Fire ants show extraordinary behaviour in Gold Coast floodwaters as new nest found near Ballina

A so-called ‘super pest’ has been found in a surprise new location as video shows its extraordinary behaviour in Gold Coast floodwaters. SEE THE VIDEO

Disturbing video has shown clumps of fire ants floating in floodwater on the Gold Coast.

The remarkable ‘rafting’ behaviour was witnessed this week by a farmer on a northern Gold Coast cane farm.

Experts said it could allow the deadly pests to spread more quickly as it was revealed on Saturday that a nest had been found 85km south of the Queensland border at Wardell.

“The recent heavy rainfall and wild weather in the region could accelerate the spread of fire ants, one of the world’s worst invasive species,” Invasive Species Council Advocacy Manager Reece Pianta said.

“Fire ants are more active before or after rainfall and can form large floating rafts which move with water currents to establish footholds in new areas.

“We have recently seen evidence of this rafting behaviour on cane farms south of Brisbane.”

Fire ants seen 'rafting' in northern Gold Coast floodwaters.

The Invasive Species Council on Saturday called for an urgent review of the “adequacy” of the Federal Government’s fire ant eradication funding after the discovery of the Wardell nest by a member of the public who suffered painful stings from the pests.

“This is a very alarming development. The government must spare no expense in responding to this outbreak and the whole community should treat this very, very seriously,” Mr Pianta said.

“... This new infestation 85 km south of the Queensland border should also trigger an urgent review of the adequacy of fire ant eradication funding by the Albanese Government.

“A comprehensive government study from 2021 found that between $200 and $300 million annually would be required over the next 10 years or Australia would face at least a $2 billion cost per year from fire ants forever. At the moment the planned funding is only half that amount.”

Nationals leader and Shadow Agriculture Minister David Littleproud said the latest infestation, just south of Ballina, was “another sign” that Labor had “lost control” of eradicating the pest.

“The Invasive Species Council warned red imported fire ants were at risk of spreading beyond current containment zones and that parks, school playgrounds and beaches have been closing over summer due to fire ants,” Mr Littleproud said.

“The Commonwealth should have been showing leadership on this issue but continued to drag the chain.”

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