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Lander Bethel's avatar

Sure hope they weren't fire ants. They're not just the biting kind, but they will cover a person in seconds. And their bites leave little blisters that last for days. Not good. But what a good thing you all could take care of each other. Next time - head for the water and both of you jump in to Lake Martin. Heck, don't even wait for ants. Just go jump in the water. And laugh about having ants in your pants.

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David Feder's avatar

Fire ants -- at least here in Texas where they seem to thrive best -- are red ants and their bites are nasty, burning, blistering little bites. But it seems that the critters that attacked Becca and Sean were little black ants. And that's the name of the species as well -- seriously, "Little Black Ants." They do bite, but the bites are harmless and fade quickly. As for jumping in the water, well, it might get them off if their jaws aren't latched on, but ants are really good swimmers!

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M Drake's avatar

Yes the fire ants just form a colony on water and if you are unlucky enough, they will cover you with their colony and set you on fire, literally! Pain like you have never known.

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David Feder's avatar

I have a story about a particularly nasty run-in with a fire ant colony that is not suitable for this venue! Suffice it to say, a took a lovely young lady on a midnight picnic in the park, unwittingly set up right on top of a major fire ant colony, and...well, I'll leave the rest to the imagination but suffice it to say, I ended up learning the hard way the difference between throes of passion and throes of agony!

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M Drake's avatar

😱

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David Feder's avatar

That's one of the biggest lessons you learn when you have kids: To listen to them when they tell you something serious. So now ya' know, big fella! And congratulations: You are now officially a parent.

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Jan's avatar

I was thinking the same! And most of us (ok, me) learned it the same way Sean did. I don’t even recall the circumstances anymore, just that I became careful to pay attention. Then move on usually but never wanted to again assume it was a no-big-deal without verification. And I’d be willing to bet that my son recalls the exact incident that taught me this lesson…😁

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David Feder's avatar

We all learn the hard way, I'm afraid, and the guilt follows us forever. But you know what? That's how we know we're good parents!

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Blessed Life's avatar

What an absolutely precious child. Thank you for sharing Becca with your readers. I look forward to more Becca adventures.

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Judy Glazik's avatar

❤️🩷🐜🐜🐜🐜🐜

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Susie S's avatar

Loved this, Seaner, and the last 7 paragraphs were simply delightful. ❤️

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Connie's avatar

And she is absolutely correct! ❤️

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Blessed Life's avatar

What an absolute precious child. Thank you for sharing Becca with your readers. I look forward to more Becca adventures.

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Dana Key's avatar

Becca has the idea!!! Protect Godfather so he can protect her ❤️. Beautifully written, Sean!

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Playswithneedles's avatar

I grew up in northwest Florida and one of my earliest memories involves ants. I must have been about 3 years old and was playing in the backyard with my brother. My father was there doing yardwork. I actually sat down on a huge ant bed and within seconds was covered with the critters. My bloodcurdling screams brought my father running and, when he saw the ants, he grabbed a garden hose and used it like a water cannon to wash the ants away. I don’t know how many bites I had and I actually don’t remember the aftermath at all. Just the water and my father acting the fireman.

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Leigh Amiot's avatar

I’m way late for this party, but the last two times I got into fire ants, I put Cortizone-10 on the bites and almost none of them blistered. Previously I would put Benadryl gel on them, but would still get blisters at the site of the bite. Save the Benadryl gel for mosquito bites.

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Jan(et) Lord's avatar

Make a paste out of meat tenderizer (ie: Adolf’s brand) apply a let dry. My advice is unseasoned though or you’ll attract flies.

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Cheryl Yarborough's avatar

I’m itching all over reading this. Ha- I m not a lover of bugs. I love animals trees flowers the beach- all the beauty of nature! But I m scared of bugs, except ladybugs & lizards. Don’t even mention spiders😱I was visiting family in Texas and they were invaded with red ants- huge hills everywhere. I went to shower & there was some strange object in drain. My brother in law said they crawl up the drain! Fastest shower ever! Becca saved you from a horrible aunt attack! Sean, Always listen to the woman!- even if she’s 12 years old. Have fun adventures at the lake with Becca. She may be blind but she’s smart, brave & she loves you. Listen to her, she has senses we don’t use like we should. Laughed but still itching. Bless you both and Jamie & pets.🐞🐜🐛🦟🐝🦅🌻

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Baga's avatar

Tell Becca about my daughter’s fire ant episode when she was in high school. She had driven to a football game at the high school and from there she was supposed to go to sleepover with girlfriends. While walking back to the car, she took a shortcut thru bushes to the car even though it was dark by this time. She happened to step into a fire ant hill, but of course had no idea. Well, the fire ants didn’t start to bite until she was in the car. She was so upset and covered with bites, she skipped the sleepover. Becca handled her ant episode better than my 16 year old did. Becca is a trooper!

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Rhett's avatar

Yeah, do NOT go there.

God clearly sent her into your life to heal the damage done by others.

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Judy Glazik's avatar

♥️♥️

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Linda Hubbard's avatar

❤️💕

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Paul McCutchen's avatar

Will not be on for a while. Tested positive for Covid plus the regular flu and to make matters worse I have a bronchial infection. Thought I was just fighting an asthma problem. yea me

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Daniel Crawford's avatar

Oh wow Paul. So sorry to hear about your multiple illnesses! Thinking about and praying for you. Get back soon.

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Sy Anne's avatar

Oh no! Hope you get over it quickly.

You will be missed!

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Linda Hubbard's avatar

Oh no!! So sorry, sending lots of prayers your way for comfort, speedy healing and good thoughts! ❤️💕❤️💕❤️💕

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Jan's avatar

Praying your health is restored quickly, Paul! 🤲

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Dolores's avatar

As a baby sister to four older brothers who tormented me with toads, worms and bugs, I can wholeheartedly identify with Becca’s disdain for crawly things. I occasionally stop to scratch at my no-see-um bites as I type.

I now have a eucalyptus/lemon spray that seems to be keeping biting pests at bay.

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