Who Runs The Fire Ants Eradication Program?

 

The National Fire Ants Eradication program is governed strategically and operationally by a National Management Group, with the work delivered by Biosecurity Queensland in partnership with the community.

The National Management Group includes representatives from states, territories and the Commonwealth. The program is part of the Fire Ant Response Plan 2023–27, which focuses on strengthening containment and compliance, and intensifying program-led and community treatment using a systematic, outside-in approach.

Freshcare has been working with the National Fire Ant Eradication Program to develop a risk assessment for application of fire ant bait,  to ensure growers will be provided with the information they need to fill out their records in a timely manner. Scroll to the bottom of this page to download this resource. 

The program works with farmers, including organic growers, throughout the season with the aim of minimising the impact on farming operations. Wherever possible, they take into account paddock specific information, cropping schedules, the type of crops being grown and fallow periods.

The Cost of Not Treating

Each year, fire ant damage could cost in excess of: 

  • $536 million to households for health and lifestyle impact
  • $381 million to agriculture
  • $250 million to infrastructure
  • $84 million to environment
  • 20-50% cut in farmers’ income due to destroyed crops
  • Potential 40% revenue loss for agribusiness
Fire Ant Response Plan 2023 - 27

Treatment and Methods of Application

The Importance of Gaining Access

The Fire Ants Response team look for and treat fire ants on all targeted properties and are legally authorised to do so.

Fire ants can be present even if they or their nests are not visible on the surface of the ground.

To eradicate fire ants from Australia, the response team must treat all properties in the eradication area. They need to do this multiple times over 2 years. This will be followed by several years of surveillance to make sure they don’t return.

The response team go to your property to look for fire ants and treat any they find. The teams will not enter your house or buildings. They only focus on outdoor areas where fire ants may be present.

Methods of Application

To treat your property, we use various methods:

  • Drones, helicopters and airplanes for properties larger than 5 hectares—this is the quickest and most cost-efficient method for larger areas
  • Utility terrain vehicles for suitable terrain
  • Handheld treatment spreaders, mainly for urban properties, around buildings and near water ways.

Fire ant eradication treatment happens throughout the year, depending on the weather

At the extremely low application rates the program uses, animals and people are not at risk of adverse effects from the eradication treatment.

Fire ants pose a greater risk to the health of native animals and pets, particularly those that spend time outdoors or like to dig. They can also cause anaphylactic reactions in people.

Broadcast Fire Ant Treatment Factsheet

Types of Fire Ant Treatment and Their Safety

The National Fire Ant Eradication Program reassures the community that fire ant treatment is safe.

The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) assesses and has registered the products used to treat fire ants, ensuring they are safe and effective for animals, people, and the environment, for over 20 years.

The active ingredients in fire ant treatment are commonly used in veterinary and agricultural applications, such as flea and parasite control, and livestock feed additives.

Treatment consists of small pieces of corn grit soaked in soybean oil with a low concentration of an insect growth regulator (IGR), either pyriproxyfen or S-methoprene.

IGR treatments are not a risk to mammals when used according to APVMA instructions and the active ingredients pose negligible risk of long-term persistence in the environment when used according to permitted usage patterns.

At the extremely low application rates the program uses, animals and people are not at risk of adverse effects from the eradication treatment.

Fire ants pose a greater risk to the health of native animals and pets, particularly those that spend time outdoors or like to dig. They can also cause anaphylactic reactions in people.

Identifying & Reporting Fire Ants

Please follow the links below to assist with identifying and reporting Fire Ants.

Appearance of Fire AntsReporting Fire Ants

Freshcare Fire Ant Risk Assessment Template

Freshcare has created a risk assessment template for Fire Ant treatment to assist FSQ 4.2 participants with audits. For any further questions regarding this template please contact [email protected]

F1 Risk Assessment – Other Practices - Fire Ant Treatment