Ant alarm in Pfungstadt: Invasive species conquers schools!

Ant alarm in Pfungstadt: Invasive species conquers schools!

A new problem has arisen in Pfungstadt: invasive ants were spotted at the Helene Weber School and the Erich Kästner School. rheinmainverlag.de reports that it is probably the species Tapinoma magnum, also known as the large glandular ant. This species, originally from the Mediterranean region, was first discovered in Germany in 2009 and is increasingly spreading in sunny, dry areas.

An unusual number of ants have appeared on school grounds. Experts suspect that the ants come from the neighboring cemetery, where there is a heavy infestation on the wall near the Helene Weber School. The ant trails literally lead from the cemetery directly to the schools, although the infestation in the cemetery area is more pronounced than in the school area.

The discovery and combat

An inspection of the Helene Weber School documented the infestation in various places, and the caretaker had already discovered the ants in the building. To get the problem under control, the district's Da-Di plant hired a pest company. While the hot water foam method is used in Reinheim, a different strategy was chosen in Pfungstadt. The fight here is carried out with special baits, and initial results show that the building is almost ant-free.

Further inspections are to take place before the start of the new school year. The city of Pfungstadt is also involved in the control measures outside and in the cemetery, while the district continues to work on the school grounds.

What makes this species of ant special?

The Tapinoma magnum is an extremely invasive species that boasts large colonies of over a million workers. plantura.garden highlights that these ants can colonize a large area of ​​up to one hectare. They are anything but friendly: they drive out native species, care for aphids and pose a serious threat to the local flora and fauna. They also cause serious damage to infrastructure and buildings as they undermine paths and invade houses.

Although they are not known to be dangerous in the sense of painful bites, their supposed harmlessness belies the real problem. The ants hardly have any natural predators in Germany, which makes it easier for them to spread. Anyone who finds something in their garden or on their property should contact the local authorities, even if there is no general obligation to report.

Some experts recommend early action. Successful control methods include the use of nematodes, which in combination with diatomaceous earth provide welcome support. Chemical measures are also possible, but caution is advised here. To keep populations low, it is advised to use at least 50 million nematodes per area and follow-up treatment after two weeks.

The situation in Pfungstadt is a clear example of the challenges that invasive species bring with them. Anyone who thinks it's just a small problem will quickly be proven wrong. Start acting before the ants gain a foothold - because that makes the difference!