Last updated: September 30, 2020
Fire ants, which have highly poisonous stingers and are designated as a specified alien species, have been confirmed in Japan. If you find a creature that looks like a fire ant, please reach out and be careful not to get bitten or stung. In particular, the poisonous stinger remains effective even after death, so do not touch it with bare hands.
Symptoms that occur in all people include the moment you are stung, you feel a severe pain that feels like heat, a small red rash appears at the stung site, and the next day, pus appears to have collected in the center of the red rash. After that, the skin symptoms will gradually improve.
However, people who are allergic to fire ant venom may experience allergic reactions (anaphylactic shock) such as hives, difficulty breathing, decreased blood pressure, and impaired consciousness.
If you feel unwell or otherwise feel unwell, please seek medical attention immediately.
Please see below for detailed characteristics of fire ants, precautions, and what to do if you find one or get stung.
The Ministry of the Environment has set up a fire ant consultation line and a chatbot (automatic conversation program) consultation desk.
Phone number: 0570-046-110
(For IP phone: 06-7634-7300)
Reception days: Every day including Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays (excluding December 29th to January 3rd)
Reception hours: 9am to 5pm
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 more information on fire ants, please visit the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Bureau of the Environment website.
Inagi City Urban Environment Development Department Green and Environment Division Phone: 042-378-2111
