The chemicals in ant poisons are neurotoxins designed to disrupt the nervous systems of insects. While these substances are more toxic to insects due to their modes of action and the insects’ smaller sizes, they can also affect humans and pets if ingested or exposed in large amounts.
Symptoms of exposure range from mild (such as skin irritation and minor respiratory issues) to severe (including vomiting, seizures, and neurological damage), depending on the substance and the level of exposure.
If you ingest an ant killer, immediately call a poison control center (in the U.S., dial 1-800-222-1222) for specific guidance and seek medical attention without delay, especially if symptoms develop.
Bring the ant poison container or have information about its ingredients handy when consulting with medical professionals, as this will aid in providing accurate treatment.
Types of Ant Poisons
Bait Stations: Designed to attract ants with a food source mixed with poison. Ants carry the poisoned bait back to the colony, eventually killing the queen and the colony. Baits contain slow-acting poisons like boric acid or hydramethylnon to ensure the ants have time to spread the poison within the colony.
Liquid Insecticides: These are applied directly to ant trails or nests. They may contain stronger poisons like fipronil or imidacloprid for immediate kill. Liquid insecticides are effective but pose a higher risk of exposure to pets and humans.
Spray Insecticides: Sprays are used for immediate contact kill and barrier applications. They can contain a variety of active ingredients, including pyrethroids (synthetic versions of the natural insecticide pyrethrum) and neonicotinoids. Sprays are effective for quick action but may require precautions to avoid inhalation or skin contact.
Gel Baits: Gels are applied in small amounts near ant trails or where ants are seen entering a structure. Gels often contain fipronil or imidacloprid as active ingredients. They are less visible than other forms and can be applied in more precise locations.
Ingredients In Ant Poison And Safety Upon Ingestion
Borax
Borax (sodium tetraborate decahydrate) is widely used in various household products, including laundry detergents, cleaners, and even as a pest control agent like ant killer.
Even though borax is a naturally occurring mineral it is not safe for ingestion by humans or animals. Borax (sodium borate) and boric acid are both boron compounds, but boric acid has a different chemical formula from borax because it is a refined version of borax making it even more toxic.
Consuming borax can lead to nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, and in severe cases, can cause more serious health issues such as kidney damage, seizures, and even death.
When using borax-based ant killers or any product containing borax, it is important to follow the safety instructions carefully to avoid accidental ingestion, especially by children and pets. Keep these products out of reach and only use them as directed. If accidental ingestion occurs, seek medical attention immediately.
Fipronil
Fipronil is a commonly used insecticide found in ant killers and other pesticide products. This compound targets the GABAA receptors in the central nervous system of insects, blocking chlorine uptake. This blockage leads to hyperexcitation of the insect’s nervous system, causing death.
Ingestion can cause nausea, vomiting, headaches, dizziness, excessive perspiration, and, in severe cases, seizures and neurological effects. Hepatotoxicity and neurotoxicity of fipronil have been reported in a 32-year-old man who regularly drinks a fipronil-containing insecticide after an altercation with his wife.
Imidacloprid
Imidacloprid is not safe for ingestion by humans. As a neonicotinoid insecticide, imidacloprid is designed to target the nervous system of insects and is toxic if ingested by humans. While it has a lower toxicity to mammals compared to insects, due to the selective action on nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, ingestion can still lead to adverse health effects.
Ingesting imidacloprid can result in symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dizziness, and headaches. In more severe cases, it may cause tremors, seizures, or other neurological symptoms.
Abamectin
Abamectin is a mixture of natural avermectins that are derived from the fermentation of the soil bacterium, Streptomyces avermitilis. It primarily consists of two components, Avermectin B1a and Avermectin B1b, with Avermectin B1a being the most active.
Abamectin works as a neurotoxin in pests; it enhances the release of a neurotransmitter called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and blocks the transmission of neural signals, leading to paralysis and death in insects.
Ingestion of abamectin can be harmful and is not safe. It can disrupt the human nervous system similarly to how it affects pests, though humans have a higher tolerance to its effects.
Symptoms of ingestion can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and in severe cases, neurological symptoms such as seizures, ataxia (lack of muscle control), or tremors.
Another avermectin derivative, ivermectin has been widely adopted for medical use in humans and animals due to its potent antiparasitic properties.
