The Asian needle ant is an "unusual pest," according to N.C. State. Unlike other pest ants such as the fire ant, the Asian ...

North Carolina’s warm and humid climate makes ... identify the Asian needle ant is to “look at their butts.” “Carpenter ant abdomens are large. They’re kind of like a sphere.

are spreading across the U.S. and are present in North Carolina. These ants are smaller than carpenter ants but larger than sugar ants, and are dark brown to black with lighter colored legs.