AN invasion of fire-starting Asian ‘super ants’ which have a fatal attraction to electricity and are known for building massive colonies has been found in the North for the first time.

Academics at the University of York have confirmed an infestation of lasius neglectus ants has been found this year in North Yorkshire, but declined to reveal the location, and said the ants could be at many more sites yet to be uncovered..

The species, which are also known as fire ants and thrive in greenhouses and domestic gardens, may invade the interior of houses and occupy electrical fittings, causing short-circuits or damage to electro-mechanical devices.

Researchers say the ants’ huge colonies can also dramatically alter ecosystems, driving native species to extinction by out-competing them for food and space and meaning their impact on biodiversity could be huge.

At the North Yorkshire site gardeners are taking precautions to minimise the likelihood of furthering the colony.

First discovered in the country in 2009, there are six known UK infestations of the lasius neglectus, which are thought to have arrived in the UK through the import of plants. The ants pose no threat to humans, but it has been estimated invasive species costs the UK £1.7billion annually through damage and management costs.

In response, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs commissioned a report into the ants’ potential spread.

Since 2014, Dr Elva Robinson has worked alongside PhD student Phillip Buckham-Bonnett to establish the extent of the invasion in the UK.

Their work has formed the basis of a Rapid Risk Assessment, which has been submitted to the government’s Animal and Plant Health Agency.

Dr Robinson said apart from being slightly smaller, the invasive garden ant looks a lot like the common native garden ant, so they can be difficult to recognise.

She said gaining a strong understanding of the species’ place in the native habitat would help manage the situation.

Dr Robinson said: “We think the invasive ants have the potential to have a big impact on the native ecosystem. In the sites we have studied, it is clear they are excluding the native ants. They are clearly dominating, and where they cluster, native species are being pushed out. They have been discovered in gardens and glasshouses, but we don’t yet know whether these ants will be able to thrive outside areas of human habitation.”