Follow the steps to safely treat your property for fire ants. Find out how to prepare your yard, apply treatment and what to do afterwards.
These are general guidelines to help you safely treat your own property using a yard or nest treatment product.
If you are using a licensed pest controller, they will manage the safe application of any fire ant treatment and let you know what to do before and after their services.
Alternatively, if you are looking for advice on what to look for when buying your own products, see buy from a retailer.
Step 1: Follow the safety guidelines
Treatment products are safe when used as directed.
Remember to always:
- follow the product label instructions carefully
- avoid sprinkling treatment directly onto the fire ant nest (if possible)
- wash your hands after use.
Never use products for any reason other than what's listed on the product label.
Chemical safety
Your treatment product will contain a small amount of a chemical (the active ingredient) that is either:
- a fast-acting insecticide
- an insect growth regulator
- a mixture of both.
These chemicals are regulated by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA).
Read more about how granular treatment works and treatment safety.
Recommended application rates
Refer to the specific application instructions on your treatment product.
The amount of treatment product you need depends on the active ingredient in your product, and:
- whether you are treating your whole yard proactively, or
- targeting specific nests on your property.
Step 2: Check the weather
We recommend that you choose a day with no rain forecast for 2 days before and after applying the treatment product.
Treatment should be applied on days when the temperature is predicted to reach 20°C or higher.
Step 3: Apply treatment
We suggest you:
- follow the product instructions
- for yard treatment, spread product evenly, focusing on open areas
- for nest treatment, spread product in a circle about 1m from the centre of the nest
- watch a video to help you with your application.
Nest treatment application (fast-acting insecticide)
If you're a resident in an area awaiting eradication treatment, managing fire ants on your property is now easier than ever.
After reporting fire ants, you'll receive a fast-acting treatment kit in the mail. It's easy and safe to use, allowing you to treat your property at a time that works for you.
Before you start, read the instructions carefully. Choose a clear day with no rain forecast for the next two days.
Sprinkle the treatment about a meter around the nest, but not directly on it. Fire ants will forage and carry the treatment granules back to the nest.
After treatment, avoid mowing, watering, or disturbing the area for 48 hours. Be sure to scan the QR code in the instruction brochure to record your treatment.
Keep monitoring for fire ants, and if they return, report them at fireants.org.au or call 132 ANT (13 22 68).
Yard treatment application (insect growth regulator)
Once you receive your free fire ant treatment kit, applying the product is easy.
Before you start treating, make sure you read the How to Use Your Fire Ant Product brochure and the label on the product bottle.
Choose a clear day to apply your treatment when there's no rain expected and none forecast for the next 2 days.
Remove the seal from your fire ant treatment product and shake a light sprinkle over the areas you are treating. If you're growing veggies, sprinkle the fire ant product between the rows or around the plants.
Do not mow, water, or disturb the treated area for 48 hours after treatment. The product stops the queen from producing viable and reproductive offspring.
You should apply the product even if the fire ants aren't visible, as they could be underground or on a nearby property.
And lastly, don't forget to record your treatment by scanning our QR code in the How to Use Your Fire Ant Product brochure.
If you do find a fire ant nest, make sure you report it by calling us on 132 ANT (13 22 68) or visiting fireants.org.au.
Step 4: After treatment
It's important to allow enough time for foraging ants to collect the treatment and take it back to their nests.
Avoid letting poultry roam for at least 24 hours.
For 48 hours after treatment, avoid mowing, watering or disturbing the treated area.
Record your treatment online. Recording your treatment helps us to plan our eradication work and is required if you use one of our free kits.