Red Fire Ants

As part of a nation-wide surveillance and awareness program, residents need to be on the look out for a serious new pest that has been detected in Queensland—the Red Imported Fire Ant (RIFA).

These nasty pests are destructive to the environment and have the potential to destroy agricultural production. So far, fire ants are confined to a small area in south east Queensland where Department of Primary Industries is working to eradicate them. The national program is being overseen by the Commonwealth Department of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries.

1.4 million dollars was made available for allocation among the states and territories to fund approved surveillance proposals. Funding of $48,000 was allocated to the ACT over a three year period.

To date there has not been any suspect detection's of RIFA in the ACT or surrounding NSW. 'High risk' enterprises in the ACT such as garden centres, interstate removalists and their storage facilities, fruit and vegetable wholesalers were targeted to ensure they don't spread to other areas.

Fire ants look much like ordinary house or garden ants. They are small, reddish-brown in colour on the head and body, with a darker abdomen, and come in a variety of sizes within one nest, ranging from 2mm to 6 mm. This is a distinguishing feature of fire ants.

Their nests look like dome-shaped mounds up to 40cm high. Mounds will not always be evident, but are usually found in open areas such as lawns, pastures and along roadsides. Fire ants will cause a nasty sting, which can causes a small blister to form at the site of each sting after several hours.

If you think that you have seen one of these ants or ants nests, do not disturb or touch them. Contact Canberra Connect 13 22 81 during business hours.