sugar ants are seen to remove food sources. Take out trash frequently.

Store Food in Sealable Containers

Keep pantry items, syrup bottles, produce, and pet food in airtight containers to deny ants access.

Fix Plumbing Leaks

Repair leaks and wipe out bathroom and kitchen sinks to deny ants water sources.

Apply Ant Baits

Use bait traps or gels containing slow-acting poisons like borax to kill ants.

Spray Repellents

Deter ants by spraying EPA-registered chemicals like peppermint oil arounddoors and windows.

Seal up Entry Points

Caulk cracks in walls, weatherstrip doors, and screen vents to block ant entry.

What to Do if You Are Bitten by Ants

In the rare case sugar ants cause irritation that resembles bites, follow these tips:

• Wash the affected area with soap and water to remove any formic acid or other ant chemicals.
• Apply ice wrapped in cloth to relieve swelling or itching.
• Use hydrocortisone cream to ease skin irritation.
• Take an antihistamine containing diphenhydramine to reduce allergic reactions.
• Monitor for signs of infection like pus, swelling, or fever and see a doctor if they develop.

See a doctor immediately if you experience a severe reaction, widespread rash, trouble breathing, or other concerning symptoms.

Preventing Sugar Ant Bites

You can make your home less inviting to sugar ants and avoid the risk of bites by:

• Cleaning up sticky spills and dried food debris right away.
• Eliminating moisture issues like leaky pipes.
• Storing snack foods in airtight containers.
• Inspecting cut flowers and produce for signs of aphids.
• Sealing cracks and openings where ants enter.
• Using insect-proof lids on trash cans.

Keep counters and floors clean and dry to remove temptation for sugar ants to come inside.

When to Call an Exterminator About Sugar Ants

Contact a professional exterminator if:

• You are unable to locate the main sugar ant nest.
• Large numbers of ants continue appearing after attempting your own treatments.
• Ants are coming into your home from a neighboring unit.
• You begin noticing additional ant species or other pests.

Exterminators have the expertise and chemical treatments to fully eliminate ant infestations at the source.

Sugar Ant Bites vs. Fire Ant Bites

While sugar ants do not bite, fire ants have a painful, stinging bite. Differences include:

• Sugar Ants: Do not bite. Tiny size. Found indoors, attracted to sugar and moisture.
• Fire Ants: Have a sharp sting. Larger size, from 1/8 to 12 inch long. Found outdoors and aggressively defend mounds.

Sugar Ant Bites vs. Carpenter Ant Bites

Carpenter ants also have minimal interaction with humans but are larger ants that can bite if handled:

• Sugar Ants: Do not bite. Forage for sugary foods indoors. Nest in wall voids.
• Carpenter Ants: Can inflict a minor bite. Prefer wood indoors and outdoors. Nest by tunneling in wood.

Sugar Ant Bites vs. Bull Ant Bites

Bull ants are a species found in Australia known for their extremely painful stings:

• Sugar Ants: Do not bite or sting. Small sugar-loving ants.
• Bull Ants: Have a potent, piercing sting. Large aggressive ants from 12 to 1 inch long.

Sugar Ant Bites vs. Harvester Ant Bites

Harvester ants can give a painful sting but are outdoor-living ants rarely found in homes:

• Sugar Ants: Do not bite or sting. Forage indoors for sweets.
• Harvester Ants: Have a stinger and inflict painful stings. Large ants up to 34 inch long. Outdoor colonies.

When Ant Bites Require Medical Care

Seek emergency medical care for ant bites or stings if you experience:

• Difficulty breathing, swallowing, or speaking after a reaction
• Swelling in the throat or mouth
• Hives or rash spreading across the body
• Dizziness, confusion, racing heartbeat, or fainting
• Very severe pain that is not diminished after several hours

These may be signs of a severe allergic reaction that requires immediate treatment.

Natural Remedies for Ant Bites and Itching

For mild symptoms, try these natural remedies:

• Cold compress - Apply wrapped ice to reduce swelling
• Baking soda paste - Makes a soothing paste to relieve itching
• Honey - Has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties
• Essential oils - Oils like lavender, tea tree, and peppermint provide relief
• Aloe vera - Soothes skin and reduces inflammation
• Oatmeal bath - Helps relieve overall skin irritation

Use natural treatments along with oral antihistamines as needed for relief.

When to See a Doctor for Ant Bites

Consult a doctor if you experience:

• Anaphylaxis or trouble breathing
• Facial swelling that restricts eyesight, swallowing, or speech
• Blisters, hives, or large skin reactions beyond the bite site
• Flu-like illness, headache, vomiting, or muscle cramps after multiple stings
• Pus, redness, swelling, red streaks, or increased pain signaling infection

Severe reactions require professional medical assessment and treatment. Seek immediate help for any concerning symptoms.

The Takeaway

Sugar ants themselves do not bite, sting, or transmit disease. But their presence, trail marking, and search for food can cause nuisance issues indoors. Using sanitation methods and ant baits can help safely eliminate sugar ant infestations.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.