Ants-what kind are they?
Apr 20th 2008, 10:42 pm
#16
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,376
Re: Ants-what kind are they?
I have been stung by a green ant in Cairns (think it was Cairns). I was walking on a nature strip and my toe went numb for a while.
When camping we pitched unknowing near an ants nest. My son was playing in the area and got an ant in his sandal. He was yelping, jumping, crying and really in pain. Some other campers came to help and gave us one of those insect bite sticks but he was still very much in pain. We saw the camp doc who sprayed a liquid on the bites and my son was instantly relieved. We had to keep in spraying every so often. What was in this miracle pain relieving liquid? - Vinegar and water. The doc said you can buy all these expensive things from the chemist but the best and cheapest thing to use is the vinegar and water (50/50 mix). He said it works for most bites except shark bites
Apparently it neutralises the toxins in the bite.
When going out in bush area's I always pack my spray bottle of vinegar and water.
When camping we pitched unknowing near an ants nest. My son was playing in the area and got an ant in his sandal. He was yelping, jumping, crying and really in pain. Some other campers came to help and gave us one of those insect bite sticks but he was still very much in pain. We saw the camp doc who sprayed a liquid on the bites and my son was instantly relieved. We had to keep in spraying every so often. What was in this miracle pain relieving liquid? - Vinegar and water. The doc said you can buy all these expensive things from the chemist but the best and cheapest thing to use is the vinegar and water (50/50 mix). He said it works for most bites except shark bites
Apparently it neutralises the toxins in the bite.When going out in bush area's I always pack my spray bottle of vinegar and water.
Top Tip!!
Apr 20th 2008, 11:16 pm
#17
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Sep 2007
Location: Helensvale - yipeeeeeeeee!!
Posts: 1,331
Re: Ants-what kind are they?
Bloody hate ants!!!!!!!!
We live near the beach (uk) and because our house foundations are on sand the ants just love it. We pay every 2/3 years to have everywhere nuked.
When in Oz in August, our first day out was to the Bearded Dragon pub (Mt Tambourine Qld). My 8 year old was playing with a rugby ball (diving on the grass to catch it) with his brother and our friend's kids when he came over to us screaming. He had pain on is neck, shoulder, under his arm and down his chest. When we took his top off there was a series of swellings in a path over that area.
Now my son is REALLY brave, having suffered awful ear infections since a baby, so when he complains I take notice. I took him to the bathroom and bathed it with cold water. I always carry an arsenal of medical applications so applied antihistamene cream. This did not work.
The barmaid heard his screams and came in. Straight away she said he had been bitten by bull ants and sprayed him with some freeze spray from their medicine box. I gave him some calpol (god bless calpol) and, thankfully, the pain subsided.
I had absolutely no idea that ants could cause so much pain. She said that its 5 times worse that a wasp sting and really praised my son for his bravery!!!
Obviously, a big tip followed (only second day of the holiday and we didn't know that Ozzies don't tip!) and she was made up.
Son had a bit of an ant phobia after that (can't blame him), till we went to Cairns.
There we saw green bum ants in the rainforest. Our guide told us to squeeze their bodies and suck their bums and it tastes of lime. I looked at my youngest, who was terrified. Then my eldest son grabbed one, squeezed its body and bit its backside. He said it was lovely!!
I hated the thought of it, but knew it would help my youngest if I had a go. I closed my eyes and bit, and it was very lime flavoured. Not exactly moreish, but OK.
Then my youngest had a go. Once he realised it was ok he took vengeance, and ate loads
We live near the beach (uk) and because our house foundations are on sand the ants just love it. We pay every 2/3 years to have everywhere nuked.
When in Oz in August, our first day out was to the Bearded Dragon pub (Mt Tambourine Qld). My 8 year old was playing with a rugby ball (diving on the grass to catch it) with his brother and our friend's kids when he came over to us screaming. He had pain on is neck, shoulder, under his arm and down his chest. When we took his top off there was a series of swellings in a path over that area.
