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Tweed Shire Council is working alongside the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) to alert locals to be on the lookout for red imported fire ants, following detections of the invasive ants at Mermaid Waters, just 11.5 km north of the Queensland border.
The NSW Government, which is leading the charge against the invasive pest, announced last week it would spend an additional $80 million to protect the State from the insect.
First detected at the Port of Brisbane in 2001, red imported fire ants have recently been detected at Mermaid Waters in Queensland, just 11.5 km orth of the border. This followed the discovery of other nests at Mudgeeraba, Carrara, Worongary and Innisplain, all within 18 km of NSW.
A comprehensive awareness campaign is underway by the NSW DPI, with DPI representatives holding meetings with Tweed Shire Council’s field-based staff and Councillors in recent weeks, and a mailout to all Tweed households expected to be issued soon.
NSW DPI Invasive Species Biosecurity director Scott Charlton said fire ants cause serious social, economic and environmental harm and it was important to keep NSW and the Tweed free from the aggressive pest.
“Local residents and businesses should check their properties and if you see any sign of fire ants, please call NSW DPI on 1800 680 244 – finding them early and alerting us will increase the chances of successful eradication,” Mr Charlton said.
Tweed Shire Council Pest Management Supervisor Brian Falkner said the pest management team is preparing to tackle this invasive pest.
“Working closely with NSW DPI and Queensland authorities, we are running fire ant surveillance programs and preparing to respond if fire ants are found here,” Mr Falkner said.
“Educational support and training workshops are being provided to all field-based staff, so they know what to look out for on the ground.
“Local developers, builders, road crews and the agricultural industry should also be on alert. We cannot allow fire ants to take hold in the Tweed. We need your help to look out for this invasive species to help keep our community safe.”
Residents and businesses are urged to check their properties for any evidence of fire ants.
Fire ants can look similar to other ants but their nests are distinctive with mounds of loose, crumbly or fluffy looking soil with a honeycomb appearance, up to 40 centimetres high, with no obvious entrance holes.
Fire ants are dark reddish-brown with a darker black-brown abdomen and are from two to six millimetres long.
They are very aggressive and will swarm out of the nest if gently poked with a stick. If people are stung, the multiple stings fire ants inflict form white pustules within 48 hours.
Look for them in sunny open areas, including lawns, parks, school grounds, sports fields, golf courses, gardens, foreshores, paddocks, disturbed soil and roadsides.
Fire ants may be found in areas where hay, turf, mulch, soil, potted plants, sand, gravel, or agricultural machinery have been used or stored, especially goods from southeast Queensland.
They can spread up to 5 km by flying and can be moved in nesting material, which includes mulch, woodchips, compost, sand, gravel, soil, hay, other baled products, and even pot plants.
Anyone bringing these goods into NSW from Queensland should check if they came from areas within 5 km of a known fire ant infestation. Such goods are subject to strict entry conditions and must be accompanied by a certificate.
If you buy or bring these materials from Mermaid Waters, Mudgeeraba, Carrara, Worongary, Innisplain or the red imported fire ant biosecurity zone in southeast Queensland, you should check your requirements online at red imported fire ants (nsw.gov.au).
Anyone who finds signs of fire ants on their properties is urged to call the NSW DPI on 1800 680 244.
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