Invasive ant threatens Hesse: First specimens appear!

Invasive ant threatens Hesse: First specimens appear!

The threat of invasive ants

In recent weeks, reports of the species' invasive ants have been increasingTapinoma magnum, also known as the large gland ant. This species is continually spreading across Germany and is already having worrying impacts on local infrastructure. According to a recent report by Fulda newspaper The situation is particularly tense in Baden-Württemberg and other federal states, where environment ministers are urgently calling for a national list of invasive species in order to take preventive action against the spread.

The large colonies of these ants, which come from the Mediterranean region, not only pose a problem for gardens and public facilities, but have also already led to power and internet outages in the city of Kehl. Targeted measures are being taken there to control plant balls from the Mediterranean region in order to prevent further encroachment. Jörg Burkard, deputy chairman of the NABU district association in Fulda, reports that the main areas of distribution are in the southwest. The first specimens have already been spotted in Darmstadt, while fortunately they have not yet been detected in East Hesse.

Supercolonies and their consequences

What doesTapinoma magnumso dangerous? This species of ant forms huge supercolonies consisting of hundreds of thousands to millions of individuals. If these colonies find their way into buildings, they can cause significant damage. The progressive spread is encouraged by the summer heat, which makes combating it even more difficult. Interestingly, it isTapinoma magnumnot listed on the official EU list of invasive species, resulting in a lack of effective control measures. This leads to an enforcement deficit because there is a lack of both financial resources and staff among the responsible nature conservation authorities.

In addition to endangering buildings, these ants are also spreading to other regions of Europe. The species is already reported in Belgium and the Netherlands, and over 20 distribution locations have been recorded in Switzerland. Dictionnaire Amoureux des Fourmis highlights that their adaptability allows them to survive even in colder regions. The ants are known to remain active even at temperatures as low as 6-7°C.

Combat perspectives

Given this growing threat, there are different approaches to combating the invasive ant species. While permethrin has already been successfully attempted to reduce the population in Zurich, this poses a risk to the environment, particularly aquatic habitats. The use of less toxic alternatives, such as methoprene, is also discussed, but with the need to consider the environmental impact.

The complexity of the situation requires coordinated action by all federal states in Germany to contain the spread of these aggressive ants. It is clear that challenges could increase in the future if a comprehensive strategy is not developed. The Mirror reports on the urgent need to protect our biological ecosystems and agriculture from the effects of these invasive species.

Given the current situation, garden owners and citizens should be aware that these ants are not only a nuisance problem, but can have serious consequences for our environment and infrastructure. It is our responsibility to be vigilant and take necessary measures to prevent the spread of large gland ants.