4 October 2024
Highly trained odour detection dogs from the National Fire Ant Eradication Program (the program) located fire ants at the Oakey Army Aviation Centre in Toowoomba.
The ants were confirmed as fire ants yesterday (3 October 2024).
The dogs detected the foraging fire ants while conducting surveillance on 2 October. This is the same Oakey site where the pest was first found in April 2024. It is not uncommon to find foraging fire ants in areas undergoing eradication treatment.
The ants have been treated with direct nest injection, and the program is continuing to work with the Department of Defence to ensure no fire ants remain.
The program extends its appreciation to the Department of Defence for its ongoing cooperation.
Up to 2 km of the surrounding area is currently subject to fire ant eradication activities. Eradication is a multi-stage process using an Insect Growth Regulator (IGR) that prevents the queen from producing viable offspring. The ants forage for the treatment granules and spread it throughout the colony, but this process takes time to have its full effect.
All properties in the targeted area must undergo multiple rounds of broadscale treatment over 2 years to ensure successful eradication.
For more information about fire ants, the program, or eradication treatment, please visit fireants.org.au.