Vinegar Stars as Surprising Antidote to Sting of Fire Ants

Fire ants are an invasive species in the southern United States, gradually making their way northward. These aggressive ants live in colonies and they have a ferocious and painful sting that feels like a burn. Is there any way to ease the pain? Some readers are enthusiastic about vinegar for this purpose.

Does Apple Cider Vinegar Belong in Your Golf Bag?

Q. I play golf here in South Carolina, and there are fire ants throughout our golf course. That’s why I always carry a small spray bottle of apple cider vinegar in my golf bag to treat any bites. This works great for taking the sting out!

A. Other readers agree with you that this remedy can be helpful.

CM reported,

“organic apple cider vinegar works for me. I live in Florida and I usually apply it once with a cotton ball. It takes away the itch.”

Another person used a more exotic treatment:

“Fire ants covered my feet and lower legs within seconds after I stepped into a nest. I was wearing Crocs with holes and no socks. I developed welts within minutes, but I remembered I had a pack of clay from a visit to the Dead Sea in Israel many years ago.

“I quickly mixed the clay into a paste with water and slathered it on my legs. The burning stopped right away! Bentonite clay might have a similar effect.”

We can’t imagine many readers would have a pack of Dead Sea clay handy, but most people could have access to vinegar. That might be a more accessible remedy.

Easing the Pain of Fire Ant Stings

Q. My home town is in extreme drought and about the only thing growing now are weeds. They were getting pretty tall, so I decided to mow. When I stopped to pick up a limb, I felt hot stinging and looked at my hand to see fire ants on it.

I brushed them off and went inside to find something to treat them. The stings make me itch and burn; they create white pimple-like pustules and red swollen areas.

I reached for the spray bottle of vinegar I keep in my kitchen for cleaning and disinfecting. I sprayed my hand and left the spray on the skin. In a few seconds the burning stopped, then the itching. I had a little redness but pustules never did form.

This is the fastest and best remedy I’ve ever found for fire ant bites.

Beware Allergic Reactions to Fire Ants

A. Thanks for sharing your success. We didn’t know that vinegar (acetic acid) could overcome the venom of fire ants (Solenopsis invicta). Scientists have discovered that crazy ants (Nylanderia fulva) use formic acid they produce themselves to detoxify fire ant venom when the two groups fight each other (Science, Feb. 28, 2014).

Other readers report success against fire ant bites with topical witch hazel, the OTC acne drug benzoyl peroxide, Vicks VapoRub, castor oil or a cut onion. Keep in mind that some people react to fire ant stings with a severe allergic reaction that can even proceed to anaphylaxis. Those individuals need immediate emergency attention if they are stung and should keep injectable epinephrine on hand.