Invasive, Stinging Ant Could Soon Be Crawling Into Illinois

I hate bugs.  Yep, I said it.  I can't stand bugs, but don't have a single bone in my body to smoosh them when they're in my house.  I'm too nice.

Imagine my face when I found out there's a new bug making its way to Illinois and it's not just a little ol' stink bug.  Oh, no.

Invasive, Stinging Ant Could Soon Be Crawling Into Illinois

It's called the Asian Needle Ant.

Related: 6 Disgusting Bugs You Need to Watch Out For in Wisconsin

It's carnivorous, invasive, and terrifying.  These ants have already made an appearance in 20 states, including Wisconsin, which means Illinois could be next.  Nope, no thank you.

Listen, this Asian Needle Ant is a triple threat.... according to the North Carolina State University Entomology Department.

1. It's really tiny; their colonies are so small that they can sneak into your homes at any time without you knowing.

Eliminate nesting sites by sealing all of your entry points and keep your home moisture-free so these pests aren't tempted.

1. They're harmful to other bugs; Asian Needle ants will kick out native ants and termites, which are really important to our environment.

"The Asian needle ant apparently prefers termites as a food source but has been found scavenging on a variety of arthropods and other invertebrates such as crane flies, crickets, cockroaches, beetles, grasshoppers, collembolans (“springtails”), spiders, centipedes, earth worms and other dead organisms." [entomology]

 

1. It stings and HURTS; you could feel sharp pain for hours and potentially spark allergic reactions.

"If you are stung by an Asian needle ant, the pain hurts at first, disappears and then comes back, a process that can repeat itself. “The first, initial pain lasted a few seconds. Then about five minutes later, when the pain had eased, I felt 'ouch!' as if somebody had stung me again in the same place." [wftv]

Where do they like to hide usually?  In mulch, firewood, logs, and leaf piles.  If you have any of those around your house, stay cautious!  Ain't nobody trying to get stung out here!