Qld police called to protect fire ant eradication officers

Specialist officers charged with trying to eradicate fire ants are fearing for their safety after a growing surge of hostile landowners.

Police are being called to protect fire ant eradication officers from hostile homeowners.

Fire ant eradication officers have been forced to call in police to protect them from hostile homeowners amid “false” fears that the treatment for the deadly pests is toxic.

Officers working desperately to control the rapid spread of fire ants have faced a growing and well-organised backlash from sections of the community opposed to the treatment program.

Some residents have blocked access to officers trying to treat affected properties, fire ant safety signs have been vandalised and professional corflutes calling for an end to the “toxic fire ant program” with links to a website are being plastered across Queensland suburbs.

Social media has also lit up with posts from people claiming the fire ant treatments are dangerous for humans, animals and the environment, and urging resistance.

Invasive Species Council Reece Pianta pictured with fire ants up his sleeve.

A National Fire Ant Eradication Program spokeswoman said about 100,000 properties covering more than 240,000ha of land had been treated since August, with more than 99 per cent of owners and tenants co-operating with officers “to ensure fast and effective treatment”.

“Our eradication officers work diligently with property owners and tenants to secure property access. While we make every effort to inform them of our need to access their property, we are legally authorised under the Biosecurity Act 2014 (Qld) to enter and treat properties,” she said.

“In cases of repeated obstruction, we adopt an escalated model including engaging Queensland Police Service to assist us in ensuring safe and lawful property access.

“We maintain a zero-tolerance stance against any abuse or threats directed at our officers. Your communities are our officers’ workplace, and they deserve a safe workplace like all Queenslanders.

“We have also experienced targeted vandalism of public safety signs and messaging which is specifically designed to warn people about the presence of fire ants and keep our communities safe. Our officers are working to protect everyone from fire ants.”

The spokeswoman said fire ant treatments were assessed and endorsed by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority, “ensuring safety for people, animals and the environment”.

“Treatment consists of small pieces of corn grit soaked in soybean oil with a low concentration of an insect growth regulator (IGR), either pyriproxyfen or S-methoprene,” she said.

A close up of a fire ant. Photo: Invasive Species Council

Fire ants. Photo: Invasive Species Council

“These active ingredients – commonly used in veterinary and agricultural applications like flea and parasite control and livestock feed additives – are not classified as ‘poisons’ under the Therapeutic Goods (Poisons Standard) Instrument due to their low toxicity to humans.

“Our goal is to work with property owners and tenants to ensure effective eradication and protect Australia from the devastating impacts of fire ants on our health, environment, economy, and outdoor way of life.”

Latest fire ant mapping reveals more than 14,000 infestation sites across Brisbane and Logan alone.

An Australia Institute report released in September warned that allowing fire ants to spread could cause six deaths every year, trigger 116,000 medical visits and cost Queensland households $188m a year in pest management, medical and veterinary visits.

As fire ant numbers surge across Brisbane and the Gold Coast, new research shows Queensland households could be hit with an annual bill of $188 million, if they are not eradicated.

Previous Australia Institute research shows that fire ants will cost Australia more than $22 billion by the 2040s if allowed to spread

Originally published as Qld police called to protect fire ant eradication officers