Now my son is REALLY brave, having suffered awful ear infections since a baby, so when he complains I take notice. I took him to the bathroom and bathed it with cold water. I always carry an arsenal of medical applications so applied antihistamene cream. This did not work.
The barmaid heard his screams and came in. Straight away she said he had been bitten by bull ants and sprayed him with some freeze spray from their medicine box. I gave him some calpol (god bless calpol) and, thankfully, the pain subsided.
I had absolutely no idea that ants could cause so much pain. She said that its 5 times worse that a wasp sting and really praised my son for his bravery!!!
Obviously, a big tip followed (only second day of the holiday and we didn't know that Ozzies don't tip!) and she was made up.
Son had a bit of an ant phobia after that (can't blame him), till we went to Cairns.
There we saw green bum ants in the rainforest. Our guide told us to squeeze their bodies and suck their bums and it tastes of lime. I looked at my youngest, who was terrified. Then my eldest son grabbed one, squeezed its body and bit its backside. He said it was lovely!!
I hated the thought of it, but knew it would help my youngest if I had a go. I closed my eyes and bit, and it was very lime flavoured. Not exactly moreish, but OK.
Then my youngest had a go. Once he realised it was ok he took vengeance, and ate loads
Last edited by RenShen; Apr 20th 2008 at 11:18 pm.
Apr 21st 2008, 3:46 am
#18
da Bonehead
Joined: Jan 2004
Location: Lion in da jungle
Posts: 22,767
Re: Ants-what kind are they?
I reckon there must be more ants in Australia than humans and animals in the whole world.
Up in the Cape York outback there are ant mounds (and termite hills) every few feet. Absolutely heaving with them.
When I say mounds I don't mean bumps in the ground. They are all sizes up to about 5 feet tall "boulders".
Up in the Cape York outback there are ant mounds (and termite hills) every few feet. Absolutely heaving with them.
When I say mounds I don't mean bumps in the ground. They are all sizes up to about 5 feet tall "boulders".
Apr 21st 2008, 3:50 am
#19
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 9,668
Re: Ants-what kind are they?
Or one of these:
?
Apr 21st 2008, 3:52 am
#20
now just Shaun...
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 483
Re: Ants-what kind are they?
I've seen green ants on the grass on the espalande in Cairns, well they were crawling over me...
Apr 21st 2008, 4:14 am
#21
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 23,400
Re: Ants-what kind are they?
One of these?
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3183/...eb1833ecf5.jpg
Or one of these:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/178/3...1846d85248.jpg
?
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3183/...eb1833ecf5.jpg
Or one of these:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/178/3...1846d85248.jpg
?
Apr 21st 2008, 7:03 am
#22
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 9,668
Re: Ants-what kind are they?
The bull ant is the black one with the huge jaws.
Here, have this:
http://www.ento.csiro.au/science/ants/
Here, have this:
http://www.ento.csiro.au/science/ants/
Apr 21st 2008, 7:20 am
#23
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 23,400
Re: Ants-what kind are they?
The bull ant is the black one with the huge jaws.
Here, have this:
http://www.ento.csiro.au/science/ants/
Here, have this:
http://www.ento.csiro.au/science/ants/
I have forgotten what I have packed, this should be fun.
Apr 21st 2008, 7:37 am
#25
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 229
Re: Ants-what kind are they?
One of these?
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3183/...eb1833ecf5.jpg
Or one of these:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/178/3...1846d85248.jpg
?
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3183/...eb1833ecf5.jpg
Or one of these:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/178/3...1846d85248.jpg
?
Apr 21st 2008, 7:54 am
#26
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 9,668
Re: Ants-what kind are they?
Apr 21st 2008, 8:10 am
#27
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 229
Re: Ants-what kind are they?
Interesting, thanks.
Apr 21st 2008, 8:40 am
#29
Banned
Joined: Jan 2004
Location: Morayfield - The Posh Part
Posts: 10,138
Re: Ants-what kind are they?
Sugar Ants are cool, they dont bite.