Anger over slow response to report of ‘swarming’ fire ants at Emerald Lakes

A retired pest controller who reported a ‘swarming’ suspected fire ants nest on the Gold Coast has been stunned by the response. Full story.

A retired pest controller says he is still waiting for someone to come out and treat a suspected fire ants nest almost a week after he first reported it.

Ron Whitmore discovered the highly active nest beside a path at Emerald Lakes Wetlands at the junction of Nielsens Rd and Birmingham Rd while walking his dog last Thursday. He immediately reported the find.

“When I looked at (the ants) they were starting to swarm. That’s what I told them. I saw all these alates flying. I took a closer look and then realised what it was,” he said.

“Alates are reproductive. They fly away from the nest and establish new colonies further afield.

“That’s why it needs to be jumped on straight away. If they go back in a week’s time and a hundred’s left the nest, now there’s a hundred potential new nests.”

Ron Whitmore beside the nest he has reported in Emerald Lakes. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

Fire ants are known to be highly aggressive and swarm when their nests are disturbed.

Their stings cause a painful burning sensation that lasts up to one hour. In rare cases, they can cause a severe allergic reaction which can be fatal.

They have spread rapidly south through the Gold Coast in recent months, and were last Friday discovered in South Murwillumbah, marking the first time they have been seen in New South Wales.

Mr Whitmore said he was shocked to be told that it could be up to 12 days before anyone visited the Emerald Lakes site.

“They said they’d probably have somebody out there within 12 days, which for me seems like a waste of time because they were swarming at the time that I had seen them. I told them this and I expected something to be done straight away, otherwise they’re just going to spread quite a distance.

“ … I just think it’s something that should be jumped on. They should have an emergency crew to go out and treat these things immediately after they get a report. To me that’s the only way they can get on top of it. They let it go for 12 days? That’s just not on.”

Ants seen on the nest. Picture Glenn Hampson

A spokesperson for the National Fire Ant Eradication Program said the time taken to respond depended on a number of factors.

“Our National Fire Ant Eradication Program takes all fire ant reports seriously and aims to respond within 12 business days. Each report is assessed and categorised using the information and images provided. Priority is given to reports in areas of greatest public risk,” the spokesperson said.

“After submitting a suspect ant report the reporter will receive an email explaining the next steps. This process will vary depending on your location, the number of nests found and the risk rating.

“Treatment may also be delayed due to poor weather conditions as rain can dissolve fire ant treatment and significantly reduce efficacy.”

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk was on Monday heavily criticised after saying she was “not aware” fire ants had jumped the border in northern NSW, with Shadow Minister for Agriculture Tony Perrett saying it was “proof” the government had “never taken the spread of fire ants seriously”.

The Opposition has also previously warned that the Gold Coast’s tourism industry faces “catastrophe” if the dangerous pests continue to spread.

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