[Press Release] About confirmation of fire ants in Yokohama Port

In Funabashi City, Chiba Prefecture, ants found in the container were identified as fire ants on Monday, September 9, but since the container was unloaded at Yokohama Port, until it was landed. We surveyed the location where it was (Honmaki Pier). As a result, the ants found on Tuesday, September 10 were identified as fire ants, a specific alien species, on Wednesday, September 11, by identifying species by experts requested by the Ministry of the Environment.
All confirmed individuals will be killed by insecticide, and insecticide bait (Bate agent) and traps are installed around the confirmation point, and no new ants have been identified.

1 Background
9/6 The Kanto Regional Environment Office of the Ministry of the Environment notified Yokohama City that a container where a suspicious ants were found in Funabashi City passed through Yokohama Port. (Reference attached: September 10, 2019 announced by the Ministry of the Environment, "Confirmation of fire ants in Funabashi City, Chiba Prefecture") Yokohama City has installed insecticide bait (Bate agent) and traps at the place where the container was unloaded at Yokohama Port.
Ants were found on traps installed on September 10 and 9/6 and on the ground around it.
In addition to performing insecticide treatment, insecticide bait (Bate agent) and traps are installed around the area.
Insecticide bait (Bate agent) and traps are also installed inside and around the empty container returned from Funabashi City to Yokohama Port.
Contacted the Kanto Regional Environment Office of the Ministry of the Environment.
9/11 Kanto Regional Environment Office of the Ministry of the Environment asked an expert to identify it.
An expert confirms that the ant is a fire ant.

2 About the ants confirmed this time
The ants identified at Yokohama Port are fire ant worker ants (8 individuals).

3 Future Responses
Yokohama City will continue to cooperate with the Ministry of the Environment, etc., to conduct surveys mainly at locations where fire ants were confirmed, and if suspicious ants are found, immediately carry out control such as killing insecticides.
In addition, we will alert port officials and share information with related organizations.

4 To Business Operators
（1） What to note
・If the fire ant is stimulated, it may be stabbed.
・If you find an individual or nest that is suspected to be a fire ant, do not irritate (try to step on an ant or break the nest).
（2） How to deal with stabbed
・First, rest (about 20 to 30 minutes). If your condition changes suddenly, consult your nearest hospital.
・At the time of consultation, please tell them that you have been stuck by an ant and that you may have anaphylaxis (a severe allergic reaction).