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Homes & Gardens
Homes & Gardens
Sophia Pouget de St Victor

Invasive Asian needle ants are spreading fast, and their painful stings are particularly savage – an expert entomologist reveals how to stop them ruining your summer plans

English country garden.

The Asian needle ant (Brachyponera chinensis) is a highly invasive ant species with hidden habitats and intense stings. These ants are among the most widespread invasive species worldwide, and they're spreading fast.

What makes these insects particularly loathsome is that their sting is both acutely painful and in many cases, dangerous. Knowing how to get rid of ants outdoors might not equip you with all the arsenal you will need to tackle Asian needle ants, since they are particularly difficult to get shot of.

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