Stinging, invasive Asian needle ants are in Ohio. Here's where, why they're a problem
A species of invasive stinging ants is on the rise as they hit peak season in the summer. Asian needle ants deliver a painful and venomous sting capable of causing allergic or even life-threatening reactions.
Native to Asia, the insects are known as Brachyponera chinensis (roughly translated as "short, wicked ant from China") and have since spread to the U.S. with documented sightings in 20 states, including Ohio. While tiny, the ants can also infest homes and disrupt natural environments by excluding native ant species and termites.
Asian needle ants reach their yearly peak activity in June and July. Here's what to know before they arrive.
Asian needle ants are a species of carnivorous ants native to China, Japan and the Koreas, according to USA TODAY. These dark brown ants have been found to live in colonies in leaf litter and rotted logs but can also be found inside potted plants, underneath wood piles, and in lawns. The "needle" part of its name refers to its stinger.
While they are difficult to track, Asian needle ants have been found in Ohio with at least four reported sightings, per antmaps.org. More than a dozen other states have reported Asian needle ant sightings.
Ohio State University's Buckeye Yard and Garden confirmed the non-native stinging ant species in Southwest Ohio. The ants can nest inside landscape mulch, compost bins, homes, kitchens and dumpsters.
No. Unlike fire ants, Asian needle ants are smaller, less aggressive and will try to avoid humans, however, most stings occur when someone accidentally places their hands in nests or on the ants, according to NC State University Entomology. The pressure causes them to deliver a defensive sting that can last for hours or even days.
Experts recommend wearing thick gloves when handling outdoor items like mulch to help prevent stings. Eliminating nesting sites is also advised, including reducing moisture-heavy areas in and around your home and sealing entry points, according to Orkin.
Should you encounter a colony of Asian needle ants, protein-based insecticide baits can also be used, though the method isn't foolproof.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Asian needle ant stings can include the following symptoms:
Skin reactions include hives, itching, and flushed or pale skin.
Low blood pressure (hypotension).
Constriction of the airway, wheezing, and difficulty breathing.
Swollen tongue or throat.
Weak and rapid pulse.
Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
Dizziness or fainting.
Psychological symptoms, such as a feeling of impending doom.
This story was updated to add a gallery.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Stinging Asian needle ants found in Ohio. Here's why it's a problem
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Yahoo
This recent URI grad had a late-night snack. An allergic reaction killed him.
After their son, a recent University of Rhode Island graduate, died just days after his graduation from anaphylactic shock, a Massachusetts family is raising awareness about food allergies. Timothy Howard, who grew up in Southborough, Massachusetts, died May 24 from a severe allergic reaction to a late-night snack − a chocolate bar − that was contaminated with peanuts, his mother, Patty Howard, told USA TODAY. His whole body went into shock. He went into his parents' bedroom, and they administered three EpiPens, a life-saving drug used by people at risk of anaphylaxis and other allergic reactions, but the reaction was "very fast," and the EpiPen "didn't work." The chocolate bar Timmy ate said "may contain" peanuts on the label, according to his parents. His mother says if a food label says it "may contain" your allergen, don't take the risk. Now, his family is sharing their story to prevent similar tragedies. His sister, Julia, says manufacturers need to make food labels clearer instead of relying on "may contain" warnings. His dad, Tim, says that individuals also need to carefully read those labels. Timmy Howard's Phi Kappa Psi fraternity brothers are raising money for the Food Allergy Research & Education, a nonprofit advocacy organization that spreads awareness and funds research for food allergies. They've raised nearly $28,000 as of June 12. The donations will go toward advancing anaphylaxis research and treatment options; supporting education programs in schools and communities; promoting life-saving awareness and emergency preparedness and advocating for stronger food allergy policies and labeling laws. "We don't want people to go through what we're going through after burying our child. This is hell," his mother says. Howard's story is frightening and not entirely uncommon. Food allergies impact more than 33 million people in the U.S. You can never assume a food or object is free of your allergen, experts say, as it can lurk in the most unexpected places. Fish and shellfish, for example, are sometimes dipped in milk to reduce their fishy odor, putting those with dairy allergies at risk. Cross-contamination – when an allergen is accidentally transferred from one food to another – can also expose you to an allergen. Federal laws require that the nine most common allergens – milk, egg, peanut, tree nuts, soy, wheat, fish, shellfish and sesame – must be labeled on packaged foods sold in the U.S. However, there are no laws requiring manufacturers to say whether a product may have come into contact with a specific allergen, allowing potential cross-contamination to fly under the radar. Teenagers and young adults with food allergies are at the highest risk of fatal food-induced anaphylaxis. "This age group is a high-risk group," Timmy's mother says. "They are independent. They don't want to trouble people at a party to say, 'Hey, what's in this brownie?'" Contributing: Katie Camero and Providence Journal Staff reports. This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Recent URI graduate dead after anaphylactic shock from food allergy
