Ants can’t bite – or can they?
Yes! The black carpenter ant, which normally lives in dead wood, tree stumps and near the outside of houses does bite – but it does not sting. Harvester ants are ants known for biting/stinging and can be dangerous. These ants are the preferred food of the horned toad. Fire ants, which are also very dangerous, can sting too! |
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Look out! That spider bites!
Although spiders help our environment by eating a lot of insects, they can also bite people. But not every spider bites. In fact, only about 60 species (out of 3,000) of spiders bite. Most spiders do not break the skin when they bite – and most spider bites are less painful than a bee sting. The most dangerous spider  bites coming from spiders within the U.S. are the black widow spider and the brown recluse spider. Although black widow spider and brown recluse spider bites are venomous as most spider bites are, these spiders are normally very timid and non-aggressive spiders. So if you see one – just leave it alone and it will leave you alone! Tell your parents about it. If you’re bitten by a brown recluse spider or a black widow spider – go to a doctor right away!
If you’re bitten by any spider, tell your parents immediately. You may notice some swelling and redness on your skin. You might even have a black and blue mark, or feel some itching. If you’re able, try to see what kind of spider bit you! Then ask an expert your spider questions – you just might be OK! |
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Flying stingers!
Chances are, you’ve been stung by a bee before. Even if you haven’t, you should know about the most common bees you might see. Those are the honeybee, the bumble bee and the carpenter bee. The honey bee, which is found in every state, can deliver a very painful sting – especially if the stinger isn’t removed right away. The bumble bee can heard by its muffled “buzzing” sound. The bumble bee sting is one of the most painful! Africanized bees are often referred to “killer bees”. They look like a honeybee, and their venom is similar to the honeybee’s, but they attack in groups – which makes them more dangerous! Killer bees are dangerous but rarely kill people. |
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Terrible Ticks and Mad Mosquitoes!
Ticks are known as blood-sucking bugs. Ticks are often found in the woods and on animals like deer and birds. The blacklegged tick (sometimes called the deertick) prefers grass and shrubs as hiding places, and likes to feed on the blood of white-tailed deer! If you find a tick on you, tell your parents right away, so they can quickly remove it with a tweezers!
Tick removal:
- Children should be taught to seek adult help for tick removal.
- The tick should be removed with fine-point tweezers and pulled straight out, starting as close to the skin as possible.
- If you have to remove the tick with your fingers, use a tissue or leaf to avoid contact with the tick’s fluids.
- Do not prick, crush, or burn the tick. Sometimes they carry infected fluids or tissue in them, which might be released.
The West Nile Virus is one of the most dangerous diseases you can get from mosquitoes that feed on dead birds. Ask your parents or click here for more West Nile Virus Information.
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Here are some bugs that won’t bite you – but sure are a menace!
- Termites are more interested in eating the wood from your house – not you!
- House flies are a pain, but they won’t hurt you!
- Pillbugs won’t hurt you, but they’re a pest if they get in your house!
- Fleas can carry disease with them, so if you get itchy – tell your parents right away!
If you’re bitten by an insect…
- Brush off the ant, spider, bee, or wasp before it can bite you again.
- Get a good look at the insect so you can describe it to your parents.
- Tell your parents you’ve bitten by a bug!
- Don’t scratch!
- Have mom or dad find the right medicine to rub into your skin.
- If it doesn’t get better – see a doctor!
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