[Press Release] Confirmation of fire ants at Yokohama Port

In Funabashi City, Chiba Prefecture, an ant found in a container was confirmed as a fire ant on Monday, September 9, but since the container was landed at Yokohama Port, until it was landed, Investigate the place where it was placed (Honmaki Wharf). As a result, an ant found on Tuesday, September 10 was identified as a specific alien species on Wednesday, September 11, based on species identification by an expert requested by the Ministry of the Environment.
All confirmed individuals are killed, and insecticide bait (bait agent) and traps are installed around the confirmation point, and no new ants have been identified.

1 Process
9/6 The Kanto Regional Environment Office of the Ministry of the Environment notified Yokohama City that a container where a suspicious ant was found in Funabashi City passed through Yokohama Port. (Refer to the attached sheet: September 10, 2019, Ministry of the Environment, "Confirmation of fire ants in Funabashi City, Chiba Prefecture") Yokohama City has insecticide bait (bait agent) and traps installed at places where the container was landed at Yokohama Port.
Ants were found on traps installed on 9/10 and 9/6 and on the ground around them.
In addition to performing insecticide treatment, insecticide bait (bait) and traps are installed around the area.
Insecticide bait (bait) and traps are installed inside and around the empty container returned from Funabashi City to Yokohama Port.
From Yokohama City to Kanto Regional Environment Office of the Ministry of the Environment.
9/11 Kanto Regional Environment Office of the Ministry of the Environment asked experts to identify them.
The expert confirms that the ant is a fire ant.

2 About the ants confirmed this time
Ants confirmed at Yokohama Port are fire 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 have been confirmed, and if suspicious ants are found, promptly kill them.
In addition, we will alert port officials and share information with related organizations.

4 To Our Business Operators
（1） About points to note
・Stimulation of fire ants may cause stabbing.
・If you find an individual or nest that is suspected to be a fire ant, do not irritate (try to step on an ant, break the nest, etc.).
（2） About the response when stabbed
・First, rest (about 20 to 30 minutes), and if your condition changes rapidly, 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).