Published 15 June 2026
Winter is the best time to check for fire ants. As temperatures drop, fire ants build their nests higher to stay warm – making them easier to spot. Just one undetected nest can spread quickly and can cause big problems.
We’re on a mission to track every fire ant nest, and we need your help. Check your property and local area for fire ants, and report what you find.
Look for nests
Fire ant nests look like mounds or flat patches of loose soil with no clear entry or exit holes. You will most likely find them:
- in warm, open areas such as lawns, garden beds, and along the edges of footpaths and driveways
- under objects, such as timber, logs, rocks, pavers, and bricks
- near utility pits or infrastructure, including water meters, gas meters, and power poles.
Spot the ants
Fire ants are aggressive and will swarm when disturbed, making them easy to spot. Look for ants that:
- are copper-brown with a darker abdomen
- vary in sizes (2–6 mm) within one nest.
Report your findings
If you find suspect fire ants or nests on your property or nearby, report them online or by calling 132 ANT (13 22 68) within 24 hours.
Even if you don’t find fire ants, let us know that you’ve checked. Reports of where fire ants aren’t—as well as where they are—help us track their spread and strengthen eradication efforts.
Whether you’re gardening, walking the dog, or out with the kids – you’re our eyes on the ground. Let’s protect the places we love and work together to secure a fire-ant free future.