ABC7 Anchor Suffers Injury From Suspected Fire Ant Bite
Weekend anchor Ellie Davis reported a swollen foot and numbness after a suspected bite on Siesta Key Beach, where doctors could not confirm the culprit.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Accidents
ABC7 weekend anchor Ellie Davis felt something bite her foot while covering a Girl Scout cleanup on Siesta Key Beach. By the next day her right foot had swelled to nearly three times its size and she lost feeling in three toes.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the painful and potentially dangerous effects of red imported fire ants, which dominate Florida and much of the Southeast. Fire ants can cause anaphylactic shock in people with allergies, which can be fatal.
Urgent care treated Davis with steroid shots to restore circulation, but the biting organism has not been confirmed by medical staff. The source of the bite remains unidentified.
The players
Ellie Davis
Davis is an ABC7 weekend anchor whose suspected fire ant bite on Siesta Key Beach drew attention to the hazard.
UF/IFAS Extension
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension service provides research-based guidance on pests such as fire ants across Florida.
The details
Davis felt something bite her foot while covering a Girl Scout cleanup on Siesta Key Beach. Fire ants send a signal and all bite at once, and they sting while holding on with their jaws, a pattern consistent with the reported symptoms.
Timeline
Red imported fire ants arrived from South America in the 1930s.
The article reporting Davis's warning was published on November 4, 2026.
Seasonal Patterns
Red imported fire ants arrived from South America in the 1930s and now dominate Florida and much of the Southeast. The Davis incident reflects that long-established presence rather than a new or isolated hazard.
Residents and visitors to Sarasota's beaches should watch for fire ant mounds and avoid disturbing them, especially if they have known allergies. Anyone experiencing swelling, numbness, or breathing difficulty after a bite should seek medical care promptly.
The takeaway
Fire ant bites can cause serious swelling and nerve effects even when no bite mark is visible, so unexplained pain on Florida beaches warrants medical attention. Recognizing the species that dominate the local environment helps people take early precautions.
Further reading
For more on incidents like this, browse Accidents coverage in the Sarasota area.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WENG 98.1FM, 107.5 FM & 1530 AM.