Pyrethroids
Pyrethroids like prallethrin, esfenvalerate, and permethrin are commonly found in ant-killer sprays and these aforementioned pyrethroids have moderately acute toxicity in humans. Pyrethroids are 2250 more lethal in mammals than insects due to their larger size, warm-blooded nature, and less sensitive sodium channels.
Pyrethroids contain 44 insecticidal compounds and work by binding to sodium channels leading to overstimulation of nerve cells.
These substances are further divided into two main types: Type I pyrethroids, which are known to alter sodium channel dynamics, resulting in symptoms such as tremors, restlessness, hypersensitivity, and loss of coordinated movement. Type II pyrethroids, in contrast, are associated with causing excessive salivation, and impaired motor functions, with their influence extending to chloride channels, notably those dependent on GABA, alongside their effects on sodium channels.
Indoxacarb
Just like pyrethroids, the targeted action of indoxacarb towards insects’ sodium channels largely spares mammals from the harmful effects, contributing to its low acute toxicity in humans. This specificity stems from the molecular differences between insect and mammalian sodium channels, with indoxacarb being significantly less effective at blocking sodium channels in mammals.
Human exposure to indoxacarb, whether through ingestion, dermal contact, or inhalation, typically results in minimal acute toxicity. Symptoms, if any, tend to be mild and transient, reflecting the compound’s low potency in mammals.
Long-term exposure studies in mammals have not shown significant health effects at low exposure levels, supporting its use in pest control with appropriate safety measures.
Hydramethylnon
Hydramethylnon acts by disrupting the production of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), an essential molecule for energy transfer within cells.
Hydramethylnon is considered to have moderate acute toxicity. Ingestion of small amounts might not lead to immediate or severe symptoms in humans, but it can cause gastrointestinal irritation, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
If hydramethylnon is accidentally ingested, seek medical attention or contact the poison control center immediately.
What To Do If You Eat Ant Poison?
Swallowing an ant killer, which often contains potent insecticides like hydramethylnon, fipronil, or borax, can pose serious health risks. Immediate and informed actions are critical to manage such a situation effectively. Here’s what to do:
1. Read the Label
If safe to do so, quickly check the product label for emergency instructions. Many ant killer packages include first-aid steps and cautionary advice specifically for ingestion incidents.
2. Call Poison Control
Immediately contact a poison control center for guidance. In the U.S., the Poison Help Line is 1-800-222-1222. Provide them with as much information as possible, including the product name, active ingredients, the amount ingested, and the time of ingestion.
3. Do Not Induce Vomiting Unless Advised
Contrary to common belief, inducing vomiting is not always the recommended course of action and can sometimes worsen the situation. Follow the instructions of the poison control center or a healthcare provider.
4. Seek Medical Attention
If the person exhibits severe symptoms such as difficulty breathing, convulsions, or loss of consciousness, call emergency services or go to the nearest emergency room (ER) immediately. Even if symptoms seem mild or non-existent, it’s important to seek medical evaluation as some symptoms may be delayed or progress over time.
5. Provide Details to Healthcare Providers
Give the medical team as much information as possible about the ant killer product and any instructions provided by the poison control center. If possible, take the ant killer container or a picture of its label with you to the hospital.
Medical Treatment and Recovery
Depending on the type and amount of poison ingested and the time elapsed since ingestion, medical professionals may use activated charcoal to absorb the toxin or perform gastric lavage.
Treatment will also focus on managing symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, or seizures. Supportive care may include IV fluids for dehydration and medications to alleviate specific symptoms.
Some effects of poisoning may take time to manifest. Continuous monitoring in a medical facility might be necessary to respond to any emerging symptoms promptly.
After initial treatment, rest and staying well-hydrated are important for recovery.
Attend any recommended follow-up appointments to ensure no late-onset symptoms occur and to monitor recovery progress.
Prevention Tips
Always store ant poison and other toxic substances out of reach of children and pets, or food items.
Use ant poisons strictly according to the label instructions. Avoid overuse and ensure the area is ventilated if used indoors.
Make sure everyone in your household is aware of the dangers of ant poison and other chemicals and knows where they are stored.
Educate children on the dangers of touching substances and the importance of keeping pets away from treated areas.
You can also consider using natural or non-toxic alternatives for pest control when possible, to reduce the risk of accidental ingestion.
