Fire ants are sometimes found outside our containment boundary. The most recent detections are in:
- Currimundi, Sunshine Coast
- Nirimba (Bells Creek), Sunshine Coast
- Meringandan West, Toowoomba
- Caboolture
- Oakey, Toowoomba
Fire ant biosecurity zones are in place in Queensland, including around some of the most recent detections.
Detections
Currimundi, Sunshine Coast
A vigilant community member reported fire ant mounds at a recreation facility in Currimundi, Sunshine Coast on 12 July 2024. The mounds were destroyed using liquid insecticide on the same day, and testing confirmed the ants were fire ants on 15 July.
On 6 August, testing confirmed that all mounds in this area are related, which means they are part of a single nest.
Surveillance and treatment are underway in the area surrounding the detection.
Nirimba (Bells Creek), Sunshine Coast
A member of the community reported 2 nests in a new development site in Nirimba (Bells Creek), Sunshine Coast on 27 May 2024. Both nests were destroyed using liquid insecticide on 29 May, and the ants were confirmed as fire ants later that day. Surveillance and treatment are underway across the area around the detection.
Meringandan West, Toowoomba
One of our odour detection dogs found 2 fire ant nests on a private property in Meringandan, Toowoomba on 14 May 2024. The team was in the area conducting compliance tracing activities. Both nests have been destroyed using liquid insecticide and surveillance activities are underway.
Caboolture
A community member found and reported multiple nests on a property on 16 April 2024. The nests have been destroyed using liquid insecticide and surveillance activities are underway.
Oakey, Toowoomba
A community member found and reported multiple nests on a property on 16 April 2024. The nests have been destroyed using liquid insecticide and intensive surveillance activities are underway.
What you need to do
We'll notify residents and businesses near where the ants were found. We'll ask you to:
- look for suspect ants or nests and report them within 24 hours — check your property and nearby public spaces
- work with us so we can do our eradication work on your property
- use fire ant-safe practices with any materials that may carry fire ants.
Follow the movement rules
Fire ant biosecurity zones are in place in Queensland. This means that if you're moving materials that can carry fire ants within or outside of these zones, you must follow the rules. There can be penalties for not following these rules.
Allow access to your property
Our staff are authorised under the Biosecurity Act 2014 (Qld) to treat all properties for the purpose of eradicating fire ants. We may require access to your property to complete surveillance and treatment activities.
Complete our online form so we can tailor treatment to your property. We need to be aware of any issues with accessing your property, such as dogs or locked gates.
Before we treat your property, we’ll try to contact you. This will be by letter, phone or a knock on the door. You may also see advertising in your local area.
If we are unable to safely access your property, we'll leave a message card in your mailbox with instructions on what you need to do.