There are 2 outlier detections in New South Wales:
- South Murwillumbah
- Wardell.
There is a Biosecurity Emergency Order in place in both areas.
Detections
South Murwillumbah
On 9 May 2024, landscapers found and reported one fire ant nest on a development site in South Murwillumbah. This is the same location where 5 nests were found in November 2023.
Our investigation showed that there is a chance that new queen ants left the colony to try to start their own.
As part of our response plan, we are:
- conducting surveillance in the development site and up to 2km of the surrounding area
- treating the surrounding area for fire ants, out to 5km from the nest.
All fire ant nests detected on the site have been found and destroyed by direct nest injection.
Wardell
On 11 July 2024, odour detection dogs found foraging fire ants in a temporary housing complex in Wardell, south of Ballina (NSW). This is the same location where 5 nests were located in January this year.
As part of our response plan, we are:
- conducting surveillance in the development site and up to 2km of the surrounding area
- treating the surrounding area for fire ants, out to 5km from the nest.
All known nests have been destroyed with a liquid insecticide.
What you need to do
Eradicating fire ants in NSW depends on everyone playing their part. We all need to look for and report any suspected fire ants.
Look for and report fire ants
To report fire ants in NSW, you can either:
- use the online form
- call 1800 680 244.
Follow movement restrictions for fire ant carrier material
A Biosecurity (fire ant) Emergency Order is currently in place in South Murwillumbah and Wardell.
The order restricts where you can move fire ant carrier materials.
Allow access to your property
Our staff are authorised under the Biosecurity Act 2015 (NSW) to treat all properties for the purpose of eradicating fire ants. We may require access to your property in order to complete surveillance and treatment activities.
Complete our property information form to:
- give consent for us to enter and treat your property for fire ants
- tell us about any issues with us accessing your property, such as dogs or locked gates.
Before we treat your property, we’ll either phone or knock on your door to see if you're home.
If we missed you, we'll leave a message card in your letterbox with instructions on what you need to do.
Our staff carry government-issued identification cards. They will not enter your house or buildings.