Fire ants
The program has a new website. Find out more.
Fire ants are aggressive, highly adaptive and well-equipped for survival.
Under the Biosecurity Act 2014, everyone—including individuals and organisations—has a general biosecurity obligation (GBO) to take all reasonable steps to prevent the spread of fire ants.
Queenslanders are legally required to report suspected sightings of fire ants within 24 hours of their discovery, and depending on the nests location take action to treat the pest. If you do not do this, penalties may apply.
The National Fire Ant Eradication Program aims to find, contain and destroy fire ants in South East Queensland. Our 10-year Eradication Plan involves an intensive and targeted eradication effort over four geographic areas in South East Queensland, spanning from Lockyer Valley in the west to Redlands in the east, north to Moreton Bay and south to the Gold Coast.
Fire ant biosecurity zones are also in place to help manage the movement of materials that are known to spread fire ants such as soil, hay, and animal manure.
The program is a nationally cost-shared eradication program delivered by Biosecurity Queensland on behalf of the Australian Government and all state and territory governments.
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National Red Imported Fire Ant Eradication Program
Learn more about the eradication program and the methods we use
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Steering Committee
Meet members of the national independent steering committee who oversee the Program in its delivery of the 10 year plan.
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Identifying fire ants
Learn how to identify fire ants and their nests.
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Report fire ants
Report fire ants by calling 13 25 23 or use our online form.
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Treatment of fire ant nests at home
Find out what is involved in treating fire ant nests on your residential property.
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Treatment of fire ants at workplaces and on worksites
Find out what is involved in treating fire ant nests at your workplace or property you manage.
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Check if you live in a fire ant zone
Use our interactive map to find out if your area is a fire ant biosecurity zone.
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Location of fire ants in Queensland
Fire ant locations and detections, how they spread and where fire ants came from.
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Working with materials that may carry fire ants within fire ant biosecurity zones
Understand the requirements surrounding the movement and storage of soil, turf, mulch, manure, potted plants, and other high risk materials in fire ant biosecurity zones.
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Treatment season 2021-22
Learn more about fire ant treatment and what to expect.
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Aerial fire ant treatment
Learn more about what is involved in fire ant treatment using helicopters.
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Living in fire ant biosecurity zones
Learn how you can play your part in reducing the risk of spreading fire ants.
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Fire ant general awareness training
Use this link to see the training schedule and book into training.
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Forms and notifications
Links to the Biosecurity Instrument Permit (BIP), the Property Information Form (PIF), and report suspect fire ants.
