Red imported fire ants. Image: © stevenw12339 / Flickr
18 October 2022
The Ipswich community is being urged to help stop fire ants from spreading any further in South East Queensland by registering online to receive free fire ant bait to treat their yards.
Member for Bundamba Lance McCallum said residents did not need to spot fire ants to have an important impact on the effort to eradicate them.
“Even if residents don’t suspect they have fire ants on their property they should proactively treat their yards to reduce the chances of fire ants moving in,” Mr McCallum said.
Member for Ipswich West Jim Madden said everyone had a role to play in protecting Australia from fire ants.
“That is why a community self-treatment initiative is underway in Ipswich from 17 October through to February 2023, during which we’re asking residents to register to receive free fire ant bait in the mail to treat their yard,” Mr Madden said.
Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities Mark Furner said: “The bait is safe for people and pets, and both homeowners and renters can register for free bait.”
Guard your yard against fire ants today, register for your free bait at fireants.org.au/selftreat or call 13 25 23
For more information about fire ants or to report fire ant nests go to fireants.org.au
Fire ants are a ‘super pest’ whose impact could surpass the combined effects of many of the pests we currently regard as Australia’s worst invasives (rabbits, cane toads, foxes, camels, wild dogs, and feral cats).
Fire ants are copper brown with a darker abdomen and measure just 2–6mm in size.
They inflict a painful, fiery sting, which in rare cases can cause a severe allergic reaction in humans and animals.