Fire ants ‘intercepted’ at Cotswold Hills in Toowoomba after resident finds insect on machinery

A major infestation of fire ants has been potentially prevented after a Toowoomba resident discovered the invasive insect inside second-hand machinery.

A Toowoomba local’s quick thinking has potentially prevented an infestation of fire ants in the city, according to the national watchdog.

The National Fire Ant Eradication Program revealed a Cotswold Hills resident discovered the ants on May 29 in organic material inside a second-hand loader bucket that had been purchased from within a current biosecurity zone.

According to the program, a licensed pest manager treated the ants.

Program staff treated the property.

One live worker fire ant was collected for sampling, and no visible nests were found, with compliance officers now investigating how they came to be on the machinery.

Program operations general manager Marini Manning said the discovery was considered an “interception” rather than a detection, praising the quick thinking of the landowner.

“This interception is a great example of how early reporting can prevent the spread of fire ants,” she said.

“By reporting what the Toowoomba resident saw and co-operating with our eradication officers, they may have stopped a new infestation.

“Fire ants move easily on machinery and materials, which is why fire ant biosecurity zones and associated movement controls are in place.

“We urge everyone – especially buyers and transporters of machinery and materials that can carry fire ants – to check the zones and follow movement controls before moving anything.”

Machinery like loaders and excavators located inside a biosecurity zone are legally required to be hosed down thoroughly before they can leave it.

Biosecurity zones are currently in place for the township of Oakey as well as eastern parts of the Lockyer Valley.