Warning over fire ant misconception as vehicles stopped as part of ongoing surveillance

Yahoo

31-07-2025

Australians are urged to be on alert for one of the country's worst and most notorious invasive species currently on the move. Authorities warn that, despite common belief, they're actually much smaller than most people realise, making the individual super pests difficult to spot.
Earlier this month, officials confirmed the detection of red imported fire ants in New South Wales, found at a property in Tweed Heads in July 2025. A pest control contractor discovered the nest, which was immature and without a reproductive queen, and it was destroyed within 24 hours.
The NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) has since carried out surveillance at 270 sites in the local area while the National Fire Ant Eradication Program has treated 85 hectares of land.
"There are no known fire ants in NSW," a DPIRD spokesperson told Yahoo News on Wednesday, adding that there is no evidence of continued spread in the state from that nest. "Surveillance and treatment in the adjacent area, and investigation into the possible source, is continuing."
Describing the ants as "one of the world's worst invasive species", the department says it is maintaining dedicated preparation, prevention and early detection strategies.
"NSW regulates the movement of fire ant carriers to protect NSW from fire ant risks. Border surveillance operations have stopped nearly 700 vehicles, with 24 sent back to Queensland for non-compliance.
"Surveillance is continuing, with the NSW fire ant team conducting more than 2,120 activities and three waves of sentinel detection since November 2023. Odour detection dog and human teams have inspected 138 hectares of high risk sites, and all high-risk sites have been found free of fire ants to date."
Locals reminded over fire ant misconception
The state's various authorities continues to engage the community in order to raise awareness about how best to spot the super pest.
"Fire ants are smaller than most people realise. They're only two to six millimetres in length, but what they lack in size, they make up for with aggression, adaptability and efficiency," the Agricultural and Biosecurity departments outlined in a social media post reshared on Wednesday to remind the public of what to look for.
"In comparison, the much-feared backyard adversary, the red bull ant, is five times the size. Fire ants will also vary in size within the nest, which is a key identifying trait. Most other ant species are uniform in size or have two sizes within the nest."
Where did fire ants come from, and why are they dangerous?
Native to South America, red imported fire ants are one of the world's worst invasive species. They form large colonies capable of producing soil mounds that damage agricultural equipment, infrastructure, and even building foundations.
They strike quickly with a venomous sting that causes painful pustules in most people and can lead to serious allergic reactions or even life-threatening anaphylaxis in sensitive individuals.
Their ecological impact is equally serious. Fire ants are aggressive predators that feed on insects, reptiles, ground-nesting birds, and small mammals, posing a threat to endangered species such as cassowaries, Gouldian finches, hawksbill turtles and green turtles. They can disrupt seed dispersal, pollination, and soil ecosystems, further unbalancing native environments.
Related: Aussie mum sounds alarm over deadly garden threat
What can happen if they're left unchecked?
Economically, the threat is immense. If left unchecked, fire ants could eventually cause billions in damages nationally, with projections for Queensland devastating, driven by losses in agriculture, livestock deaths, infrastructure damage, healthcare and potential declines in property values.
They could cause six deaths and trigger 116,000 medical visits annually, according to a recent report from the Australia Institute. The electorates of Coomera on the Gold Coast, Bundamba and Jordan in Ipswich, and Logan are expected to be the hardest hit.
Modelling shows that in each Queensland state electorate, fire ants could sting more than 16,500 people per year and lead to more than 1,200 extra medical visits, including over 330 cases of anaphylaxis. The cost to medical systems could top $500,000 annually, while vet visits would rise by more than 2,000, adding a further $204,000. In total, combined households are projected to fork out an average of $2 million per year on pest management and related expenses, including $1.3 million in direct costs to manage fire ants.
The National Fire Ant Eradication Program, launched in 2001, now spans parts of South East Queensland and northern NSW, yet gaps in funding and enforcement have spurred warnings from experts that the program may not be equipped to prevent future incursions.
Since first arriving in Australia in 2001, fire ants have survived floods and droughts by forming floating rafts of linked workers, are capable of flying up to five kilometres during swarming events, and often spread via contaminated cargo, turf, soil, hay, or equipment.
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What to do if you see fire ants in NSW
LEAVE IT: Do not move ants or treat the nest. Fire ants are prohibited matter in NSW.
SNAP IT: Safely take a clear photo or video for identification.
CALL IT: Call NSW Biosecurity on 1800 680 244 and submit an online form.
Early detection and strict biosecurity protocols are crucial to preventing further establishment outside the main eradication zone.
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