Depending on your location, you can treat your property for fire ants. Learn what to look for when buying your own treatment.
Who can self-treat
Treating your property is only recommended if you are in some areas of Queensland.
Check if you are in the recommended self-treatment area.
Check your address
Why buy your own treatment
Self-treatment products are available for purchase from your local pest control, gardening and home improvement store, or from an online retailer.
You might opt to buy your own treatment if you:
- have an active infestation and don't want to wait for our treatment to arrive in the mail
- are storing, receiving or sending materials that can carry fire ants
- want to keep additional fire ant treatment or choose a specific product.
Choosing the right product
When selecting a treatment product, look for one that is:
Approved for use in Australia
Only choose products that are registered with the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA).
Designed for treating fire ants
Although the active ingredients in fire ant treatment products are commonly used in other household products, make sure your formulation is specific to treat fire ants. Always check the label for use and follow safety instructions.
Within the use-by date
Most products have a limited shelf life. Always check the expiry date before you buy, as expired bait may not be effective.
Suitable for your specific situation
It's best to check whether you have an active infestation of fire ants on your property so that you can choose the right type of treatment.
Remember to also let us know if you have found fire ants or nests on your property.
Treatment types
Recommended fire ant treatment products are sold as granules of bait (not as a mist, gel, spray or aerosol).
The product will contain an active ingredient, which is either:
- a fast-acting insecticide (FAI)
- an insect growth regulator (IGR).
Some products are formulated to contain a combination of both types.
In most cases, a product containing FAI can work faster than one that only has an IGR. So, choosing a product that contains an FAI can work best if you have visible nests.
Approved product list
| Treatment product | Contains fast-acting insecticide (FAI) | Contains insect growth regulator (IGR) |
|---|---|---|
| PestXpert Nest Kill Granular Ant Bait | Yes - Hydramethylnon | Yes - Pyriproxyfen |
| Synergy Pro Ant Bait | Yes - Hydramethylnon | Yes - Pyriproxyfen |
| Distance Plus Ant Bait | No | Yes - Pyriproxyfen |
| Amdro Granular Ant Bait | Yes - Hydramethylnon | No |
| Advion Fire Ant Bait | Yes - Indoxacarb | No |
| Rifaway Fire Ant Bait | Yes - Indoxacarb | No |
| Amgrow Patrol Fire Ant Killer Granule | Yes - Fipronil | No |
| Topbait Knock-on Fire Ant Bait | Yes - Hydramethylnon | No |
Next steps
- Learn how to safely apply your own treatment products.
- Check our general advice about self-treatment to find other treatment options.
- Report fire ants and nests on your property.