Venomous Ant With Possibly Fatal Sting Spreads in United States

An invasive venomous ant with a potentially deadly bite is spreading throughout the United States.

The venomous Asian needle ant is spreading throughout the United States, and its sting can cause an allergic reaction that could send people to the hospital. Symptoms of the dangerous sting can include difficulty breathing, a weak or rapid heart rate, vomiting, hives, fainting, and tongue swelling.

Dan Suiter, an Orkin distinguished professor of Urban Entomology at the University of Georgia, recently opened up about the potential dangers of the invasive species of ant.

"We are now considering it a medically important pest," Suiter told Fox Weather. 

"It gets a little bit more serious when the sting of an insect can be life-threatening to people who suffer anaphylaxis," Suiter continued.

The invasive species is native to Asia. While it has been in the United States for more than 90 years, the population has recently exploded, spreading primarily throughout the Carolinas, Georgia, Indiana, and Alabama. However, the potentially deadly ants have also been seen as far north as New York and Washington.

Part of the reason for their spread is their resilience, as they can live in warm and cold weather and thrive in both forests and urban environments, nesting under doormats or in potted plants. They can even eat human garbage.

“This behavioral versatility is allowing the Asian needle ant to move into forests, rural areas, and urban environments at the same time. And because it can tolerate cooler temperatures, it could spread into a broad range of territory,” said Dr. Mary Bates of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

The ant's swarming season typically stretches from the spring to late summer, during which time the ants may enter people's homes.

It's worth noting that there’s no way to predict who will experience anaphylaxis and have a potentially deadly reaction to the sting. However, people who have reacted adversely to other insect stings and carry an Epipen should remain especially on alert.