I think I just ate a few fire ants

Factual Questions
1

Returned home in a somewhat zombie-like state this eve. and poured myself a small plate of Chex Mix for sustenance while I perused the SDMB. About halfway through, looked down and realized that the damn fire ants had gotten to the bag before me. I probably gulped some down without noticing. Now, I know some people have had rather severe reactions to the bites (or is it stings?) of these creatures, so just wondering, have I perhaps done myself harm? If not, how many ants would I have to inadvertently consume before I should worry?

Bonus question: How can I keep the little bastards out of my snacks?

2

I wouldn’t worry too much - the hydrochloric acid in your stomach should take care of them.

3

Well…don’t eat any more :D.

Really if you had been stung on the way down, you’d probably know it immediately. Since you ( presumably ) feeling fine, I’d just dump the chex and remember to look before you leap next time.

The danger would most likely come from a sting to the tongue or in the throat that swelled badly enough to block the windpipe - that would be VERY dangerous and life-threatening. I know a guy ( an idiot, actually ) that thought it would be neat to try sticking his tongue in an anemonae and very nearly expired as a result ( apparently the nematocysts that can’t penetrate the skin on your hand will get through a mucous membrane just jim-dandy ).

As to avoiding them in the future - proper storage helps :). Don’t leave bowls of food sitting out if you have an ant problem. Or you could always resort to the method sometimes used by proper British families stationed in India - place the legs of your table on bowls of water, so they can’t make it over and climb up ( but beware bridging capable Army Ants :wink: ).

  • Tamerlane
4

That should be place the legs of your table IN bowls of water, obviously. Not that I think such a severe solution is usually warranted.

  • Tamerlane
5

Every year the city of Marshall, Texas holds a Fire Ant Festival. One of the highlights of this celebration is a chili cook-off, with a rather unusual rule: at least one fire ant must be included as an ingredient in each recipe.

If nobody’s died at the festival yet, I guess it’s not deadly poison to eat a fire ant. Then again, one fire ant per mess of chili is a pretty low ratio. In any case, if you’re not dead yet, you’ll probably survive.

6

If you did swallow any ants, it hurt them a lot worse than it hurt you.