There are 3 outlier detections in New South Wales (NSW):
- Tweed Heads South
- South Murwillumbah
- Wardell.
There is a Biosecurity Emergency Order in place for these areas.
Detections
Tweed Heads South
On 1 July 2025, a school reported suspect fire ants to a licensed pest manager to investigate in Tweed Heads South. The nest was destroyed using direct nest injection on 2 July 2025.
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. All nests have been treated.
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 2024. All nests have been treated.
What we're doing
Phase 2 of our eradication response in each of the NSW locales is underway.
As part of our response plan, we are:
- treating the surrounding area for fire ants, extending up to 2km from each nest
- conducting up to 6 treatment rounds to ensure no fire ants remain
- undertaking targeted surveillance in collaboration with NSW DPI, up to 5km of the surrounding area.
Once we complete all required treatment rounds, we will begin targeted surveillance. In this phase, we will inspect high-risk locations multiple times to confirm we have successfully eradicated fire ants.
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 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.