Fire ants are an imported pest Australia is working to keep at bay.
The potential spread of fire ants across the country is the stuff of nightmares for those looking to protect Australia’s biodiversity and agricultural industries.
Imported red fire ants
Flora and fauna take a devastating hit in the presence of these invasive omnivores. They’ve been known to kill or incapacitate livestock, and have the capacity to ruin vast stretches of crops.
The National Fire Ant Eradication Program offers a range of knowledge regarding imported red fire ants in Australia, including how to treat your property for fire ants.
Fire ants pose a real threat to Australia’s ecosystem. They are currently found primarily in Queensland, with recorded incursions into New South Wales.
This map shows locations of fire ants in Queensland for a year after identification.
The NSW Department of Primary Industries also offers details on New South Wales locations, along with helpful information and resources.
Fire ant stings
While Australia has had no human fatalities, there have been documented deaths in other countries, primarily caused by anaphylaxis.
Many species of ants simply bite, but fire ants sting, injecting venom. The pain of their sting is considered fire-like, hence the name, and one ant can sting repeatedly.
The Australian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy says while bee stings are the nation’s most common cause of anaphylaxis at 1 per cent of the population, fire ants document an anaphylaxis response in 2.8 per cent of a nation’s population.
Fire ants are known to swarm due to their aggressive territorial nature, meaning victims often experience multiple stings from numerous ants.
Why this ant is dangerous to Australia
Fire ants have the potential to affect so many aspects of life: from the wildlife around us, to the food we eat and even the conditions of our roads.
Part of what makes fire ants so threatening is their potential for linked colonies.
One colony alone can reach peak capacity of 400,000-500,000 ants, but linked or ‘super’ colonies have multiple queens and span millions of ants.
According to the Invasive Species Council, multiple-queen colonies can span up to 50 million ants per hectare, and more than 95 per cent of Australia is suitable for fire ant infestation.
What fire ants look like
Easy to miss at first, fire ants measure in at two to six millimetres. Rather than bright red, their bodies are a red-brown colour with the lower part of the ant, the abdomen, a darker shade.
Their nests are sometimes quite small and inconspicuous, although larger nests have also been documented. A portion of disturbed dirt or a mound could prove to be a nest.
Don’t be fooled by what seems to be a lack of entry or exit points. Poking a nest from a distance with a far-reaching stick is one way to identify them – but it is best not to agitate them.
Hopefully you can see the fire ants without taking this step. Remember, they are territorial, prone to swarming, and move quickly, so don’t place yourself at risk.
Reporting fire ants
If possible, take a photo or video of the nest and ants so their presence can be verified. You can report a fire ant incursion here.
They can be treated using the specific recommended methods outlined in the link above – a bug spray spritz isn’t enough and they’re great at surviving floods.
It’s important to report the incursion. Fire ants in home properties is an obvious concern, but this also applies to public locations.
With favourable winds, a fire ant queen can fly kilometres to set up a new colony. Monitoring and stopping the spread is paramount.
Global spread
Initially from South America, fire ant infestations have resulted in this pest appearing in many countries, including America, China, Japan, and Taiwan.
Australia has experienced and addressed numerous fire ant incursions over the years around the country, most commonly near ports and other entry points.
Fire ants can have a devastating impact on the economy, eventually costing the country billions annually if the spread is not halted, according to The Australia Institute.
Continued effort is required from the community. To tackle fire ants, Australians will need to work together, and stay vigilant.
Have you had to deal with fire ants? How did you handle them? Let us know in the comments section below.
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