Fire ants

Fire ants are a pest that can have a big impact on native environments and our way of life. They have a painful, fiery sting which, in rare cases, can cause severe allergic reactions.

Reporting fire ants

If you find fire ants in your property, contact the National Fire Ant Eradication Program online or by calling 132 ANT (13 22 68). The faster you report, the less chance there is of fire ants becoming a problem and spreading.

The Fire Ant Eradication Program map shows sites in Queensland that have had fire ants in the last 12 months.

Your role in fire ant management

Under the Biosecurity Act 2014, all Queenslanders have a general biosecurity obligation (GBO) to manage fire ants:

  • under your control
  • that you know about
  • that you are expected to know about.

You can do this by reporting fire ants to the National Fire Ant Eradication Program on the online form by calling 132 ANT (13 22 68) or visiting National Fire Ant Eradication Program for more information.

As part of the reporting process, you will receive a free fast-acting fire ant treatment kit.

Logan City Council’s role in fire ant management

As part of our General Biosecurity Obligation (GBO) and in support of the National Fire Ant Eradication Program (NFAEP) we are undertaking broadscale suppression treatment on Council owned and/or managed land.

We are only undertaking treatment on Council owned and/or managed land, Fire Ants must still be reported to the National Fire Ant Eradication Program by reporting online or by calling 132 ANT (13 22 68).

Order your free treatment kit


Treat fire ants in four easy steps video transcript

For a limited time, Biosecurity Queensland are offering free fire ant treatment kits to help stop the spread of fire ants. These treatment kits are available for a limited time for residents in Logan. Even if you haven't seen fire ants on your property, they could be hidden underground or nearby.

Order your free treatment kit by visiting the National Fire Ant Eradication Program. Your kit includes treatment products and detailed instructions. Use the treatment as soon as you get it. The amount of treatment product in your kit will be based on your property size.

What do they look like?

a small ant of about 2 to 6 mm copper brown in colour with a darker abdomen

Fire ants can be identified by a few distinguishing features. They are:

  • copper brown in colour with a darker abdomen
  • have a variety of sizes within the one nest ranging from 2 to 6 millimetres
  • are aggressive and swarm when disturbed.

For help with identifying fire ants, visit National Fire Ant Eradication Program to view a fire ant identification video and photo gallery. You can also see some ant species that are often mistaken for fire ants.

Nests

Fire ant nests can appear as dome-shaped mounds or be flat and look like a small patch of disturbed soil.

All nests have no obvious entry or exit holes.

Fire ant nests

When checking suspicious ant nests gently poke the nest with a long stick and observe the ants that come out.

A man poking the fire ant's nest

Be careful not to get too close, as fire ants are aggressive. They swarm when disturbed and have a painful sting. 

Treatment types and bait safety

Granular Treatment (Bait)

This method involves spreading bait that is collected by worker ants and taken back to the nest. There are two types of granular bait:

  • Fast-acting insecticide: Eliminates fire ants within 1 to 4 weeks.
  • Insect Growth Regulator (IGR): Disrupts the fire ant life cycle and takes 3 to 4 months to be fully effective.

Direct Nest Injection

This method involves injecting insecticide directly into the nest. It can only be carried out by a licensed pest technician and typically takes between 10 minutes and 48 hours to eliminate the colony.

Both treatments have a different purpose, application instructions and results Treatments are safe for humans, pets and wildlife.

For information about treatments, visit Treatment types and bait safety | National Fire Ant Eradication Program.

Treatment methods

There are several treatment methods and products available to effectively treat fire ants.

They include:

  • Self-treating fire ant nests using products you purchase.
  • Hiring a licensed pest manager to treat on your behalf.
  • Reporting suspect nests to the National Fire Ant Eradication Program and utilising bait sent to you.

If you choose to self-treat fire ants on your property, you should advise so when you submit your fire ant report, either online or by calling 132 ANT (13 22 68).

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