Japan: Land ministry taking steps against fire ants

Japan’s land and transport ministry is making repairs at Yokohama Port near Tokyo after hundreds of venomous fire ants were found in cracked asphalt.

More than 700 ants, including larvae and pupae, were found in the cracks near shipping containers at the Honmoku wharf earlier this month.

On Tuesday, workers filled in numerous cracks with asphalt and cement. The cracks are caused by metal prongs on the bottom of shipping containers. Workers also placed traps in the area where the ants were discovered.

A senior official says repair work will continue with shipping firms that use the wharf.

Source and image: NHK