Press Releases
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More traces of red fire ants found after intensified inspection Intensified inspection of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department today (January 27) has identified more places with suspected traces of red fire ants. In today's operation by the department's patrolling team, 40 mounds of the suspected ant species have so far been found within the Hong Kong Wetland Park area, 19 of which have been destroyed with pesticide and properly treated. The department has also started disinfecting a site near Yeung Uk Tsuen, Yuen Long where six suspected mounds were found. Inspection of the site was made this afternoon upon a referral from the public. "We will continue with our full mobilisation to locate possible affected sites in the new vegetation areas, particularly those in the countryside," a department spokesman said. "Our 300-strong patrolling team will watch out for any traces of the ants in the country parks and nurseries, and the tightening of inspection of potted plants from the Mainland will be maintained." No suspected nests were found by the AFCD staff during their patrol of 400 recreational sites and 28 trails in the country parks. Nor were any abnormalities found in the potted plants amid the department's inspection of 32 trucks in the Ta Kwu Ling treatment area and 33 nurseries in the New Territories. "We call on farmers to stay vigilant in monitoring pest conditions in their farms, and the general public to apply household pesticides on infested plants," said the spokesman. The Government has maintained close liaison with the Mainland to combat red fire ants. Samples of the suspected ants found in the Wetland Park have been sent to experts in the Mainland for further examination, in addition to others having been sent to academies in the United Kingdom and Japan.
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