Baden-Württemberg - a state in Germany - Ant intruders trigger power failures; a "super colony" treatment remains ineffective.
During the battle against an invasive ant species, the mayor of Kehl, Wolfram Britz, has raised concerns and asked for assistance from the state environmental ministry and other institutions. The town of Kehl in the Ortenau district noted that communities shouldn't tackle this problem independently.
As a non-partisan municipal politician, Britz remarked, "From our perspective, it is vital to form effective networks involving representatives from research, business, and politics." This effort must be prompt, smooth, and sustained.
Environmental Officer of Kehl: "There's nothing secure that works against the invasive ant"
The city acknowledged that two neighborhoods have been affected by the Mediterranean species Tapinoma magnum. The town has been combating these ants since the fall using hot foam. However, their population has rapidly multiplied, leading to a "supercolony" spanning several hectares and home to millions of ants in the Marlen district.
The black insects have already infiltrated houses and caused power and internet disruptions, per the city's announcement. The town's environmental officer Gregor Koschate expressed, "There's nothing secure that works against the invasive ant." The effort to vanquish a single supercolony alone could cost the city at least 50,000 euros every week.
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Despite the city's attempts to combat the ant invasion using hot foam, the Mediterranean species Tapinoma magnum has formed a "supercolony" in the Marlen district, causing power and internet failures in several homes. The environmental officer of Kehl, Gregor Koschate, admitted that there is currently no secure method to control this invasive ant species. The town's manager, Wolfram Britz, emphasized the need for collaboration between research, business, and politics to address this issue effectively.
