Carpenter Ants Found In Liner

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31986, 13 May 1969, Page 1

Carpenter Ants Found In Liner

(New Zealand Frees Association;

AUCKLAND, May 12. A large number of black carpenter ants was discovered in the No. 2 hold of the United States passenger liner Mariposa, which berthed this morning at Auckland. '

It is believed to be the first time the half-inch-long ants, considered a bigger danger to timber than borer, have been found in a passenger ship. The ants were discovered in their hundreds by watersiders who had begun emptying the 42 tons of general cargo in the hold. Only several bags of mail had been taken off. These were immediately returned and the hold was sealed. There is no foodstuffs or luggage in the hold. The nest was fumigated this afternoon by a commercial firm, but because the vessel carries passengers the

:i chemical used may not kill , the ants. i A fog-like chemical was i used.' If the more lethal methyl bromide gas had been I used all passengers would • have had to leave the ship. The liner is due to leave I for Sydney tomorrow evening. ' If the. nest is not killed the i hold will have to be treated ■ again there. I Forest Service employees ■ searched the ship today but . found no other signs of the I ants. The Mariposa is on a Pacti fic run and is carrying i nearly 300 passengers.