‘Carnivorous’ Ants With Dangerous Sting Found In Wisconsin, May Be In Illinois

Consider the summer bugs-stakes raised.

When you think of animals that would make you burn down your house, you probably think of snakes. But now there's a certain ant making it's way into that category.

According to NBC Chicago, the Asian Needle Ant has been spotted in Wisconsin and is possibly making it's move to Illinois. After all, it's been found in 20 states already.

The mini-brat is hard to spot, as it's small and looks like a run-of-the-mill house ant. Except this one stings and actually eats those house ants.

North Carolina State University Entomology says that the ant is a "triple threat" to humans.

Problem one: the sting. If one of those ants stings you, you could have a sharp pain that comes and goes over several hours (or an allergic reaction is possible too, since the ant's sting has more venom than a honeybee's).

Problem two: they infest homes. They live in both "disturbed" and natural areas. So besides in your house, the ants are also in leaf litter, firewood, mulch, or rotted logs. They can be found pilfering food from kitchens and school cafeterias. Obviously house ants get all over that stuff too, but this risk is being stung.

Problem three: they devastate the environment. By eating all of the native ants, natural processes like seed dispersal and hunting already-existing forest pests are both gone.

Asian Needle Ants are also different from house ants because they can cling to smooth surfaces like glass. If you put one in a jar, it will make several attempts to get out.