Anticimex confirms a second focus of the invasive ant 'Trichomyrmex destructor' in a building of six homes in Palma. Neighbours have suffered bites and experts are calling for intensified control.
The Singapore ant, an invasive species that has already settled in the Balearics, has shown signs of life again in Palma. A team from Anticimex, a company specialising in pest control, has confirmed a new focus in a building of six homes in the Balearic capital, where several neighbours have already suffered bites. This is the second documented case since its establishment was first detected in a residential block in the city in October 2025.
An invasive species that worries experts
Carlos Pradera, an urban pest expert from Anticimex and author of the study that identified the first focus in Palma, has pointed out that this new finding confirms that the species has already settled on the island. “It is necessary to intensify control plans because it is a rather bothersome invasive species for people,” he warned. The Singapore ant, scientifically named Trichomyrmex destructor, was first detected in Spain in 2005 at the port of Barcelona, after arriving in a shipment from South Korea.
How does it affect Palma residents?
Residents of the affected building have reported bites that, although not dangerous to health, are bothersome. The ant, small in size and light brown in colour, tends to form large colonies and can spread rapidly through homes if action is not taken in time. In the Balearics, 16 species of exotic ants have already been identified, some of which are included in the Spanish Catalogue of Invasive Exotic Species. Experts recommend maintaining strict hygiene in homes, properly storing food, and checking goods that enter the house. In case of any suspicion, it is best to contact professionals to prevent the colony from spreading throughout the building.
A growing problem linked to goods transportation
The spread of this ant is linked to international trade. Since its arrival in Barcelona, it has been spreading to other areas of the Mediterranean coast. In Palma, the new focus demonstrates that the species has not only survived but is also reproducing. Pradera insists on the importance of citizen collaboration: “If citizens detect it or have doubts, it is essential to contact pest control experts to combat it effectively.” Meanwhile, the neighbours of the affected building have already handed the case over to specialists, who are working to eradicate the colony before it spreads to other homes in the area.
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