A North Carolina park known for disc golf, soccer, and wooded areas is dealing with an unusual problem: millions of native red mound ants. Officials say the population has become so dense that some visitors are getting swarmed, and researchers are now stepping in.

According to town officials, Wendell Park has been dealing with the ant issue for at least a decade.

According to WRAL, North Carolina State entomologists identified the species as Formica integra, a native ant also known as the Eastern mound ant or red mound ant.

While the ants are native to the region, their numbers in this particular park appear unusually high.

Research lead Christopher Hayes said that he does not know of another site with so many ants packed into such a small space.

The ants do not sting, but they can spray acid when disturbed. 

"If you have sensitive skin or there's a potential that you could react to the acid that they spray on you, and that's a concern for the public," Hayes told WRAL. "They're also hyperaggressive. … If you step in the wrong place, you can be suddenly covered with thousands of ants."

The situation also highlights how difficult it can be to keep ecosystems in balance.

According to WRAL, Eastern mound ants improve soil quality, control pests, and provide food for other wildlife. But when one species becomes too concentrated in a small area, the result can be both ecological disruption and a public health concern.

Researchers are also studying how the ants relate to other insects in the park, including the invasive Asian needle ant.

That kind of imbalance can make neighborhoods and shared public spaces harder and costlier to manage — a challenge that slows progress toward healthier, more resilient communities.

To address the issue, the town has partnered with Hayes and other N.C. State entomologists on a response effort that will run through September. About 50 bait traps are being placed around the park as part of a monthslong study designed to better understand colony behavior and reduce the population.

Importantly, the goal is not to eliminate the ants altogether.

Because they are native, researchers want to lower their numbers to a more manageable level while preserving their ecological role. That balancing act could help restore the park for visitors without causing unnecessary harm to the surrounding environment.

In the meantime, experts are advising parkgoers to take practical precautions.

Hayes recommended wearing long socks and tucking pants into them while also watching where you step. Those steps will not solve the larger problem, but they may help visitors avoid painful encounters while the study continues.

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