9-7-11: Asian Needle Ant Brings Powerful Sting to North Carolina
Asian Needle Ant populations growing and spreading throughout eastern U.S.
Raleigh, N.C. — There’s a new stinging pest in our state, and it comes in a small package. The North Carolina Pest Management Association (NCPMA) today warned North Carolinians to be on the lookout for the Asian Needle Ant, a relatively new pest to our state.
“Asian Needle Ants have been in this country since the 1920s but only became a pest in the last five years. We consider it a pest because of its ability to eliminate other ant species and infest homes and its painful, sometimes dangerous, sting,” said Eleanor Spicer Rice, graduate research assistant at North Carolina State University. “It’s important to remember that these ants only sting as a protective measure. They sting only if they are trying to get away from an attacker.”
The Asian Needle Ant is a small ant that is long, slender and dark brown to black in color. The ant is known to sting humans, and, because of their unique venom, the sting can be harmful even if a person is not allergic to other types of stings.
Asian Needle Ants prefer moist, damp places and have been found in natural areas such as logs, acorns or potted plants and also in man-made areas such as under doormats, dishwashers, corrugated cardboard, sprinklers or termite traps.
Unlike other ants, the Asian Needle Ant cannot climb on slick surfaces such as glass. Therefore, the easiest way to identify the ant is by carefully placing it in a glass jar to see if it can climb to the top.
“As with any pest problem, it’s important to have a professional evaluate and treat the problem to prevent making the situation worse,” said Lee Smith, entomologist and board member of NCPMA. “NCPMA’s member companies are trained in the latest methods for treating and preventing Asian Needle Ant infestations.”
Because Asian Needle Ants can cause painful stings or worse to those allergic to the bites, it is important to seek a pest management professional’s help in treating any suspected infestation. Rice and the NCPMA also offer the following tips for preventing infestations and/or stings.
- Home Prevention: Make sure all windows and doors are properly sealed and weatherproofed to prevent ants and other insects from entering the home.
- Gardening and Landscaping: Locate all potted plants and mulch away from the home’s foundation. And, since Asian Needle Ants can be found but not necessarily seen in mulch, always use gloves when gardening.
- Sting Prevention: Never brush an Asian Needle Ant off of your body as this can cause them to react by stinging. Instead, attempt to have them walk off of you onto a card or piece of paper.
- Pest Prevention: Have a qualified pest management company regularly inspect your property for signs of infestations and always call a pest professional if a problem is suspected. A list of pest management companies statewide is located at www.ncpestmanagement.org.
About the NCPMA
Founded in 1952, the North Carolina Pest Management Association (NCPMA), is the trade association representing the professional pest management industry in North Carolina. NCPMA promotes the continued cooperation and success of all pest management businesses in North Carolina. Formerly, the North Carolina Pest Control Association, NCPMA is the only statewide association dedicated to representing and educating North Carolina’s pest management professionals. To learn more about NCPMA, please visit www.ncpestmanagement.org.
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