Fire ant treatments are safe when used as directed. They are specifically designed to kill ants.
The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) regulates agricultural and veterinary chemicals. They approve the use of these treatments according to the labels and permits.
We conduct regular trials with all products we intend to use for treatment. When we identify a product that fits into a low-risk profile, we trial it in the field to see how it compares with the products we currently use. The main details we are looking for during these trials include:
- how effective the products are at destroying fire ant colonies
- what treatment regimen provides optimal results
- the effects on other animals, including native insects.
We also assess the environmental risk of the active ingredient. We aim to use products that have the lowest effect on the environment, while offering the highest treatment success.
People
Fire ant treatment is non-toxic to humans.
The ingredients will not be absorbed through the skin by walking on grass treated with bait.
If granules have been spread across an area, it is very unlikely that a person would be able to find individual granules in the grass. Even then, they’d would need to eat their body weight in fire ant treatment to become sick.
Pets, horses, cattle, and wildlife
Fire ant treatments are non-toxic to animals, including cats and dogs. When spread across a property, the granules settle deep in the grass, making it hard for animals to find enough bait to harm them. An animal would need to eat its body weight in bait for it to have any effect.
The World Health Organization states (2001) that insect growth regulators (s-methoprene and pyriproxyfen) are rapidly metabolised or broken down in animals. They show no ill effects when used in pregnant or lactating animals.
For fast-acting insecticide (FAI), the active ingredient is the same as in veterinary products, like parasite treatment or flea collars, but in lower concentrations than those products.
Fire ants pose a greater risk to animals than the treatment does. They can become aggressive towards animals, and their nests can obstruct animals’ access to food and water sources.
Poultry and birds
Fire ant treatment is non-toxic to poultry or other birds. This is because of the low amount of active ingredient used.
Both IGR and FAI treatments are made of corn grit. Poultry and birds may be attracted to it, but they are very unlikely to eat enough granules to be harmed. We recommend that you keep poultry locked away during the treatment and 24 hours afterwards to allow fire ants to collect more bait.
Bees
Bees are skilled at foraging and feeding on nectar and pollen from specific sources. They are unlikely to choose to feed on the treatment granules or mistake it for pollen. The bait uses soybean oil (a protein) to attract ants. It doesn’t contain sugar or similar substances that would appeal to bees.
The size and shape of a treatment granule make it impossible for a bee to eat them. A bee’s mouthparts resemble a straw, so the bee can’t extract the active ingredient from the granule.
Indoxacarb can be dangerous to foraging bees if applied as a liquid, such as spraying for pests on leafy crops and orchards. However, we apply it in granular form and not as a liquid. This makes sure that bees are not directly exposed.
Pyriproxyfen has low toxicity to bees, so treatment is not a serious concern for beekeepers.
Bees are unlikely to encounter the bait’s active ingredients through drinking water because pyriproxyfen has very low solubility and does not dissolve in water. This results in very low concentrations over treated areas, minimising any potential impact on water sources.
Fire ants are a greater risk to bees and beehives than the treatment. Fire ants raid honey beehives, stealing stored honey, pollen, larvae, and pupae. This has a devastating impact on the bee colony. They also compete with bees for nectar.
In the United States of America, beekeepers are familiar with managing fire ants near their hives. They spend approximately A$16 per colony on control measures against fire ants (Wylie & Janssen, May 2016). The insecticides used there against fire ants are much more toxic than those used in Australia.
Read more about a study on bumblebee colonies and feeding them with pyriproxyfen (De Wael et al. 1995)
Fish and aquatic life
We use treatments containing S-methoprene near waterways. Pyriproxyfen treatment can be harmful to aquatic life, so we don’t apply it within 8 metres of natural waterways.
S-methoprene is significantly less toxic to aquatic invertebrates than pyriproxyfen. This product is registered for use in water, up to 1.5 metres from each bank.
If your fish tanks or backyard ponds are above ground level, there is minimal risk of bait contamination during application. Our staff are trained to apply treatments correctly. If you’re concerned, you can cover ponds with a tarp during application.
If you’re getting treatment, complete the property information form to tell us about any ponds, dams, or other water sources on your property.
Native and introduced ants
Fire ant treatments can affect other ant species, but these effects are not widespread or long-term.
Between 2001 and 2006, we studied how local ant species responded to fire ant treatments. Our research found that most local ant species either increased in number or didn’t change (McNaught et al. 2014).
Our recent monitoring also shows that regular IGR treatment has no obvious negative effect on the local ant population. If native ants took the granules and were affected to the point of killing their queen and the nest, new colonies would likely come in from outside the treated area to re-colonise.
Fire ants are a threat to local ants. They out-compete other ant species in areas they have invaded. When they are present in large numbers, they affect local ants’ population and diversity.