Bullet ants: The Amazon's lethal pest

The Amazon Rainforest is home to more than one third of all species in the world. The poison dart frog, malaria carrying mosquitos, anacondas and tigers are all among the most deadly pests of the Amazon Rainforest. But, there is another creature patrolling the amazon rainforest that is especially deadly to visitors, the Bullet Ant. The Bullet Ant stretches almost 1.5 inches in length and only a few of them are needed to take down a grown human being. The Bullet Ant is called such, because its sting is equal to being shot according to some victims. Here are 3 interesting facts about the Bullet Ant.

The Bullet ant sting

Known as one of the most painful stings of any insect, the Bullet Ant sting contains a neurotoxin. The stinger is located on the ant’s abdomen and is 1-3 mm long. A single sting from one of these pests can leave a person in agony for up to 8 hours. The pain is described as an intense and lasting burning sensation.

Tribal initiation

The indigenous tribe, The Satere-Mawe located in the Amazon Rainforest, use the Bullet Ant as an initiation ritual. For a boy to become a warrior, he must use the bullet ant stings intentionally. The tribe carries out this initiation by weaving hundreds of Bullet Ants, stingers facing in, into a glove made out of leaves. The boy then places the glove over his hand and completes his ritual by enduring 10 full minutes. The initiation is only complete when the boy goes through a total of 20 rituals.

Where do bullet ants live?

Bullet Ants are located in the Rainforest spanning from Nicaragua to Paraguay. One of the more frightening things about Bullet Ants is that they nest in trees, shrubs and in the ground.

Fortunately for those living in the Pacific Northwest United States, Bullet Ants are not a problem but carpenter and other types of ant are.

Professional ant control

If you know or fear that your home has been invaded by ants contact Western Exterminator immediately.