Can Ants Give You Lice?
WouterDespite the fact that ants are considered to be a pest by many people, few studies have investigated whether these insects may be carrying pathogenic bacteria to humans. This study was designed to determine whether these insects may transfer pathogenic bacteria to food and to provide insight into consumer knowledge about the potential hazards of ant infestations.
Ants are important vectors of pathogens. They can carry a wide variety of bacteria, fungi, and toxigenic microorganisms to food. In addition, they may contaminate food contact surfaces and water, which may result in foodborne illnesses. In this study, ants were collected from various sites, including food preparation areas, bread storage areas, and kitchens. The presence of coliforms and E. coli were detected in 52% and 26% of samples, respectively. Coliforms were significantly higher in ants collected near food preparation areas and kitchens.
The study results show that ants are likely to carry coliforms to food. In addition, ants from kitchens and food preparation areas were significantly more likely to carry Bacillus spp. than those collected from other sites. They were also significantly more likely to carry presumptive Salmonella spp. Approximately 8% of samples were positive for Salmonella spp.
A small group of ants, known as crazy ants, have been identified in Texas, Louisiana, Georgia, and Mississippi. These ants are a highly aggressive stinging species that is not native to the United States. Their stings may cause anaphylactic shock and painful burns to humans.