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Yahoo
9-year-old girl bit by shark while snorkeling in Florida, family says
A 9-year-old girl is recovering after being bitten by a shark in the waters off Boca Grande, Florida, officials and her family said. The girl was swimming in the ocean with other family members around noon local time on June 11 when a shark bit her, Boca Grande Fire Chief C.W. Blosser said in a social media video. Emergency personnel responded to the scene, and she was airlifted to a local hospital, Blosser said. "The person was in the water at the time the bite occurred with other family members," he said. "They were able to get her out of the water and get her up on actually to the road." Blosser said the girl is the first swimmer bitten by a shark in the area in two decades. In 2024, there were 14 unprovoked shark bites in Florida, the most of any state, according to the Florida Museum of Natural History. "These occurrences are limited, but there always is a potential," Blosser said. "I don't think it's a cause for alarm at this point." Family members identified the girl who was bitten by a shark off Boca Grande as 9-year-old Leah Lendel, according to Gulf Coast News and WBBH. The girl's mother, Nadia Lendel, wrote in a story on Instagram, where she has over 90,000 followers, that Leah was undergoing surgery. "Please keep our family in your prayers," the Instagram story reads. "Leah got bit by a shark today while snorkeling." According to a GoFundMe raising funds for Leah's medical expenses, the young girl was bitten on the hand while playing in the water with her siblings. "She is now stable and going through surgery - fighting hard for her road to recovery," the GoFundMe says. The fundraising page also said Leah's family does not currently have medical insurance, and they expect "the journey ahead will be long and full of physical and emotional healing." USA TODAY contacted Nadia Lendel for comment on June 12 but has not received a response. Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. She can be reached at This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 9-year-old girl survives shark attack in Florida
USA Today
18 hours ago
- USA Today
9-year-old girl bit by shark while snorkeling in Florida, family says
9-year-old girl bit by shark while snorkeling in Florida, family says According to a GoFundMe for the girl's family, she "had to be rushed to the hospital" after being bitten by a shark. Show Caption Hide Caption Shark attacks Montara State Beach surfer, chomps board A surfer survived a close encounter with a shark just off Montara State Beach over the weekend, though his equipment wasn't so fortunate. Fox - Ktvu A 9-year-old girl is recovering after being bitten by a shark in the waters off Boca Grande, Florida, officials and her family said. The girl was swimming in the ocean with other family members around noon local time on June 11 when a shark bit her, Boca Grande Fire Chief C.W. Blosser said in a social media video. Emergency personnel responded to the scene, and she was airlifted to a local hospital, Blosser said. "The person was in the water at the time the bite occurred with other family members," he said. "They were able to get her out of the water and get her up on actually to the road." Blosser said the girl is the first swimmer bitten by a shark in the area in two decades. In 2024, there were 14 unprovoked shark bites in Florida, the most of any state, according to the Florida Museum of Natural History. "These occurrences are limited, but there always is a potential," Blosser said. "I don't think it's a cause for alarm at this point." Girl bitten by shark is 'fighting hard for her road to recovery' Family members identified the girl who was bitten by a shark off Boca Grande as 9-year-old Leah Lendel, according to Gulf Coast News and WBBH. The girl's mother, Nadia Lendel, wrote in a story on Instagram, where she has over 90,000 followers, that Leah was undergoing surgery. "Please keep our family in your prayers," the Instagram story reads. "Leah got bit by a shark today while snorkeling." According to a GoFundMe raising funds for Leah's medical expenses, the young girl was bitten on the hand while playing in the water with her siblings. "She is now stable and going through surgery - fighting hard for her road to recovery," the GoFundMe says. The fundraising page also said Leah's family does not currently have medical insurance, and they expect "the journey ahead will be long and full of physical and emotional healing." USA TODAY contacted Nadia Lendel for comment on June 12 but has not received a response. Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. She can be reached at
