Invasive red imported fire ants detected in Murwillumbah for the first time

Experts and authorities have swooped on the first positive detection of identified red imported fire ants in the Tweed Shire. Here is the latest.

The invasive imported red fire ant has been detected in Northern NSW for the first time.

Imported red fire ants have spread into Northern NSW after positive identification of the detected pest was found in a vacant block in Northern NSW.

The National Fire Ant Eradication Program positively identified the invasive pest after reports to its hotline late last week, locating nests in the new industrial estate at Quarry Road, South Murwillumbah.

The NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) have confirmed the detection of three red imported fire ant nests – with surveillance ongoing – in South Murwillumbah in northeastern NSW, 13 kilometres south of the Queensland border.

This is the first fire ant detection in Northern NSW and presumed to be the most southern report of fire ants from the Queensland infestation.

NSW DPI Project Officer Invasive Invertebrates Pauline Lenancker and National Fire Ant Eradication Program Direct Nest Injection Technician Jarred Nielsen treat one of the fire ant nests. Picture: Supplied

Owned by Tweed Shire Council, the vacant block is being developed as an industrial land subdivision, with all earthworks and landscaping subcontracted as part of the approved development application.

The stinging ants were detected at Mermaid Waters on the Gold Coast – about 11 kilometres from the Queensland-NSW border in July.

It followed the discovery of nests at Mudgeeraba, Carrara, Worongary and Innisplain, within 18km of NSW.

NSW DPI are leading the control, tracing, and communications by implementing an emergency biosecurity order across a radius of five kilometres from the site in South Murwillumbah.

The first ever outbreak of imported red fire ants have been detected south of Murwillumbah in Northern NSW.

All businesses and residents within that radius are restricted in how they can move potential fire ant carrier materials without permission.

Mulch, woodchips, compost, sand, gravel, soil, hay and other baled products are now restricted.

Experienced teams are on site chemically eradicating the infestation across a radius of 200m from the found sites.

Members of the National Fire Ant Eradication Program carefully inspect a site in South Murwillumbah for any sign of red imported fire ants. Picture: supplied.

Mayor of Tweed Shire Chris Cherry said Council was following the direction of the National Fire Ant Eradication Program.

“We were very grateful to see such a swift response from the National Fire Ant Eradication Program inspectors and NSW DPI staff on the ground – within hours of the fire ants being reported and identified – who carefully swept the area to see if they could detect any additional fire ant activity,” Cr Cherry said.

Tweed shire Mayor Chris Cherry is working with government departments to eradicate the red imported fire ant threat now in Northern NSW.

“Council’s pest management officers were also onsite assisting the DPI as required, with eradication treatment undertaken.

“It is fortunate the block is owned by Council as it means eradication measures and follow-up controls can be carried out immediately. We will do everything we can to control the pests.”

Minister for Agriculture, Tara Moriarty said they are prepared for this discovery of fire ants in northern NSW, implanting their response plan as part of the $600 million national program.

“Finding fire ants early and alerting NSW DPI, just like the community member has done in this instance, will increase our chances of a successful eradication effort,” she said.

Residents and businesses in northern NSW should report any sign of fire ants to NSW DPI or call 1800 680 244.

Originally published as Invasive red imported fire ants detected in Murwillumbah for the first time