A grandad has been hospitalised after being attacked by a swarm of angry fire ants in a Kent woodland.
James Bennett, 56, said it felt like being "hit with darts" when the cloud of insects surrounded him while he was on a dog walk.
He woke up the next day to find his arms, legs and stomach had ballooned after around a dozen stings, and he was rushed to hospital.
Medics said the puncture wounds were infected and prescribed bed rest and strong antibiotics.
Mr Bennett, from Sittingbourne, Kent, warned others to be aware while out in woodlands.
The grandad-of-two said: "I have never experienced anything like this in my life.
"I've had wasp stings before but this was different - it was like being hit by darts.
"They were quite persistent. I could feel stings all up and down my body and I just ran away as fast as I could.
"The next day three of the bites had completely blown up. I'm still swollen and bruised now, but I'm doing ok.
"I just want other people to be aware if they're out walking in the woods. Imagine if it had been a dog or a young child."
Mr Bennett was out walking his and wife Cherie's two dogs in a local park when he was attacked on Sunday.
He felt a sting on his ankle, and was swarmed seconds later while he bent down to inspect the surprise pain.
He described seeing a "haze of really small insects" but couldn't properly make them out. Suddenly it was like being "hit by lots of darts at once".
He said: "I couldn't see what was happening which was what made it so scary.
"It was far worse than a wasp sting and they were all over my body."
After sprinting away, he called his wife and rang 111 when they arrived at daughter Sam Bennett's house in Detling, near Maidstone.
An ambulance arrived to attend to around 11 stings across his back, neck, legs, arms, ankles, wrist and stomach - and paramedics believed they were from fire ants.
The creatures are red and black and can be up to 6mm long, producing a burning sensation when they bite.
He was able to go home that day, but was rushed to hospital by Sam, 27, the following morning after waking up and finding his arms, legs and stomach severely swollen.
He said: "I just want to make people aware that these things can happen and to be cautious."
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