Marcel was bitten by Fire Ants this morning!

[mypreciouspups]

I am so afraid of fire ants in the winter when we are in florida... I am so glad your little darling is ok... what a scare.. I would be freaking too...It brought a neigbor of ours in florida to his knee's.. so I always figure what could it do to our little babies..

anne

[Nikki+2]

Oh Ann, poor little Marcel and poor you! I'm glad he's okay. When Troy and I were in Aruba and my mom was watching our dogs (and daughter), Spike got in fire ants. My mom freaked and told Lauren to put him in the pool. After that he had a bath and they spot treated his bites with topical benedryl. Spike can't take oral Benedryl because it acts like speed with him. I have no idea if topical is okay for dogs with the licking but that's what they did and it turned out okay. I didn't know anything until it was long over but I couldn't help but think, that was probably the worst day of his little life, ants, the pool and then a bath.

[yorkieusa]

I'm so glad he is ok.

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by Nikki+2

Oh Ann, poor little Marcel and poor you! I'm glad he's okay. When Troy and I were in Aruba and my mom was watching our dogs (and daughter), Spike got in fire ants. My mom freaked and told Lauren to put him in the pool. After that he had a bath and they spot treated his bites with topical benedryl. Spike can't take oral Benedryl because it acts like speed with him. I have no idea if topical is okay for dogs with the licking but that's what they did and it turned out okay. I didn't know anything until it was long over but I couldn't help but think, that was probably the worst day of his little life, ants, the pool and then a bath.

You know what - that's BRILLIANT! By dipping him in the pool immediately, all of the ants probably died instantly, preventing any further bites - plus the pool probably disinfected the areas a bit too. I need to have some topical benadryl on hand too - that is a really good idea. Poor Spike, what a day - ants, pool, bath!

[zoeybear]

Evil ants! Who would bite such a darling face??? Maybe nibble, but not bite!!!!

[autumn star]

Oh Ann, Im so sorry this happened to Marcel. Im glad that everything turned out okay!

[kay6688]

Poor baby...I have been stung by them ants, not pleasant!!! Hugs-Kay & Jaxon

[Yorkie Luv of 3]

ouchie!!! Poor Baby!!! hope he's ok now,, as for the pesky fireants,, you can put Tide powdered detergent on the mound,, it make them move(kills some but mostly runs them out),, to where your dogs arent near them,, and you can poison them,, i personally dont trust any fire ant poison that says its not dangerous to pets,, Best of Luck!

[LunasMomma]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

You know what - that's BRILLIANT! By dipping him in the pool immediately, all of the ants probably died instantly, preventing any further bites - plus the pool probably disinfected the areas a bit too. I need to have some topical benadryl on hand too - that is a really good idea. Poor Spike, what a day - ants, pool, bath!

OUCH, poor little dude I'm glad he's okay

About the pool, sorry to say, ants can hold their breath for 2 hours or more, so while they don't die instantly, they can be washed off quickly that way. I have lived in Florida for over 20 years now and those stupid ants are the dickens to get rid of! You think they're gone, but survivors just relocate and build new mounds I have even had professional exterminator services and they couldn't get rid of them either! It's just something that you have to stay on top of, really. The best thing I've ever used is the Amdro, it's in a white plastic jug. You do have to keep the dogs away from it though, you know how they sniff everything, and they could inhale it.

Thank goodness he's okay!!!!

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by LunasMomma

About the pool, sorry to say, ants can hold their breath for 2 hours or more, so while they don't die instantly, they can be washed off quickly that way. I have lived in Florida for over 20 years now and those stupid ants are the dickens to get rid of! You think they're gone, but survivors just relocate and build new mounds I have even had professional exterminator services and they couldn't get rid of them either! It's just something that you have to stay on top of, really. The best thing I've ever used is the Amdro, it's in a white plastic jug. You do have to keep the dogs away from it though, you know how they sniff everything, and they could inhale it.

They can HOLD their breath??? Good lord! Unbelievable! I bought some fire ant killer and fire ant "bait" and will try this - but now I feel like I really need to inspect our yard with a fine tooth comb - bc maybe they're in more places than I think. I will look for this Amdro too - but if I use it, would I have to keep the dogs out of the yard entirely for a while?

[bjh]

Ann, I just read this and I am glad Marcel is okay. I know that was scary. I live in Texas, the flea and fire ant capitol of the world. I have always used 5% sevin dust to treat areas where ants and fleas go. I have always felt it is fairly safe because you can actually put it on your dog. My dogs all stay indoors but if I don't keep treating the yard the fleas and fire ants will find their way into the house. I hate them.

[Patti]

Glad Marcel is feeling better. Those nasty ants hurting that sweet baby

[pookiebear]

Hey, so sorry about Marcel's ant incident. I worry about that with my babies all the time. I too, am really glad to hear about the grits. I've got a few beds that I would ordinarily use fire ant killer by Spectricide on, but don't want to because of the babies. If you do decide to, it kills them instantly..sprinkle a little on the hill and put a little water on it. You will definitely have to keep marcel and wylie away from it for awhile. Let us know how the grits work. I bet your baby is itching like crazy. Those big pesky things actually put their poison in when they bite. Awful...I'm so sorry.

[hartygirl]

My mom uses: Diatomaceous Earth (DE)
She and I were constantly getting bitten up while working in her yard, and those little ants are smart. THey wait until like 10 are on you and go .... 1...2...3... bite!!!
I hope this helps. Snuggles to Marcel!

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by pookiebear

Let us know how the grits work. I bet your baby is itching like crazy.

Can I ask a really dumb question? What, exactly, are grits? Like, if I go to the grocery store - is there literally a can that says "grits" on it? I only ask bc I've never seen one! Am I a total dolt or WHAT? (I grew up in the North, btw, lol)