Urgent action must be taken to ensure that imported red fire ants do not establish themselves on the island, to prevent economic and environmental problems, a plant pathologist has warned.

Sam Fraser-Smith, of PlantLab Ltd, said that he was becoming increasingly concerned about efforts to remove the invasive insects after he discovered the first colony on the island last November.

Mr Fraser-Smith said: “Bermuda was fortunate to detect the incursion at a very early stage. That early detection means complete eradication is still achievable.

“However, the window of opportunity will not remain open indefinitely.

“As warmer weather approaches, the likelihood of nuptial flights will increase, accelerating dispersal and making eradication significantly more difficult.”

He added that the discovery of another colony was a “cause for concern” and that the consequences of a failed response would be felt quickly.

Mr Fraser Smith said: “The personnel on the ground, including the overseas expert assisting the government, are dedicated and working extremely hard.

“My concern is not with their effort but with the level of institutional support behind them.

“In my view, the response appears under-resourced relative to the seriousness of the threat.”

He said that agencies in other jurisdictions had embraced the use of detection dogs as part of early stage eradication programmes because fire ant colonies do not always have visible above-ground mounds.

Mr Fraser-Smith added: “Incorporating a trained fire ant detection dog could materially improve the likelihood of locating any remaining colonies.

“If eradication is not achieved, the consequences will be long-term and costly.

“Fire ants cause painful stings and can trigger severe allergic reactions and, in rare cases, life-threatening anaphylaxis.

“In regions where fire ants have become established, they have caused ecological disruption and agricultural damage.

“There is documented risk in other jurisdictions to ground-nesting birds and native invertebrates.

“Establishment would also impose ongoing pest control costs on homeowners and could negatively affect Bermuda’s tourism product.”

He suggested that if fire ants became established on the island, they could bring an economic burden of $15 million a year between suppression programmes, household pest control and utility system damage. He added that the insects were “uniquely serious pests on electrical infrastructure”.

A government spokesman said last week that the Department of Environment and Natural Resources was using a “proactive and science-based approach” to managing the insects.

He explained: “All confirmed colonies identified to date have been treated.

“Monitoring and surveillance efforts are ongoing, particularly in higher risk areas such as ports of entry, cargo facilities and plant nurseries.

“The use of detection dogs is one of several tools that have been successfully utilised in other jurisdictions and it is an option that could be considered as part of Bermuda’s longer-term biosecurity strategy.

“At this stage, DENR has not deployed a detection dog. However, a range of response measures are being assessed to ensure the most effective and proportionate methods are applied.

“As with all invasive species responses, decisions will continue to be guided by expert advice, operational feasibility and the overall risk assessment to Bermuda.”

The Government said that the first colony was identified in Hamilton Parish, with a second colony found in late December at the Hamilton cargo dock.

In January, a government spokesman said that the dock colony was likely the “original founding colony” for the ants discovered in Hamilton Parish, urging anyone who imported bulk cargo within the past year, particularly from the southeast US, to inspect their properties.

Fire ants are aggressive and can sting when disturbed.

Anyone who suspects a fire ant mound, sees the insects or experiences an unusual ant sting is urged to report it immediately.

Reports, including photographs where possible, should be e-mailed to fireants@gov.bm, as well as the location or GPS co-ordinates.