Residents and businesses in the Cabarlah area of the Toowoomba region should stay alert for fire ants following a recent detection.
On 15 October, Downer Defence informed the National Fire Ant Eradication Program (the program) that it had discovered suspect fire ant nests during proactive surveillance at Borneo Barracks in Cabarlah.
Program officers attended the secure site within 24 hours of the nests being reported and destroyed the nests by direct nest injection. Program scientists subsequently confirmed the ants were fire ants.
Fire ant detections outside the program's containment boundary are serious and the program has procedures in place to manage them effectively and efficiently.
Eradication activities – including intensive treatment and surveillance – will initially begin up to 500 m from the detection site to protect the area and ensure no undetected fire ants remain.
The program is conducting genetic testing to determine the source of the ants.
Eradicating fire ants requires a whole-of-community approach. The program encourages everyone in Cabarlah and the surrounding areas to:
- check their property and local area for fire ants and nests
- report their findings online or call 132 ANT (13 22 68) – even if fire ants are not present
- allow eradication officers access to properties to conduct eradication activities
- take steps to prevent the spread of this invasive pest.
Visit fireants.org.au or call 132 ANT (13 22 68) for more information.
Quotes to be attributed to Marni Manning, General Manager, Operations, National Fire Ant Eradication Program
‘This detection is a timely reminder that fire ants remain one of Australia’s most serious invasive pests and that early detection is critical to successful eradication,’ she said.
‘We thank the Department of Defence and their contractor Downer Defence for its vigilance and swift reporting. Their proactive surveillance enabled our teams to respond immediately, destroy the nests, and begin eradication activities before the infestation could become established.
‘We need residents and businesses in Cabarlah and the surrounding areas to check their properties and report any suspect fire ants or nests without delay.
‘Every report matters. Community vigilance and cooperation are essential to protecting Cabarlah, and Queensland, from the impacts of fire ants.’
Quotes to be attributed to Felix Bowman-Derrick, Assistant Secretary Environment and Engineering, Department of Defence
‘Protecting our Borneo Barracks from biosecurity threats is a key responsibility, and proactive surveillance plays an important role in helping us identify and manage potential risks,’ he said.
‘When our team identified suspect fire ant nests, we acted immediately and notified the National Fire Ant Eradication Program so a rapid response could be initiated.
‘We remain committed to supporting the program’s national eradication efforts.
‘Early detection, rapid reporting, and strong collaboration are critical to preventing the spread of fire ants and protecting Queensland, and ultimately Australia, from their impacts.’
Quotes to be attributed to Dr Allison Jones, acting Australian Chief Environmental Biosecurity Officer, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
‘Red imported fire ants pose a serious biosecurity threat to Australia’s environment, agriculture, communities and way of life, which is why early detection is so important,’ she said.
‘This detection demonstrates Australia’s biosecurity system working as intended. Proactive surveillance identified the ants and triggered initial treatment of the nests and a fast response.
‘While any detection outside the containment area is taken seriously, Australia has strong surveillance, response and eradication arrangements in place to manage these incidents quickly and reduce the risk of further spread.
‘Protecting Australia from invasive pests relies on a shared effort between governments, industry, landholders and the community, and every report helps strengthen that defence.’