The name formic (as figure 10.16 indicates, methanoic acid in The IUPAC nomenclature) is derived from the Latin word formica, which means ant. The acid was first isolated as one of
The products formed during the destructive distillation of ants. The sting of an ant bite is due to formic acid (figure 10.17). This acid stimulates our body s pain sensing nerve endings by lowering the pH in their environment the bite area swells as water flows
In to dilute the formic acid and raise the PH. Because the sting is caused by an acid, the best treatment is to apply a mild base, such as baking soda (NaHCO3) .Ants and other insects often release other chemicals when they bite that can cause severe allergic Reactions in some people