Two more fire ant nests found in Moreton Bay

Eradication officers from the National Fire Ant Eradication Program are actively working in the City of Moreton Bay following the discovery of two new fire ant nests.

Moreton Bay City Council staff detected a suspected fire ant nest D'Aguilar, while conducting targeted surveillance activities, and reported it to the program on October 31.

The nest and one further nest, which are located just outside the program’s containment boundary, were treated on the same day using direct nest injection, and initial surveillance in the area is now happening.

The ants have been confirmed as fire ants.

A National Fire Ant Eradication Program spokesperson says: “all detections of fire ants found outside our containment boundary are concerning, but the program has established procedures to manage outlier detections.

“The program has initiated an emergency response to assess the extent of the infestation and develop a comprehensive eradication treatment plan.”

Community safety messaging, including signage, will be distributed and installed soon.

“Eradication activities, including intensive treatment and surveillance, will extend up to 5km from the detection site to protect the area and ensure no undetected fire ants remain,” the spokesperson says.

“The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) assesses and registers and/or permits the products the program uses to treat fire ants, ensuring they are safe for people, animals, and the environment.

“The treatment contains active ingredients commonly found in household and agricultural pest control products, but at significantly lower concentrations.”

Compliance and tracing investigations have started and aim to determine how the ants arrived in the area.

Residents and businesses in D'Aguilar are encouraged to check their properties and local area for suspect fire ants or nests immediately.

Fire ants are copper brown in colour with a darker abdomen. They measure 2–6 mm in length with a variety of sizes found in each nest. Fire ant nests look like mounds or flat patches of loose soil with no clear entry or exit holes.

All suspect ants or nests must be reported to the Program online at fireants.org.au or by phoning 132 ANT (13 22 68).

Visit fireants.org.au for more information.