Fire ants

Fire ants are aggressive, highly adaptive and well-equipped for survival.

Under the Biosecurity Act 2014, everyone—including individuals and organisations—has a general biosecurity obligation (GBO) to take all reasonable steps to prevent the spread of fire ants.

Queenslanders are legally required to report suspected sightings of fire ants within 24 hours of their discovery, and depending on the nests location take action to treat the pest.  If you do not do this, penalties may apply.

The National Fire Ant Eradication Program aims to find, contain and destroy fire ants in South East Queensland. Our 10-year Eradication Plan involves an intensive and targeted eradication effort over South East Queensland, spanning from Lockyer Valley in the west to Redlands in the east, north to Moreton Bay and south to the Gold Coast.

Fire ant biosecurity zones are also in place to help manage the movement of materials that are known to spread fire ants such as soil, hay, mulch, manure, quarry products, turf and potted plants.

Our program is a nationally cost-shared eradication program delivered by Biosecurity Queensland on behalf of the Australian Government and all state and territory governments.