3 October 2023
After a successful pilot offering free fire ant treatment to 63 suburbs in Ipswich earlier this year, the initiative is now open to all Ipswich residents.
The pilot saw 11,503 households order a free kit to treat their yard, but the Queensland Government and Ipswich City Council are keen to get this number even higher.
Ipswich is a fire ant hotspot and free treatment is being offered again to help rid the region of fire ants, initiative Director Mick Jeffery said.
“We need to work together to fight against fire ants in Ipswich, which is why we are asking residents to sign up to get free fire ant treatment,” he said.
“If you participated in the previous pilot, we need you to sign up again as it’s important we get updated address details and your consent to send you a fire ant treatment kit.
“Even if you don’t think you have fire ants on your property, you should treat your yard as fire ants can be present even if nests are not visible.”
Ipswich City Council Environment and Sustainability Committee Chairperson and Deputy Mayor Russell Milligan said he would like to see all residents ordering a kit to treat their yards.
“Fire ants are already impacting our way of life here in Ipswich, and we need an all-in community effort to get rid of them,” Deputy Mayor Milligan said.
“The treatment is safe for humans, pets and wildlife, and both homeowners and tenants can register to receive a free kit in the mail.”
Fire ants are copper brown with a darker abdomen and measure just 2–6mm in size.
They inflict a painful, fiery sting, which in rare cases can cause a severe allergic reaction in humans and animals.
Guard your yard against fire ants today by ordering a free fire ant treatment kit online at fireants.org.au/selftreat, or by calling 13 25 23.
For more information about fire ants or to report fire ant nests, go to fireants.org.au.