There are several types of fire ant treatment and these are considered safe for humans and most animals.
Treatment types
Two types of fire ant treatments are approved for use in Australia.
Both treatments have a different purpose, application instructions and results, and are safe for humans, pets, and wildlife.
The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) approves the use of:
Treatment types instructional video
Effects of bait on people and animals
The bait used to treat fire ants is specifically targeted to kill ants. After the bait is distributed, it breaks down quickly (within days).
A very low ratio of the active ingredient is used compared to other ingredients in the bait. All baits are used according to the conditions on the relevant product labels and permits from the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) to ensure safety for humans, animals, and the environment.
The granules are tiny to ensure they are small enough for fire ants to carry and designed to sink low into the grass so they can be gathered more easily. Fire ants pose a far greater risk to adults, children, and animals because their aggressive nature means they will sting victims repeatedly.
Where bait has been placed near a nest, we strongly advise that children and animals are kept away from the area. This is to protect them against fire ants that will be attracted to the bait.
Read more about the effects fire ant bait may have on:
