I've lived in the Charlotte areas for 10 years this winter. And, somehow, I was this weekend-years old when I experienced the wrath of fire ants for the first time. OH. MY. WORD. I cannot even form a cohesive statement about how awful those little critters are.
With the temperatures FINALLY dropping enough to enjoy longer days outside in the yard or grassy parks, you know you will encounter them. In this case, I was out with the new puppy and we both got nailed - her yelping and my screaming could be heard for miles, I'm sure. The crazy part: these little jerks were only JUST starting to build their mound - so I didn't even notice it.
So, what happens when they get you? I legit tried everything and here's what I learned!
- Immediate Relief came with cold water from the hose attached to my house, but I think that was because I drowned them so they couldn't bite me anymore. It also helped me ensure that I'd gotten them off of my feet.
- Benedryl or Anti-Itch Cream works for short periods of time, I found that it was only temporary until I could bring out the big guns.
- White vinegar is my go-to for all stings, bites and burns. It usually does the trick and in this instance, it worked for a while. It took the immediate sting out and kept them from swelling too much, But, once the little "pimple" head had formed, it was down-hill. I felt like a salad, because I kept reapplying the vinegar to my legs and feet - and every I touched them, they began to itch again.
- Popping them and applying alcohol to keep sterile seemed like a good idea. I tried it and thought I'd have immediate relief. I did not. They still itch like the dickens. So, I went with my last resort!
- Urine - yes, you read that right! A friend told me to "pee on the bites." I was severely grossed out, but I'll be honest - it piqued my interest. I won't go into the details - nor will I divulge if I did or didn't try it - but I will tell you that you can watch a video on it here!
My best suggestion is to be really mindful of your surroundings. If you are in your backyard, maybe try one of those fire ant sprays and powder bait that you can use on your lawn. If you are out at a public park, just look where you are going - wear close-toed shoes and make sure you look where you are sitting. When in doubt, if you really can't make the bites stop itching or stinging, call you doctor and get something more substantial - you could be allergic!
