What's in an ant bite? and why do they bite?

Question

just wondering, but i do have a miracle cure for ant bites.. too bad its in another language, its green oil

Answer 1

Some ants bite, some sting, and some do both. The sting contains formic acid. Most bites or stings are for defence, but some tropical ants may think you are food.

Answer 2

Ants do NOT bite, they "sting".  Calamine Lotion is about the only thing that will offer a little help, even with Fire Ant  (Solenopsis invicta) stings.

Answer 3

Some ants bite, some ants sting.  But not ALL ants inject formic acid in their stings.  This is limited to ants from the subfamily Formicidae (see 'formic' in it).  The venom in ants stings is made up of many different compounds and varies between species.  

Many ants that do bite, do so to hold you (or their prey) in close range so they can inject their sting.  Ants sting humans as a sign of defence, to warn you away from their territory or nest.  Ants also use their sting to subdue and kill prey or competitors.

Answer 4

formic acid is in the bites I believe, and because they can, they bite...feeling threatened...think you are food...

Answer 5

Nothing in the bite but formic acid in the sting in their tail. They bite and sting when threatened, especially fire ants.

They act with a group mentality like bees.

They do bite cos my dog had a large ant head with the pincers in her lip