Part of Runaway Bay soccer field closed off after fire ant nests discovered

Fire ant nests have been discovered at a popular sports facility in a Gold Coast suburb which has never seen the pests before. It’s the furthest south the dangerous ants have been found.

BIOSECURITY Queensland have closed off part of a field at Runaway Bay Soccer Club after fire ants were discovered.

The four fire ant nests were first noticed by Gold Coast City Council mowing staff who have been trained in detecting the pest.

The site at the Lae Drive facility, which is located next to St Francis Xavier Catholic School, has now been sealed off and signage has been put in place to warn the public to stay away.

Council’s Senior Pest Specialist Iain Jamieson said it was possible the ants had arrived through “natural flight”.

“There are nests within three kilometres of this site,” he said.

“Fire ants are known as being one of the most invasive pests in the world, and the city is on the front foot making sure they don’t push ant further than they are.

“The ants are now being treated so we have complete faith the nest is no longer viable.”

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Gold Coast City Council Senior Pest Specialist Iain Jamieson at the Runaway Bay site.

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The pests are already established north of the Coomera River, with City Council working with Biosecurity Queensland to manage the population.

Fire ants were detected for the first time at Hope Island and Helensvale last year, but this is the first time their presence has been confirmed in Runaway Bay, and marks the furthest south the dangerous pests have been found.

Though it’s believed there have been no cases of fire ant bites on the Gold Coast, the consequences of a bite can be dire.

“The worst case scenario is anaphylactic shock from a fire ant sting,” Mr Jamieson said.

“Unfortunately you don’t know if you’re going to have that reaction until you’re bitten.

“We’re discovering these nests early enough and we’re not aware of anyone being stung.”

Residents are now being asked to be vigilant and learn the telltale signs of fire ant infestation.

They should report any suspicious ant activity to Biosecurity Queensland on 132 523.

FIRE ANTS

■ Originate from South America, are reddish-brown in colour with darker abdomen and are 2-6mm long

■ Entered the US in 1930s

■ Possible first entry to Australia 20 years ago

■ First detected in Brisbane in 2001, how they got here is unknown

THE THREAT

■ Declared a notifiable pest

■ Fines apply for failure to report sightings

■ Ants spread through mating flights and “budding” (a nest near another nest)

■ A mated queen ant can fly up to 2km to start a nest

HUMANS SPREAD ANTS BY

■ Receiving shipments of infested material (such as soil).

■ Leaving infestable items in infested locations (such as potted plants near nests).

■ Not cleaning machinery that has moved infested soil.

Source: Biosecurity Queensland