"European fire ant"

The commission heard three public interventions regarding bird-friendly building design, the European fire ant infestation, and the city's role in managing invasive species on private property.

The commission discussed the pilot intervention plan for controlling European fire ants in the Andromède wooded area. The city aims to control the species rather than eradicate it, focusing on a 10-meter buffer zone to protect private property, while emphasizing the need for public communication and citizen cooperation.

A resident of rue d'Andromède raised concerns regarding a European fire ant infestation on her property, which she claims originates from an adjacent City-owned lot. She noted that the City has been aware of this issue since 2015 and requested urgent action to address the nuisance.

The Commission reviewed an entomological study on the European fire ant and discussed potential control measures. The Commission recommended that the City launch a targeted public awareness campaign for affected sectors by summer 2024.