Red Fire Ant Colony Discovered at Incheon Port... Control Measures Implemented

On the 8th, it was announced that the quarantine authorities have launched pest control measures after red imported fire ants, an invasive pest, were discovered at Incheon Port.

The red imported fire ant, known to originate from South America. It is said that multiple queens sometimes merge their colonies to form a larger colony (Photo by Wikipedia).

The Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency found 10 red imported fire ants at the Sunghwang Shin Container Terminal yard in Incheon Port the previous day, and through a joint expert investigation on the same day, they discovered an additional 400 ants including larvae.

The Quarantine Agency installed defensive barriers using sticky paint and anti-scattering nets within a 5-meter radius around the ant discovery site and its surroundings, and implemented measures to prevent spread such as spraying disinfectants. Furthermore, they designated a 50-meter radius around the ant discovery site as a control zone, and containers within this zone were disinfected before being moved.

Starting from this day, 1,845 additional surveillance traps will be installed throughout the container yard, and a detailed investigation will be conducted for one week. Additionally, disinfectants and ant baits (insecticidal bait) will be sprayed on containers and the yard floor within the control zone to block further spread.

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