British tourists in Tenerife warned after 'invasive' bug found in popular area - The Mirror

British tourists in Tenerife warned after 'invasive' bug found in popular area'Invasive and harmful' little fire ants that have painful stings have been found near a complex on the edge of a

golf course in a tourist-riddled coastal town in Tenerife, researchers have confirmedCommentsTravelLiam Gilliver Senior Reporter16:46, 03 Jun 2025Updated 08:07, 04 Jun 2025Little fire ants

have been found in the south of Tenerife, it has been confirmed(Image: Getty Images) One of the world's most 'invasive and harmful' bugs has been found in a tourist-riddled hotspot in

Tenerife, according to researchers.

Entomologists Antonio Pérez and Irene Santos from the Institute of Natural Products and Agrobiology confirmed the presence of the little fire ant (Wasmannia auropunctata) in the coastal town

of Los Cristianos - known for its UK-centric strip of pubs and restaurants, as well as its golden sandy beaches and water sports offerings. These tiny little creatures , which are

approximately just 1.5mm long, can deliver painful stings, especially when multiple ants strike at once and can wreak havoc on the environment.

‌ Little fire ants have been known in the past to blind animals, force livestock to be removed from infested paddocks, and decimated entire native ecosystems. They often form supercolonies,

which can span hundreds of kilometres.

‌READ MORE: Ryanair axes all flights from EU airport and adds new UK flight in major revampLittle fire ants have painful stings, especially when they all attack together(Image: Getty

Images/iStockphoto) According to Canarian Weekly, the highly invasive species was found near a complex on the edge of a golf course in the town - and sparked 'immediate containment' efforts

by the government. It is suspected the ants - native to Central and South America - arrived on the island via imported plants. However, this has yet to be confirmed.

Local media states the Canary Islands government has already initiated measures to work out the extent of the infestation, and are laying down the groundwork for possible eradication. Those

in the local area are being urged to 'remain vigilant' and report any unusual ant activity to their local authority.

Article continues below If you're deterred by the creepy crawlies, it might be worth ditching your annual trip to Tenerife for an alternative Canary Island. Just yesterday, we reported how

El Hierro - once believed to be the 'end of the world' - remains the least crowded island on the archipelago.

Known for its wildlife-rich waters, stunning seafood, and natural swimming pools - this under-appreciated island offers a more laid-back atmosphere compared to party-mad Tenerife. "The

smallness of the island does not prevent you from finding a surprising variety of scenery on it," states the Canary Island's official tourism board. "Best of all is that, as the distances

are so short, we can have a relaxing swim at the coast one minute and be walking along a trail among Canary Island pines or laurisilva species a short while later."

‌ There are no direct flights to El Hierro from the UK, but you can grab return flights from Tenerife for just £80 in the summer months. There is also a wide range of accommodation types on

the island to suit most people's budgets.

For example, a week's stay (Monday, July 14-21) at Apartamentos y Habitaciones Villa Marina will set you back just £224. This price is based on two adults sharing a one-bedroom home with two

single beds and a sofa bed. If you're after something a bit more regal, check out Hotel Puntagrande. This stunning hotel set on a tongue of lava rocks, surrounded by the ocean, costs £1,446

on the exact same dates.

*Prices based on Skyscanner and Booking.com listings at the time of writing.

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