Tree ants are a classification for various ant species that establish colonies in arboreal environments, such as hollow trees, decaying wood, or tree stumps. They often contact humans when moving from a tree nest into a home structure, especially if the wood is moist or decaying. When disturbed or threatened, many tree-dwelling ants possess mechanisms to defend themselves, meaning they can and do bite or sting. This defensive action can cause discomfort.
Addressing the Action: Do Tree Ants Bite or Sting?
The distinction between an ant bite and an ant sting is based on anatomy and how the defensive substance is delivered. A true ant bite uses the mandibles, or jaws, to grasp and pinch the skin. This is often the first step in the ant’s defense strategy.
A sting is a separate action performed by female worker ants using a specialized organ called a stinger, which is a modified egg-laying tube. Stinging ants inject protein-based venom directly into the skin, causing an immediate burning sensation and localized pain.
Many common tree-dwelling ants, particularly those in the Formicinae subfamily, lack a stinger but possess a structure called an acidopore. After biting to secure a hold, these ants spray an irritating chemical, often formic acid, into the open wound or onto the irritated skin. This acid is the main source of the burning and stinging pain people feel from these species.
Identification of Common Aggressive Tree Ant Species
Carpenter Ants
Carpenter Ants (Camponotus species) are among the most common tree ants, often nesting in dead limbs, stumps, or water-damaged wood within homes. These large ants, which can range from black to red and black, do not sting. Their defense involves using strong mandibles to bite, which can puncture the skin, followed by spraying formic acid into the resulting wound.
Carpenter ant bites are usually not aggressive unless their nest is directly disturbed, but they can be painful due to the combination of the mechanical pinch and the chemical irritant. They excavate wood to create galleries for their nests, leaving behind fine sawdust-like material, known as frass, which can be an identifying sign of their presence.
Velvety Tree Ants
Velvety Tree Ants are an aggressive species that typically nest in the hollows and crooks of trees, sometimes making their way into structures. They are known for their distinctive black, velvety abdomen and their habit of emitting a strong, unpleasant odor, often described as rotten coconut, when they are crushed or threatened. They defend their colony by attacking intruders and spraying defensive secretions.
Acrobat Ants
Acrobat Ants get their name from their habit of holding their heart-shaped abdomen, or gaster, up over their head when they are disturbed. They are commonly found nesting in trees, under bark, or in wood damaged by other insects. Acrobat ants can bite but do not sting, and they will also use chemical secretions as a defense, though their bite is generally considered less severe than that of a Carpenter Ant.
Recognizing and Treating Reactions
The typical reaction to a tree ant bite or sting is a localized presentation that includes pain, redness, and swelling at the contact site. Bites from species that spray formic acid may produce a burning or intensely itchy sensation. In some cases, especially with stinging ants like those in the fire ant family, a small, fluid-filled blister or pustule can form a few hours after the initial attack.
Initial treatment should focus on cleaning the area thoroughly with soap and water to reduce the risk of secondary infection. Applying a cold compress or an ice pack wrapped in a cloth to the affected site for about 15 minutes can help reduce pain and swelling. Over-the-counter oral antihistamines or topical anti-itch creams may also be used to alleviate persistent itching and minor swelling.
It is important to watch for signs of a severe allergic reaction, which is an immediate medical concern. Symptoms require emergency medical attention if they include:
- Difficulty breathing.
- Swelling that spreads rapidly beyond the bite site.
- Swelling of the face, tongue, or throat.
- Hives that spread to distant parts of the body.
- Dizziness or a rapid pulse.