Authorities urge property owners to combat invasive fire ants

Authorities are calling on property owners impacted by an invasive species spreading across Australia to take action amid concerns that a program to halt its spread is at risk due to non-compliance with treatment protocols.

Residents living in fire ant hotspots in southeast Queensland can receive eradication treatment on their properties up to six times over two years. However, professionals conducting these treatments have recently reported experiencing threats and intimidation.

The Invasive Species Council (ISC) believes misinformation regarding the treatment is fuelling fear about its impact on public health and the well-being of pets. According to the ISC, the treatment—utilising a bait that makes the queens infertile—is approved by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) and is considered to have minimal effects on wildlife and the environment. The spread of false information about this treatment has been denounced as "dangerous."

"Fire ant treatments are scientifically proven to be non-toxic to humans and pets when used as directed," stated ISC Advocacy Manager Reece Pianta.

"While we understand that some concerns are well-intentioned, we assure the public that these treatments are safe and effective. Fire ants can cause severe injuries or fatalities to pets, and similar insecticides are employed internationally to protect domestic animals from fire ant threats."

Pianta condemned the reported threatening behaviours as "disgraceful." He added, "[It] must stop."

Fire ants are classified as "one of the world's worst invasive species" and pose direct risks to human health. Their stings can lead to skin irritation and severe allergic reactions, potentially resulting in hospitalisation or death.

When a red ant nest is disturbed, the colony works collectively to fend off perceived threats, with hundreds of ants able to inject venom. The resulting stings are painful, causing a burning sensation, swelling, and redness, followed by blisters and pustules.

Fire ants are highly mobile, travelling distances of up to five kilometres, which allows them to establish new nests and spread quickly. Thus, prompt intervention is crucial to prevent the country from being inundated with these pests.

Fire ants have also posed significant issues in the United States, where incidences of homeowners resorting to extreme measures, such as pouring petrol on their lawns and using off-label chemicals, have emerged. The ISC cautions that adopting such practices would lead to an environmental disaster in Australia.

"If fire ants spread, we could see an additional 650,000 medical visits annually due to stings in parks, backyards, and public spaces," Pianta explained. "Successful eradication requires systematic destruction of every nest, not just a few."