Invasive Ant Inquiries and Consultations
Please be cautious of fire ants
The red imported fire ant, which has a strong venomous sting and is designated as an invasive species, has been confirmed in the country. If you find a creature that you suspect to be a red imported fire ant, please be very careful not to touch it to avoid being bitten or stung. In particular, the venomous sting can still be effective even if the ant is dead, so please do not touch it with bare hands.
In case of being bitten by a fire ant
As a symptom that appears in everyone, there is a sharp pain that feels hot at the moment of being stung, a small redness appears at the site of the sting, and by the next day, there is a buildup of pus in the center of the redness. After that, the skin symptoms gradually improve.
However, for individuals with an allergy to the venom of the red imported fire ant, allergic reactions (anaphylactic shock) such as hives, difficulty breathing, low blood pressure, and loss of consciousness may occur.
If you feel any abnormalities such as poor health, please visit a medical institution immediately.
For detailed characteristics and precautions regarding the red imported fire ant, as well as how to respond if you find one or get stung, please refer to the information below.
About Consultation Desk
The Ministry of the Environment has established a consultation hotline for fire ants and a consultation window through a chatbot (automated conversation program).
Phone number: 0570-046-110
(For IP phone: 06-7634-7300)
Reception days: Every day including Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays (except from December 29 to January 3)
Reception hours: 9 AM to 5 PM
Available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We will answer your questions about the ecology of fire ants, how to identify them, and how to deal with them.
For detailed information on dangerous invasive species such as fire ants
For detailed information about fire ants, please visit the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Environment Bureau website.
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Inquiries about this page
Inagi City, Department of Urban Environment and Development, Living Environment Division
2111 Higashi-Naganuma, Inagi City, Tokyo 206-8601
Phone number: 042-378-2111 Fax number: 042-377-4781
Contact the Living Environment Division, Urban Environment Management Department, Inagi City