Urgent alert as fire ant nests found
Two nests of highly invasive red imported fire ants have been detected and destroyed outside of official biosecurity zones in Queensland.
Red fire ant nests were discovered by a local pest manager at the Harmony Estate, a new residential neighbourhood in the Sunshine Coast locality of Palmview, on Tuesday.
The following day, officers from the National Fire Ant Eradication program attended the site and destroyed the nests using insecticide injections.
Harmony Estate does not lie within one of the fire ant biosecurity zones, which are designed to restrict the movement of materials that could spread fire ants.
Over the past year, nine new fire ant outbreaks found outside official biosecurity containment zones have occurred on residential construction sites.
The National Fire Ant Eradication Program said they are continuing to work with developers who deal with materials that can carry fire ants, such as soil, pot plants, nursery stock, sand, gravel, grass, turf, hay, wood, or soil-moving equipment, to stop the spread.
A spokesperson from the National Fire Ant Eradication program said residents in the area should be on the lookout and report any other sightings of the highly invasive pest.
Extreme weather events, including ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, have fuelled the spread as the insects were forced above ground and floated on top of flood waters, which carried them into new areas.
Since the beginning of March, the National Fire Ant Eradication Program has received 60 reports of extreme reactions to fire ant stings requiring medical attention in southeast Queensland.
Of those reports, 23 people required hospitalisation.
This surge has also reportedly led to the death of a pet dog in Logan.
Fire ant stings, while generally not life threatening, can cause severe allergic reactions such as anaphylaxis in some people.
The most common reaction is a burning sensation, redness and swelling.
In addition to health impacts, fire ants feed on fauna that nests or feeds on the ground, and can displace or eliminate native species.
While each insect is only 2-6 mm long, the Queensland government estimates that if not eradicated, the impacts of fire ants in Australia will surpass the combined damage done each year by all other pests, including feral cats, wild dogs, foxes, camels, rabbits and cane toads.
Native to South America, red imported fire ants were first detected in Brisbane, Queensland in 2001.
The National Fire Ant Eradication program has successfully eradicated six separate incursions in Queensland, and one each in New South Wales and Western Australia.
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Urgent alert as fire ant nests found
Two nests of highly invasive red imported fire ants have been detected and destroyed outside of official biosecurity zones in Queensland. Red fire ant nests were discovered by a local pest manager at the Harmony Estate, a new residential neighbourhood in the Sunshine Coast locality of Palmview, on Tuesday. The following day, officers from the National Fire Ant Eradication program attended the site and destroyed the nests using insecticide injections. Harmony Estate does not lie within one of the fire ant biosecurity zones, which are designed to restrict the movement of materials that could spread fire ants. Over the past year, nine new fire ant outbreaks found outside official biosecurity containment zones have occurred on residential construction sites. The National Fire Ant Eradication Program said they are continuing to work with developers who deal with materials that can carry fire ants, such as soil, pot plants, nursery stock, sand, gravel, grass, turf, hay, wood, or soil-moving equipment, to stop the spread. A spokesperson from the National Fire Ant Eradication program said residents in the area should be on the lookout and report any other sightings of the highly invasive pest. Extreme weather events, including ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, have fuelled the spread as the insects were forced above ground and floated on top of flood waters, which carried them into new areas. Since the beginning of March, the National Fire Ant Eradication Program has received 60 reports of extreme reactions to fire ant stings requiring medical attention in southeast Queensland. Of those reports, 23 people required hospitalisation. This surge has also reportedly led to the death of a pet dog in Logan. Fire ant stings, while generally not life threatening, can cause severe allergic reactions such as anaphylaxis in some people. The most common reaction is a burning sensation, redness and swelling. In addition to health impacts, fire ants feed on fauna that nests or feeds on the ground, and can displace or eliminate native species. While each insect is only 2-6 mm long, the Queensland government estimates that if not eradicated, the impacts of fire ants in Australia will surpass the combined damage done each year by all other pests, including feral cats, wild dogs, foxes, camels, rabbits and cane toads. Native to South America, red imported fire ants were first detected in Brisbane, Queensland in 2001. The National Fire Ant Eradication program has successfully eradicated six separate incursions in Queensland, and one each in New South Wales and Western Australia.
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Invasive red fire ants are wreaking havoc in Australia, sending dozens of people to hospitals and creating worry about how bad things will get. After the remnants of Cyclone Alfred dumped heavy rain on Southeast Queensland in early March, an already big problem worsened, CNN reported, citing the Australian Broadcasting Corp. Sixty people required medical attention because of fire ant stings, and 23 were hospitalized. A puppy was found dead on a fire ant nest, and livestock and native species are at risk as well. The government has earmarked another 24 million Australian dollars for suppression efforts, but residents are concerned about the ants' explosion and potential for harm, which includes pustules and allergic reactions in humans. "They're just everywhere. They're crawling over patios, they're coming into our homes, they get flicked up on the lawn mower, on the tractor," construction worker Scott Rider told ABC Rural. Fire ants reached the country via Brisbane in 2001 and have since spread to Queensland, New South Wales, and the Murray-Darling Basin, according to the Invasive Species Council. CNN noted the critters have established themselves in North America and China and last year for the first time were seen in Europe. Over 95% of Australia is susceptible to the invasive species, and it could cost the economy $2 billion AUD every year. A study also estimated that 38% of mammals, 45% of birds, 69% of reptiles, and 95% of frogs in Southeast Queensland would experience population declines because of the ants. The state Fire Ant Suppression Taskforce has set up a perimeter around the infestation to try to keep the animals from spreading further. It has so far spent $61 million AUD on bait and aerial treatments to reduce the density of colonies by up to 80%. "The only assistance that residents in the [suppression] zone are getting is bait being sent out if they report fire ants," horse agister Kirsty McKenna told ABC Rural. "There is no team assistance and no support." A national plan hopes to eradicate fire ants by 2032, but landholders in the inner suppression zone have to treat the problem themselves. Otherwise, granules are spread via airplanes, helicopters, drones, all-terrain vehicles, and handheld devices, with the size of the treatment area determining the method. Should we be actively working to kill invasive species? Absolutely It depends on the species I don't know No — leave nature alone Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Areas should be undisturbed, including by mowing or watering, for 48 hours afterward, and poultry should be kept away for 24 hours. Hay, turf grass, and other materials also can't be moved without inspection and cannot cross borders. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
