Australians are being urged to take extra care when moving soil, mulch and anything with mud attached, as experts warn it is one of the biggest risks in spreading destructive red imported fire ants.
Fire ants are currently established in parts of southeast Queensland, while previous detections in northern NSW were treated and eradicated. NSW remains part of ongoing surveillance and treatment efforts to prevent the pest from becoming established.
The pests are considered one of Australia’s most serious invasive threats, with their aggressive stings capable of causing severe allergic reactions in people and posing risks to pets, livestock and native wildlife.
Australia may need to spend up to $300 million a year for the next decade to eradicate fire ants, with a government review warning that inaction could cost the economy at least $2 billion a year.
Fire ants can be difficult to identify, with worker ants ranging from about 2mm to 6mm in size. Source: National Fire Ant Eradication Program
What Aussies need to know about fire ants
Greenlife Industry Australia CEO Sean Cole told Yahoo News that the spread of fire ants could disrupt daily life in both metropolitan and regional communities.
“Red imported fire ants are a serious threat because their aggressive stings can cause severe allergic reactions in people, injure pets and livestock, and disrupt daily life in both cities and regional communities,” he said.
But Cole warned soil the main pathway for spreading fire ants.
Sean Cole warned Australians to be aware of what they move, with soil and mud considered a major pathway for spreading fire ants. Source: Supplied
“The main risk comes from soil because that is where red imported fire ants build their nests,” he said.
“If a nest is present, the ants will aggressively defend it, making an infested product almost impossible to pick up without being stung.”
He said plants from reputable retailers were considered low risk, while Australians should be cautious when moving soil or bulk landscaping materials.
Queensland teen suffers life-long allergies after fire ant attack
Fire ant attacks can be incredibly painful. One Queensland mum Ebony, from Greenbank in Logan, previously told Yahoo News her teenage son Kaleb suffered a life-threatening allergic reaction after being stung twice in late 2023.
The first time, he was stung just once on the foot but went into full anaphylaxis within five minutes — despite having no prior allergies.
Before Kaleb’s ordeal, the family had already lost their dog to fire ant stings.
Kaleb now has a life-long allergy and generally avoids tall grass. Source: Ebony Britton
How to stop the spread
Cole urged Australians to be careful when moving soil or anything with soil or mud attached, including landscaping materials, equipment and vehicles.
“The biggest message for Australians is to be very aware of what you are moving when handling soil or anything that has soil or mud on it, because that is the highest-risk pathway for spreading red imported fire ants,” he said.
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Fire ants can also be difficult to identify, with worker ants ranging from about 2mm to 6mm in size.
Cole said anyone who suspects they have found fire ants should avoid disturbing the nest and report it immediately.
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Sean Cole told Yahoo News that the spread of fire ants could disrupt daily life in both metropolitan and regional communities. Source: Invasive Species Council of Australia
Greenlife Industry Australia said nurseries have been operating under fire ant movement controls since the pest was detected, carrying out checks on plants, production areas and incoming materials.
The group said there has been no recent detections of red imported fire ants in commercial nursery stock, and urged Australians to be most cautious when moving soil and soil-contaminated materials.
Anyone who suspects they have found fire ants should avoid disturbing the nest and report it immediately via their state’s fire ant reporting service.
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