Fire ants are an invasive pest that threaten our environment, economy, health and lifestyle. Learn more about their impacts.
Fire ants are an invasive species
This means they are not part of Australia's natural ecosystem. They are native to South America and were first identified in Queensland in 2001.
Fire ants are a highly invasive species, listed as a key threatening process under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
In 2020, the Australian Government included fire ants as a 'higher risk species' in the National Priority List of Exotic Environmental Pests, Weeds and Diseases.
Fire ants, like other invasive species, cause major problems in new environments.
This is because they:
- compete with native species for food and shelter
- prey on native animals
- spread quickly, which makes them difficult to control.
Fire ants thrive in Australia's climate, and their numbers can grow quickly without predators to stop them.
Impact on the environment, plants and wildlife
In their native South America, naturally occurring enemies that include some pathogens and other insects help keep fire ant populations under control.
Given that they don't have natural enemies in Australia, fire ants can cause widespread damage by:
- preying on native wildlife—eating insects, reptiles, birds and mammals
- eating seeds and disrupting ecosystems
- taking over food sources and nesting areas
- threatening ground-nesting birds by attacking their eggs and hatchlings.
Fire ants pose a significant risk to our native Australian animals, for example koalas, echidnas, platypuses and turtles.
Impact on farming, agriculture and urban infrastructure
Fire ants hurt our farming and primary industries by:
- damaging crops—eating seeds, seedlings and young plants
- building nests in fields—damaging plant roots, blocking irrigation systems and making it harder to use farming equipment
- protecting harmful pests like aphids—damaging crops, in exchange for honeydew
- attacking pollinators like honeybee hives—harming their colonies and reducing crop yields
- killing or competing with helpful insects like bees, hoverflies and ladybird beetles—affecting pollination and natural control of crop pests
- increasing overall costs to production and property maintenance.
Loss of livestock and production
Fire ants sting and swarm livestock, causing:
- blindness—stings to the eyes can lead to temporary or permanent blindness.
- injuries to limbs and udders—stings can cause swelling, pain and infections in sensitive areas.
- reproductive issues—stress and injuries from fire ant attacks can affect reproduction.
These impacts can lead to reduced milk production, weight loss, and death in severe cases.
Economic cost of fire ants to urban infrastructure
Fire ants can cause damage and impact urban environments by:
- damaging telecommunications equipment and infrastructure
- affecting airport runways and facilities
- increasing the costs to urban development and construction
- impacting roads and maintenance.
Impact on our health and safety
Fire ant stings are painful and venomous. They can also trigger severe allergic reactions.
Common symptoms of fire ant stings include a burning or fiery sensation, swelling of the area and redness.
Most stings can be managed at home. Find out what to do if you or your pet is stung.
High risk people and communities
Certain people are more likely to have serious reactions to fire ant stings, including:
- people with allergies to bites and stings (including those with papular urticaria, or persistent insect bite reaction)
- people with asthma or a history of anaphylaxis
- anyone with injuries or limited mobility.
Prevention is particularly important for daycares, schools and aged-care facilities because children and older adults generally have less mobility.
Expected health impacts
In 2024, experts from the National Allergy Centre of Excellence (NACE) and Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia (A&AA) prepared a submission to a Parliamentary Inquiry into the expected human health impacts if fire ants spread across Australia.
Their submission was informed by a review of the international literature from fire ant endemic areas.
Key findings
- Approximately 0.5% to 2% of fire ant stings cause a systemic allergic reaction, which can range from skin symptoms to life-threatening anaphylaxis.
- Up to 7.5% of people stung will seek medical assistance.
You can read their call for widespread eradication of fire ants in Australia, which also links directly to their submission.
Impact on our lifestyle and recreation
Fire ants change the way we live. If eradication fails, everyday activities will be affected, including:
- playing sports or attending outdoor events
- enjoying parks, beaches and playgrounds
- maintaining gardens and mowing lawns
- letting pets and animals roam freely.
What you can do
You can help stop the spread of fire ants by: