NSW Urges Vigilance Against Fire Ant Threat
Authorities in New South Wales (NSW) are urging residents on the east coast to remain vigilant against red imported fire ants (RIFA), an invasive pest. The risk of new infestations remains as long as the ants are present in Queensland, with a possibility of undetected nests establishing in NSW.
RIFA are considered one of Australia’s most destructive invasive pests.
Their stings are painful and can cause severe allergic reactions in both humans and animals. While established in Queensland, there are no known colonies currently in NSW or other Australian states.
Prevention Efforts and Spreading Risks
Preventing the further spread of RIFA is supported by a $61 million effort via the Fire Ant Suppression Taskforce. The primary risk for spread is the human-assisted movement of fire ant carrier materials from infested areas in Southeast Queensland.
NSW Biosecurity, a division of the Department of Primary Industries, noted that approximately 14,000 movements of these materials enter NSW annually, highlighting the need for vigilance. An emergency order is in place, requiring compliance for anyone moving fire ant carrier materials from infested areas.
Materials Subject to Emergency Order
The emergency order encompasses a broad range of materials that can harbor fire ants, making their transport a high-risk activity. These include:
- Heavy vehicles, agricultural and horticultural machinery, and earthmoving equipment.
- Pallets, packaging, shipping containers, and protective covers.
- Green waste and building waste.
- Mulch, soil, compost, and manure.
- Hay, silage, and chaff.
- Potted plants (including indoor plants, excavated plants, and tree stumps).
- Sand, rocks, stones, recycled concrete aggregate, coal fines, and chitters.
Turf sourced from infested areas in Queensland remains suspended.
Far-Reaching Impact and Past Successes
Red imported fire ants pose a significant threat to wildlife, preying on native insects, birds, and small animals. They can also damage crops, livestock, and infrastructure such as irrigation systems and electrical equipment.
Fire ants are known for their rapid spread and ability to form large "super colonies" with multiple queens, leading to quick population growth. Once established, eradication becomes challenging and expensive.
Previous detections of fire ants in NSW, including instances in South Murwillumbah (2023), Wardell (2024), and Tweed Heads (2025), were eradicated through swift biosecurity responses. These incidents demonstrate the ease with which these pests can be transported across borders via materials like soil, mulch, turf, and machinery.