ANTSTORE World of Ants

[JE]

Hi
I have a question about the risks to keep exotic ants. For some years ago, I had a colony of leafcutters (Acromyrmex), but before that I convinced myself that there were no risk of zoonotic diseases wih ants (I talked to biologists and physicians) . Before you can buy exotic ants from Antstore, you must sign a risk-declaration that contains information of the risk for diseases. My question is: Is there any known disease-risks with exotic ants? I understand that you want to include it in the declaration, but do you know any zoonotic risks with ants (like the malaria-mosquito and tick). I understand the ecological risk and the risk of being stunged. And is there any known health-risk with the fungi that leafcutters cultivate? The reason why I ask is that I will perhaps buy some exotic species from you in the future.

Thanks for an interesting site
With best regards
Jan

[FLechdrop]

Do you mean a risk of humans getting infected through ants (as you use the malaria-mosquito and the tick as examples)?

[JE]

Yes, I mean the risk that humans can be infected by virus, bacteria or parasite carried by the ants (or carried by a animal that has ants as a host, like plague can be carried by flea that are themself carried by rats). The question about the fungi is if there is a risk that , for example air-borne spores, can be toxic for humans. I have never heard that it is a risk to keep ants, just want to be sure.
With best regards
Jan

[FLechdrop]

I have never heard of any such thing either. They may cary diseases, bacteria, fungi, etc. which are harmful to other ants, but I've never heard of ants carrying anything which might be harmful to people.