Myrmecophobia is the phobia of ants. It is important to remember that although ants seem small and relatively harmless, phobias do not operate on rational foundations but rather the opposite. Phobias are built on the pretense that as long as the person who has the phobia believes there is a real and present danger, the phobia represents a real and present danger to them at that time. Their bodies will continue to produce a biological response that corroborates the information. Learn more about myrmecophobia and how pest control services in Waterloo can provide ant removal solutions. 

Common Symptoms of Myrmecophobia

Myrmecophobia shares the same symptoms as many other phobias do. Be sure to clearly communicate any changes in your health, be it mental, physical, or emotional, with a medical doctor to ensure the best results. Every person experiences symptoms differently, but some symptoms are commonly reported. When you experience a phobia, you will likely experience persistent feelings of extreme fear and excessive repulsion of an object or situation for six months or more. Some of the most common indicators that you may be developing a phobia are: 

• Symptoms ongoing for six months or more 
• Fear of dying 
• Anxiety or panic attacks 
• Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea 
• Shaking 
• Fainting 
• Sweating 
• Temporary paralysis 

Potential Causes of Myrmecophobia

There is little information about what causes phobias except that the root is likely tied to trauma. The trauma connected to phobias can either be trauma experienced with a particular phobia object or situation, or it can develop as an unrelated response to specific trauma a person has experienced. For example, if snakes repeatedly bite a person, they might then develop a phobia of snakes due to that particular traumatic event with snakes. Another example might be that a person experienced the tragic loss of a family member and, as a result, developed a phobia of ants; this may not seem related, but it could stem from an early life experience or simply have a trauma as the common denominator. 

Identifying Triggers of Myrmecophobia

To appropriately treat myrmecophobia or other phobias, specialists will identify the specific triggers that cause the phobic reactions. These triggers will be different for different people and phobias. One likely trigger that all people who experience phobias will share is in the visual sight or mention of the object or situation they fear. For example, the presence of ants in the home of a person who has myrmecophobia would trigger phobic responses that may require medical treatment. Distinct differences will help determine whether or not you are fearful of ants or bugs in general or of venturing out into the grass altogether. Identifying specific triggers will help specialists determine the proper treatment for the exact phobia that you are experiencing. 

General Treatments of Myrmecophobia

Every person responds to treatment differently, just like every person is unique. Doctors and specialists will employ several individualized strategies to treat the phobia and help the person cope with the symptoms. Phobias can be successfully treated, but it can take a long time to manage symptoms for people to heal. Some successful treatments for phobias include:

• Cognitive-behavioural therapy 
• Mental health counseling 
• Support groups 
• Talking therapy 
• Exposure therapy 
• Psychodynamic therapy 
• Hypnotherapy 
• General counselling 

Ant Removal for Myrmecophobia

Whether or not you have myrmecophobia or even a general phobia of bugs like entomophobia, an ant infestation is terrible news for mitigating your stress and phobia recovery. Even for people who do not experience phobic symptoms, ants infiltrating your home are not ever ideal. Control your ant problem with expert removal service Truly Nolen for pest control services in Waterloo. 

Contact Truly Nolen in Waterloo for more information or to schedule an appointment for ant removal.