As warmer months bring more outdoor activity across North Carolina, experts are warning residents to watch out for a lesser-known but potentially dangerous insect: the Asian needle ant.
The insect is often overshadowed by the more familiar red imported fire ant, but experts are raising awareness of the growing impact of the Asian needle ant and its serious sting risk—particularly for those with allergies.
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“The Asian needle ant is an invasive pest ant that established here several decades ago and has kind of gone under the radar a lot of the time,” said Christopher Hayes, NC State Extension Associate for Structural Pest Management. “Lately there is news of this small black ant that is seen traveling around by itself, oftentimes on the soil, with a very severe, potentially life-threatening sting.”
Hayes explained the Asian needle ant’s solitary behavior makes them more evasive and separates them from other ant species.
“These Asian needle ants are small, and they stay alone for the most part and honestly wander around on the ground like they’re confused,” Hayes said. “You’d see one ant here, one ant there, and it isn’t until you uncover the log or the mulch or wherever they’re hiding that you realize, ‘Oh, we’re really close to a colony.""
The ant is one of many invasive species the scientist has been researching through the Hayes Structural Pest Research Lab. He shared North Carolina’s climate is similar to the Asian needle ant’s native environment, making the state a perfect home.
“They do really, really well here, and they out-compete a lot of native ant species over food, over housing—where they want to be and where they want to stay,” Hayes explained.
Unlike odorous house ants you may see climbing a kitchen wall or fire ants that build a large mound, the scientist shared Asian needle ants often aren’t detected – unless paired with a painful sting.
The sting of an Asian needle ant carries a higher-than-average risk of anaphylaxis, according to Hayes.
“Overall it seems small, it’s a little over 2% on average, but 2% is quite high when fire ants can range from roughly 0.5–1.5%. These Asian needle ants are consistently on that higher end,” he said.
The researcher noted stings can often happen when the ant is squished or gets trapped beneath clothing or inside gardening gloves.
Hayes added NC State is working to improve awareness by adding more public resources to its Wolf Pest app to help with identification.
“When we have these invasive species come in and they go undetected they spread, and they spread right under our nose under the radar until they become a major issue," he said.
Richard Cohen of Mosquito Joe, a pest control service operating in Raleigh-Durham, said the ants are now showing up in a wider range of environments.
“They’re starting to see them infect structures, residential homes and kitchens, as well as commercial restaurants and schools,” Cohen said. “One of the unique things about these kinds of ants is they will be in places that are uninhabited, like forests, as well as things that have been disturbed by people.”
Cohen said homeowners should contact pest control immediately if they suspect they have Asian needle ants nearby.
“The good news is they’re not aggressive like fire ants. The bad news is they do sting—it’s painful like a bee—and if you’re allergic to insect bites, they could be dangerous,” he said.
Both experts say proper treatment involves a multi-pronged approach.
Cohen explained Mosquito Joe often uses baiting as a method to control ants of any kind.
“We’ll put a band about three-feet-wide of the bait,” said Cohen. “We’re going to bait around the house, and anywhere we see a crack or crevice we’re going to put a little extra product and ant bait in that crack or crevice.”
Baiting usually works best when ants pick up the bait and lead other ants to do the same. Due to the Asian needle ant’s unique solo behavior, other methods – like treating your lawn – may be required.
Hayes urged homeowners to be vigilant and noted they can also help mitigate the problem by getting rid of places the species likes to live.
“They love timbers that you may use in gardens and raised garden beds,” said Hayes. “If you have old decaying wood in your backyard, they love that stuff too. Clearing that out can be really helpful.”
The scientist stated getting rid of these ants "may take some trial and error.”
“If you’re dealing with them or you think you may have them, it’s important to get a pest management company involved early so they can, as the professionals they are, handle it,” Hayes said. “But it may not be an overnight fix.”
If you're unsure whether you’ve seen an Asian needle ant, Cohen offered one tip: “Put them in a jar and the needle ants will try to climb but they’ll slide back down. They don’t climb as well as other ants do.”
As North Carolinians spend more time outdoors, both experts encourage residents to stay aware—and proactive.
“Most people just see an ant and they’re like, ‘Oh, it’s an ant,’” Hayes said. “But they are really different.”