Fire ants are an invasive species that can destroy crops and hurt people and livestock. Photo: Alexan Ruiz.
The Queensland Government is taking action to destroy fire ant colonies across south-eastern portions of the state with aerial attacks in an effort to eradicate the invasive species.
Following a record investment of $24 million, the government said significant progress was being made to destroy the colonies on large properties across 212,000 hectares within the South-East Queensland suppression zone.
The government has blamed the issue on its Labor predecessor, which it said had “watched on” as fire ants broke containment lines and spread across more than 800,000 hectares.
Fire ants are hazardous to humans and can have devastating effects on agriculture. They have been credited with reducing corn yields in Mississippi, in the US, by 65 per cent.
Within a year of taking power, Premier David Crisafulli established a specialist project team to crack down on the pests, including an aerial treatment plan in Logan, the Scenic Rim and the Gold Coast.
By mid-2026, two rounds of treatment will be dispersed by helicopter or drone over 106,000 hectares.
A year-round eradication program will also be delivered, in contrast to the previous, seasonal targeting.
“The aerial assault aims to drive down fire ant numbers inside containment lines to reduce the risk of ants from the suppression zone being moved to other parts of the state,” Minister for Primary Industries Tony Perrett said.
“We’ve supercharged our chances of rapidly reducing fire ant densities by up to 70 per cent and speeding eradication efforts.”
Efforts being undertaken aim to both hold the line of fire ant populations and reduce their general footprint. The government has called on its federal counterpart to join the state’s suppression efforts.
The measures are supported by the Invasive Species Council.
“The $24 million boost for fire ant aerial suppression treatments is essential to reduce fire ant nest density inside the biosecurity zone,” the council’s advocacy manager Reece Pianta said.
“Increased suppression work will protect people and animals, farms and backyards and help stop the spread of fire ants to other parts of Australia.”
The government also emphasised that fire ant treatment is safe for people, household pets and the environment when used as directed by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority.
