European fire ants have experts on alert

European fire ants were first discovered in the region in 2010 and they’ve been spreading ever since.

Since they were first detected here three years ago, they have spread to Richmond, North Vancouver, Burnaby, Chilliwack, Maple Ridge, Courtenay and Victoria.

And now a growing number of British Columbians are learning what it feels like to tick off a fire ant.

Unlike most other ants, fire ants bite first and then while holding tight, start stinging multiple times.

Walking aggravates the problem and the vibration from human feet or paws is all it takes to incur their wrath.

That is perhaps the best way for a non-expert to tell the difference between a European fire ant and passive domestic ants.

In their native Europe, fire ants aren’t a huge problem because there are other species that keep their numbers in check, but not in B.C.

As a result, they are more aggressive and more numerous.

Aside from a nasty sting, which can cause severe allergic reactions in some, fire ant infestations can reduce property values.

While Richmond has put up a few signs in its McDonald beach dog park, most of the municipalities with infestations are not warning the public.

Nor are they doing much to solve the problem, but that isn’t necessarily their fault

“Like any invasive species, there no silver bullet and that is what is complicated about it,” says Jennifer Grenz with Invasive Species Council of Metro Vancouver. “To put an insecticide down, you might kill the ants on the surface, but if do not kill the queen, she just moves to another location.”