14 October 2021
Nearly 20,000 households on the Gold Coast will soon have the chance to help stop fire ants moving south.
The National Fire Ant Eradication Program is heading back to the Gold Coast next month, giving residents in Arundel, Parkwood, Pacific Pines, Maudsland, Molendinar and Gaven access to free fire ant treatment.
National Program General Manager Graeme Dudgeon said the community fire ant treatment project would give locals the chance to work alongside the program to ensure the pest didn’t move into their neighbourhood this Summer.
“Fire ants may be small, but they have the potential to devastate our outdoor way of life,” Mr Dudgeon said.
“That means no more backyard cricket or soccer, barbecues on the lawn or picnics in the park.
“Our project will ensure the communities of Arundel, Parkwood, Pacific Pines, Maudsland, Molendinar and Gaven can reduce the likelihood of fire ants moving onto their properties.”
This follows the success of a community treatment project in Arundel, Parkwood, Pacific Pines and Maudsland earlier this year.”
Mr Dudgeon said people who live in the six suburbs would receive an easy-to-remove letterbox sticker in the post.
“If we see a fire ant sticker on your letterbox when we’re there treating your front yard, we will leave you a free fire ant treatment kit so you can treat your backyard,” he said.
“The kit includes approved fire ant bait that is completely safe to use and detailed instructions. You don’t need to see fire ants in your yard to take part because they might already be there without you knowing.”
There will be two rounds of treatment — November 2021 and February 2022.
Operators of public spaces in the area, such as parks, sports grounds and schools will also be given free fire ant bait to treat their green spaces.