Fire Ants Invasion: South American Ants Spread to Israel, Experts Scramble to Fight Them

Fire ants are known for being aggressive and having a painful sting. Originating in South America, the ferocious insects in previous years have reached other parts of the globe, including the United States.

Now, the notorious invasive species have spread to Israel, and experts there are fighting their rapid spread and infestation. They are disruptive for humans and local ecosystems.

Amid the threat, Israeli authorities have joined forces to stop or mitigate the growing fire ant population in the Middle East nation, where the ants have been reported to be a nuisance in public areas and the workplace, as well as in other establishments. For this reason, a nationwide anti-fire ant invasion initiative has been launched by the authorities.

Israel Fire Ant Invasion

Tel Aviv University (TAU) has been involved in a fire ant project at its Steinhardt Museum of Natural History entomology laboratory for several years. The institution's researchers have partnered with Israel's Environmental Protection Ministry and the Nature and Parks Authority on anti-fire ant efforts, TAU entomologist Dr. Gilad Ben-Zvi told The Jerusalem Post.

One of the measures is to exterminate or dissolve granular bait pesticides. The baits will then be spread so ants can take them to their nests and reduce the ant queen's reproduction rate.

What are Fire Ants?

Fire ants (Solenopsis) consist of over 200 species. Yet, their common trait has always been being aggressive when disturbed and their ability to sting multiple times, injecting a venom that results in a burning sensation, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

For humans, a fire ant bite or sting results in itching, swelling, chest pain, nausea, or difficulty in breathing, according to the Oregon State University. Aside from the outdoors, fire ants are also known for infesting electrical equipment, even inside electronic gadgets.

Invasive Species

Fire ants can overwhelm local wildlife, especially other insects, small mammals, and even other ant species. For years, scientists have been aware of both the benefits and disadvantages of invasive ant species, with the latter being more dominant.

The U.S. government has acknowledged that fire ants can decimate a whole population of other species. For instance, the American Bird Conservancy stated the ants can have a devastating impact on ground-nesting animals, such as birds, in rural habitats.

In North America, the red fire ant, also known as the red imported fire ant (RIFA), was accidentally introduced from South America into Mobile, Alabama, during the late 1930s, according to the conservancy, which said it was possible through cargo ships containing soil.

Along with the black fire ant, the red fire ants spread quickly and even replaced two native fire ant species, as well as displacing the black ones. In the U.S., fire ant infestations have been reported in California, Kansas, and Maryland, according to the non-profit organization.