Fire ants pose a serious biosecurity threat to Australia. If you find fire ants at your home, workplace, or on public land, report them within 24 hours.
Learn how to report fire ants and what happens next.
How to report fire ants
- Complete the suspect ant report or call 132 ANT (13 22 68) within 24 hours of sighting.
- Provide details, such as:
- description of the suspect ants
- location of the nests
- photos or videos for identification.
Tips for taking images and videos
Stay safe when you're taking photos of suspect ants.
- Wear a long-sleeved top, long pants, boots, and gloves.
- If no ants are visible, gently poke the nest with a long stick from a safe distance.
- Keep the camera still to avoid blurry images or videos. Let the ants walk past the lens.
- Use zoom for close-up shots.
What to expect after reporting
We treat all reports seriously and respond as quickly as possible. We assess and categorise each report based on the details and images or videos you provide.
We prioritise treating fire ants in areas of greatest risk, such as:
- schools
- childcare centres
- aged-care facilities
- situations where people or animals have been severely stung.
After you submit your report, we will email you with next steps.
Treatment options
If you live in our eradication area, our authorised officers will visit and treat your property for fire ants.
If you live in our suppression area and are awaiting eradication treatment, you have the following options:
- responsive self-treatment – we’ll mail you a fast-acting fire ant treatment kit to treat fire ants on your property
- proactive self-treatment – eligible residents can order a self-treatment kit to keep fire ants at bay
- a combination of both.
After treating your property, record your treatment. This helps us track fire ant movement, how well the treatment is working, and monitor our progress.