Super Pests Threaten to Invade Southern Parts of Australia

Fire ants are seen in a nest on a cane farm in Norwell, on the Gold Coast, June 15, 2023. (AAP Image/Jono Searle)

A new biosecurity order has been put in place to prevent fire ants from entering New South Wales (NSW) from Queensland, which experts fear will become “worse than rabbits, cane toads, foxes and feral cats combined.”

The super pests fire ants were found on the Gold Coast near the border with NSW in a nest on private land used as a pony club.

Immediate biosecurity order was placed on the area, and any materials of high risk were prohibited from moving in a radius of five kilometres without inspection by the Queensland authorities.

Experts Are Concerned

Tara Moriarty, the NSW Agriculture minister, said that it is crucial to inform businesses and residents about the fire ants and ask them to report any sightings of the insects they encounter.

“This is the closest detection of fire ants to the NSW border since they were first detected at the Port of Brisbane in 2001 and more recently at Mermaid Waters in Queensland, 11.5 kilometres north of the border,” said the minister on Sunday.

“It is important to keep NSW free from this invasive and aggressive pest, which, if established, will have a huge impact on the way we live our lives and could affect our export markets and ability to trade.”

Reece Piants, the spokesperson for Invasive Species Council, thinks that the imposed restrictions on high-risk materials like soil, mulch, hay, etc. can help temporarily to prevent the ants from crossing the border. However, they cannot be a permanent solution.

Mr. Piants shared that containment had been breached six times in the last six weeks, as the eradication program was underfunded.

“We urgently need the federal, state and territory governments to stop mucking around and get on with the ramp-up of the eradication program,” the spokesperson said.

“There are no excuses for further delay, underfunding and inaction.”

Funding Issues

Recently agricultural ministers met in Perth, WA, and despite the fact that the fire ants were identified as a “very real threat,” there was no agreement on the funding to eradicate this super pest.

To an extent, this was due to a review that estimated that the Australian fire ants eradication program would cost at least $3 billion (US$2 billion) over five years period.

However, NSW is committed to contributing $95 million over four years, according to Ms. Moriarty.

The Invasive Species Council said this year the funding is only $60 million, which is $34 million less than last year, and this is not good for Australia.

“If fire ants spread across Australia, they will be worse than rabbits, cane toads, foxes and feral cats combined,” said the council.

“They are racing towards the NSW border, but our governments are stuck like rabbits in the headlights.”

However, the Queensland Agricultural Minister Mark Furner is determined to work on eradicating the super pests.

“They are extremely dangerous not only to humans but also to agriculture, land, and animals,”  explained Mr. Furner, the ABC reported.

“They are a super pest, and we need to make sure we suppress and then eradicate them.”

To make sure people comply with the biosecurity rules, more compliance officers are being deployed to monitor the situation

“We will be coming down tough on compliance,” Mr. Furner said.

“There are fines in the act of up to $470,000 or three years’ imprisonment.”

What Are Fire Ants?

Fire ants are a type of stinging ant known for their aggressive behaviour and painful bites. They belong to the genus Solenopsis and are native to South America, but they have been introduced to other regions around the world, including the southern United States, parts of Australia, and parts of Asia.

Appearance: Fire ants are relatively small, usually measuring about 3-6 mm in length, have a reddish-brown to black colour and a distinctive segmented body, and they can vary in size within one nest, also known as a mound.

Mounds can vary in size and shape, depending on the species and the location of the colony. The mounds can often be found in open, sunny areas, such as lawns, fields, and gardens.

Fire ants have a potent sting that can cause a burning sensation, hence their name “fire ants.” When they bite, they inject venom into their victims, leading to painful, red, and itchy welts, with some people even experiencing allergic reactions to their stings.

The species are considered dangerous as they can exhibit aggressive swarming behaviour when their nests are disturbed. If a person or animal accidentally steps on or disturbs a fire ant mound, the ants will quickly swarm and attack, leading to multiple stings and potential health risks, especially for sensitive individuals.

Fire ants are also known to attack and sting livestock, including cattle, horses, and small animals. These stings can cause pain and distress and even lead to secondary infections.

The ants are considered an agricultural pest as being omnivorous, they can decimate agricultural crops. They can damage fruit trees, vegetable crops, and row crops by feeding on seeds, seedlings, fruits, and young shoots. Their constant foraging can also reduce crop yields and quality, affecting farm profits.

Additionally, as they build extensive and interconnected underground tunnels and chambers in the soil, it can disrupt soil structure and affect water infiltration. This can lead to decreased soil fertility and water-holding capacity, impacting crop growth.

Controlling fire ant populations in farming areas is essential to mitigate the damage they cause. Integrated pest management strategies may include the use of bait stations, insecticides, biological control agents, and preventive measures to reduce the spread of fire ants to new areas. Additionally, farmers can take steps to minimize the conditions that attract fire ants to their farms, such as removing food and water sources near crop fields and barns.

If you suspect that you might have sighted fire ants, please report that within 24 hours to The Australian Fire Ants Eradication Program by calling 132 523, or fill out the QLD government’s online form.