09-26-2014, 04:55 PM
Little fireants can both bite and sting, and the effects are different because of differing chemical compositions. From what I understand, most insect stings contain formic acid so it makes sense to neutralize and acid with a base like a water-baking soda paste or ammonia.
But if I recall correctly the little fire ant sting is transferred in a basic solution, so it seems an acid like vinegar might help neutralize it.
Personally, when I get bitten or stung I turn off the weedeater and go take a hot shower to kill and wash off any of the little buggers around my collar or in my hair.
Some people like to use liquid (or cream) benadryl on the sting or bite to help neutralize the histamines, because both bites and stings probably contain antagonistic proteins, and it would probably stand to reason that meat tenderizer would probably help because it denatures proteins.
UH Hilo has a pharmacology department and I think it would be great if a student of professor ran a research project on finding a very specific and targeted treatment for little fireant bites and stings. It could provide an opportunity for a product with unlimited growth potential, particularly after they take over Oahu and Maui.
But if I recall correctly the little fire ant sting is transferred in a basic solution, so it seems an acid like vinegar might help neutralize it.
Personally, when I get bitten or stung I turn off the weedeater and go take a hot shower to kill and wash off any of the little buggers around my collar or in my hair.
Some people like to use liquid (or cream) benadryl on the sting or bite to help neutralize the histamines, because both bites and stings probably contain antagonistic proteins, and it would probably stand to reason that meat tenderizer would probably help because it denatures proteins.
UH Hilo has a pharmacology department and I think it would be great if a student of professor ran a research project on finding a very specific and targeted treatment for little fireant bites and stings. It could provide an opportunity for a product with unlimited growth potential, particularly after they take over Oahu and Maui.