Oakey becomes fire ant biosecurity zone

Two more fire ants nests have been found near Toowoomba, days before Oakey is set to become a fire ant biosecurity zone. Here’s what it’s like to be bitten by one of these ants:

Fire ants have been found in Oakey. Photos: Invasive Species Council

While collecting data on fire ant nests with a property owner in the Gold Coast hinterland, a few of the invasive red ants crawled onto Ken Cunliffe’s hand and bit him – almost in unison.

“If felt like ten minutes of fire, which is not a long time, but it does burn quite horribly and then subsides,” Mr Cunliffe said.

“I was only left with four stings, so can only imagine what it is like if it was several thousand stings.”

The managing director of AgEtal, a Toowoomba business working to develop a test which could identify fire ant DNA in water or soil, was collecting soil on a property near Tamborine Mountain with a farmer who had been trying to get rid of the fire ants on his property.

“His method was to disturb the nest then pour the poison down,” he said.

“I had been trying to take a photograph of an intact nest, but didn’t take the necessary precautions.”

Managing Director of AgEtal, Ken Cunliffe is working to develop a test which can identify fire ant DNA in soil and water. Picture: Kevin Farmer

He said he was “glad” he only got bitten by a few ants, as they tend to swarm, crawling up the person unnoticed and unfelt, and then, in unison bite – hundreds to thousands – all at once.

It seems this week has been a busy week of fire ant activity, at least on the eradication side, as fire ant eradication treatment starts in the area surrounding where 80 fire ants nests were found almost a month ago at Oakey Army Aviation Base.

On Thursday, the National Fire Ant Eradication Program (NFAEP) announced the area around the base would become a fire ant biosecurity zone. This means that any business or resident who deals with organic materials such as soil, hay, mulch, quarry products, turf or potted plants are legally required to follow any associated movement control orders, and use fire ant-safe practices before transporting materials.

Fire ant map in Queensland. May 17, 2024.

“Introducing a fire ant biosecurity zone in Oakey will help mitigate the risk of human-assisted movement and protect the local environment, economy, human and animal health, and outdoor way of life,” the program’s executive director Ashley Bacon said.

“We are working closely with primary producers, industry, and key stakeholders in Oakey and surrounds to ensure they are aware of the new requirements and what they mean for them.”

On Tuesday at Meringandan West, two fire ant nests were detected by a specialist dog team, with the NFAEP urging residents and business to look for and report suspected nests.

A statement from the NFAEP said they were not linked to the Oakey fire ants.

Field teams remained on site during the week conducting eradication activities to ensure all nests are located and if necessary, treated, the statement said.

For more information, please check out fireants.org.au.

Locals in the area are encouraged to visit one the upcoming community displays.

• Sunday 19 May: Street Feast Oakey – 4 - 9pm

• Monday 20 May: Oakey Cultural Centre – 9am to 3pm

ABOUT FIRE ANTS:

Fire ants have been found in Oakey. Photos: Invasive Species Council

Fire ants are dark reddish-brown with a darker black-brown abdomen and range in size from 2-6mm long. Their ant nests are distinctive mounds of loose, crumbly or fluffy-looking soil with a honeycomb appearance, up to 40cm high, with no obvious entrance holes.

Fire ants can damage electrical and agricultural equipment, sting people, pets and livestock, kill native plants and animals, and damage ecosystems beyond repair.

Those who breach the emergency biosecurity order could face significant penalties with fines for breaches reaching up to $1.1m for an individual and up to $2.2m for a corporation.

Fire ants can form rafts during flood events, stowaway in freight or soil, or spread by queen ant flights of around 5km per year (and up to 30km in favourable conditions).

Fire ants have been found in Oakey. Photos: Invasive Species Council

Fire ants came into Australia in the late 90s in freight from the United States, they were found in 2001. Fire ants are originally from South America.

Fire ants have spread across most of the southern United States, and are spreading in China at a rate of about 80km per year.

Australia has managed to contain fire ants in south east Queensland since 2001 however under-resourcing has prevented successful eradication.
Keep your eyes peeled for suspicious ants or ant mounds when you’re out in the garden, at the park, taking a walk, camping or at the beach.

Don’t worry if you’re not sure what type of ant it is, every report is vital information for the eradication program.

Be mindful of your safety if you think you have found fire ants.

Keep your distance and do not put yourself, clothing or belongings in direct contact with fire ants or their nests.

Take a photo or short video of the ants on your smartphone. Try to take a few close ups of the ants and their nest.

Report fire ants to: Queensland: 13 25 23 or www.fireants.org.au

If you think fire ants are on your property, find advice on what to do by visiting: https://www.fireants.org.au/treat/residential-landowner-or-tenan