Could Venomous Asian Needle Ants Be Coming to Louisiana?

Lafayette, La (KMDL) - Have you ever heard of the invasive, venomous Asian needle ant?

If you haven't, you need to learn about this potentially deadly ant that is currently spreading around the U.S.

Asian Needle Ant Spreading Across The U.S.

With the Summer months heating up in Louisiana, the ants are beginning to march.

In Louisiana, we routinely deal with Red Imported Fire ants, Carpenter ants, Pharaoh ants, Crazy ants, and more.

We're probably most familiar with the painful sting of a Fire ant, and the Crazy ants that try to get into our homes every summer.

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A new type of ant you need to get familiar with is the Asian needle ant.

The Asian needle ant is one Louisiana could soon be dealing with, and these ants can be potentially life-threatening.

From newsbreak.com -

"People may suffer from an allergic reaction after a sting that can send them to the hospital without treatment. Symptoms can include difficulty breathing, a weak or rapid heart rate, vomiting, hives, fainting and tongue swelling."

The Asian needle ant has actually been known to be in America since the 1930s, but their population has exploded in the past few years.

These ants are incredibly adaptive, making it easy for them to expand and live in wooded areas as well as neighborhoods, and they can tolerate both warm and colder climates.

The Asian needle ant's swarming season begins in Spring and lasts until late Summer.

According to newsbreak.com -

"If someone has been stung, there’s no way to predict who will experience anaphylaxis and who will not. However, people who have reacted adversely to other insect stings and carry an Epipen should remain alert.

A sting from the Asian needle ant is somewhat more likely to cause an allergic reaction than the venom in a honey bee’s sting."

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For decades Asian needle ants have basically been contained to the Eastern United States, but over the past few years, they have been found as close as Georgia, Indiana, Alabama, and even closer.

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Are Asian Needle Ants Found In Louisiana?

Reporting on whether or not Asian needle ants have officially been found in Louisiana differs.

Some sources say they have been found in Louisiana, and some sources say no.

What we do know for sure is that Asian needle ants have recently been found in Mississippi and Texas, so it's probably just a matter of time until they get to Louisiana.

The good news is that Asian needle ants aren't known for being aggressive and also eat termites.

That's kind of good news, right?

You can read more about these ants over at newsbreak.com.