Au Fu-sum, 53, had never heard of red fire ants before this week's reports, but he believes every effort should be made to keep them out of Hong Kong. Ride from Tsing Yi to Admiralty. Fare: $213.40.
I had never heard of red fire ants until I learned of the infestation in Shenzhen earlier this week.
I don't think the ants will affect us in Hong Kong that much as it is not yet confirmed if the anthills the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department found in Tin Shui Wai are really red fire ants. But of course the SAR government should step up inspecting the nurseries, checkpoints and country parks.
The Hong Kong government responded pretty fast this time by setting up a taskforce to deal with a possible outbreak.
There is nothing to be afraid of. It takes loads of them to kill a human. I was bitten by an ant in a Tai Po park 10 years ago.
The wound swelled and it was pretty painful, but that's all.
