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.
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.
Treating your property will help eradicate fire ants from Australia by 2032. In 2023, over 41,000 households treated their properties. The more we treat our properties, the less chance fire ants have to take hold.
If you find fire ants in your property, contact the National Fire Ant Eradication Program online or by calling 13 25 23. 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.
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.
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.
When checking suspicious ant nests gently poke the nest with a long stick and observe the ants that come out.
Be careful not to get too close, as fire ants are aggressive. They swarm when disturbed and have a painful sting.
Under the Biosecurity Act 2014, all Queenslanders have a general biosecurity obligation (GBO) to manage fire ants:
- under their control
- that they know about
- that they 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 13 25 23 or visiting National Fire Ant Eradication Program for more information.
As part of our General Biosecurity Obligation (GBO) we are undertaking the following:
- broadscale suppression treatment across 1,200 hectares of Council land
- we are reporting Fire Ant nests within 24 hours to Biosecurity Queensland
- we will have teams on the ground undertaking suppression treatment.
We are only undertaking treatment on Council land and Fire Ants should continue to be reported online to the National Fire Ant Eradication Program or by calling 13 25 23.
There are two types of fire ant treatments that are approved for use in Australia.
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.
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.
- Waiting for treatment by the National Fire Ant Eradication Program.
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 13 25 232.