Gold Coast fire ants: Poisonous pests overtake northern suburbs Coomera, Upper Coomera, Runaway Bay and Pacific Pines

Fire ant alert! Rashes and allergic reactions are common when bitten by the tiny creatures with residents begging authorities to bait the area to rid them of the painful problem plaguing the northern suburbs.

POISONOUS fire ants are overtaking the northern suburbs with residents in Coomera, Upper Coomera and Pacific Pines reporting the invasion of the pests.

Rashes and allergic reactions are common when bitten by the tiny creatures with residents begging authorities to bait the area to rid them of the painful problem.

“This is quite serious,” said resident Mr Dan Hodgson, 28, from Coomera.
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Fire ant stings can be extremely painful and harmful to young children.

“I first noticed fire ants about a month ago while mowing the lawn when I ran over a nest and the ground erupted with ants,” he said.

“My main concern is getting bitten, I have been stung once already pulling weeds out and it feels like a burn for the next week or so, it’s very painful,” he said.

“I reported it online to the fire ant eradication program run by department of agriculture and fisheries (QLD Government).

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“They contacted me about a week later and sent out people later that day to take samples and treat the nests with baits. Those ants are now gone, but more nests have since popped up and I am doing the same process again.”

The “super-aggressive’, highly adaptive pest is tiny but can pack a bunch according to another resident.

Fire ants were also found at Runaway Bay.

Britteny Ruffles, 21, from Coomera noticed multiple ant nests in her front garden bed and was shocked when her partner Andrew, 37, was stung.

“He was complaining for a couple of hours of burning and extreme itchiness,” she said.

“The next day his foot was covered painful puss filled blisters and this is when I knew it wasn’t just your average ant that we were dealing with.

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“I have two young children so my main concern is them getting bitten and experiencing some of the nasty side-effects from this type of ant.

“I have reported to the authorities and had a reply from them for days later, they advised me that they will be sending someone here next week I was surprised by their quick reply however I do hear this isn’t the case for everyone.

They can be hard to spot but fire ant nests looks similar this one pictured. (AAP Image/Richard Walker)

“We haven’t lived here for very long but when speaking to the authorities they told us there has been a report of more cases nearby.”

Another resident who lives on Lavinia Way felt the sting

“My husband was bitten by a nest of fire ants near our garbage bin,” said the resident who wished to remain anonymous.

“They are extremely aggressive and leave a nasty rash.

“He is fine but this could be dangerous for anyone that may have an allergic reaction, children and pets.

“When bitten their sting feels like burning.

“We have reported this.”

The Queensland Department of Environment said to look out for mounds of loose sifted soil with no obvious entry or exit hole.

Fire ants are coppery brown with a dark abdomen and are only 2-6mm long.

Top 5 places to check for fire ants

Residential property with wide lawn, garden beds and trees

Wet footpath near residential properties

Garden bed with wheelbarrow and dirt

Sprinkler next to garden bed

Water metre boxes can sometimes house fire ants

If you see any ants or mounds that you think may be fire ants, call 13 25 23.