Published 03 September 2026
How do fire ants spread so quickly? Our latest research sheds light on some of the ways these invasive pests hitchhike and how understanding their movement can help strengthen our eradication efforts.
Published in the Journal of Economic Entomology, the paper was led by retired fire ant expert Dr Ross Wylie and co-authored by our very own Principal Scientist Dr Erin Wallace, Senior Scientist Dr Melinda McNaught, and Compliance Coordinator Jonathan Wills. The paper reflects our ongoing commitment to advancing the scientific knowledge that underpins Australia's fire ant eradication efforts.
Drawing on more than 20 years of operational experience, the study explores how fire ants can travel long distances by concealing themselves in materials and products moved by people. While fire ants can spread naturally through mating flights and colony budding, the research found that human-assisted movement presents one of the greatest challenges to eradication.
The study identified soil, hay, mulch, turf, and nursery stock, as the 5 most significant hitchhiking pathways. Researchers also documented how fire ants have been transported in a wide variety of materials and equipment, highlighting the importance of fire ant biosecurity zones, movement controls, and industry compliance in preventing new infestations.
Dr Erin Wallace said the research provides valuable insights into how fire ants establish infestations outside known eradication treatment areas.
'Understanding how fire ants move through human-assisted pathways helps us strengthen the measures we use to prevent their spread and protect new areas from infestation,' Erin says.
The findings demonstrate how targeted biosecurity measures can reduce the risk of fire ants being transported to new locations and support more effective surveillance and compliance activities.
As one of the largest invasive species eradication programs in the world, we continue to invest in research that advances our understanding of fire ant behaviour and informs evidence-based decision-making.
'Research plays a critical role in supporting eradication. Every new insight helps us improve how we detect, prevent, and respond to fire ant infestations,' Erin says.
By sharing our findings through peer-reviewed research, we continue to build the knowledge needed to protect communities, industries, agriculture, and the environment, bringing Australia another step closer to achieving its goal of fire ant eradication.
Source: Wylie R., Wills J., McNaught M.K. & Wallace E. (2026), ‘How hitchhiking by fire ants, Solenopsis invicta (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), challenges efforts for their eradication in Australia’, Journal of Economic Entomology.