An invasive species of ant known as an electric fire ant was discovered in a town in Australia. It was identified as a painful and venomous insect that can cause blindness.
Biosecurity Queensland confirmed on Thursday that the little fire ants were found at the local waste transfer station in the city of Yungaburra.
The local council was able to collect the suspect insects during a routine check.
Officials are now asking the people of the town to help them identify the source of the problem.
In a statement, Biosecurity Queensland said that it is asking the people to help identify the source of the problem by registering for free yard checks.
The invasive insects can reportedly kill and displace native wildlife. They can also blind and hurt animals.
Officials noted that almost half of all electric ant infestations were found during the one-hour inspections. Some of the residents who responded to the request said they had never heard of the invasive species.
One of the residents stated that they were already dealing with the fire ants and electric ants. The tiny insects can cause severe pain and allergic reactions.
According to an organization that focuses on the invasive species, people who are stung by electric ants might blame sand flies or mosquitoes for their welts.
Those who are harvesting fruits or trimming branches can also be stung by the ants, which are native to South and Central America.
The fire ant was first discovered in the city of Cairns in 2006. Although it has never been found outside of the region, the council noted that there could be several supercolonies waiting to be discovered.
The electric ants can also be found in Western Australia and Southern NSW. They are about 1.5 millimeters long and have a golden brown color.
They are social and are usually found in groups. They can be found in various places, such as under plants, bedding, and mulch. They can also survive in water and can sting people in their swimming pools.