Rahul Somvanshi
Fire ants, one of the world’s most dangerous invasive species, have been observed forming “rafts” to survive floodwaters in Queensland following ex-Cyclone Alfred. This unusual survival strategy has prompted immediate action from the NSW government to prevent these pests from crossing the border.
Floating Colonies Spark Concern
Footage captured by Allenview resident Kirsty McKenna shows large groups of fire ants floating on floodwaters. “There’s piles of them everywhere, floating through the waterway, heading to the Logan River,” McKenna said in her viral social media video. “You can see the ants moving the eggs around in the pile, trying to get them in the middle to protect them.”
For Ipswich resident Greg Locke, the flood brought a painful new threat. “Stings like bloody hell, it does. They really get into you,” said Locke, who suffered at least 30 fire ant stings while cleaning his yard after the floods. “It’s not just [a case of] stack your wood up and clean up all your mess because as soon as you clean up the mess, here comes hundreds of bloody fire ants.”
NSW Takes Preventive Action
The NSW government has banned fire ant-carrying materials, including hay, from entering the state from storm-impacted and infested areas of southeast Queensland.
“The impacts of Tropical Cyclone Alfred are being felt in our agricultural sector in the north of the state,” said NSW Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty. “They need our support to get them back on their feet and don’t want a fire ant incursion adding stress and strain to their recovery.”
NSW Chief Invasive Species Officer Scott Charlton clarified that while ants floating directly into NSW is “not possible” based on hydrological analysis, human activities pose the real risk for infestation. “Fire ants won’t march into NSW they will either be carried with materials such as soil, mulch, hay and turf, or fly in by natural spread from QLD,” explained Moriarty.
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Economic Threat
Fire ants are expected to cost Australia’s economy more than $2 billion annually if not controlled. Reece Pianta from the Invasive Species Council warns that unchecked spread will “result in economic damage greater than that caused by cane toads, rabbits, feral cats and foxes combined.”
The invasive pests, which arrived in Australia via infected materials at the Brisbane port in 2001, have already spread to more than 700,000 hectares in the Brisbane region. Recent detections have been reported in Oakey, the Sunshine Coast, and even northern NSW.
Increasing Spread
The fire ant rafting behavior, while a natural survival tactic, has experts particularly worried about the floods’ impact.
“The risk of fire ants spreading in flood waters after a disaster is very high and we’re very concerned about it,” said Pianta. “This year, the rafts appear to be much larger, they’re pointing to higher densities of fire ants and bigger colonies.”
A detection in Wardell, about 70km south of the Queensland-NSW border, was linked to landscaping supplies brought into NSW for reconstruction after 2022 floods, showing how easily these pests can travel with human assistance.
National Response
The National Fire Ant Eradication Program, which aims to eradicate the pest by 2032, has reported a significant increase in fire ant sightings following the cyclone. The NSW government has committed $95 million specifically for combatting fire ants, as part of a larger $945 million biosecurity package.
“We’ve all seen the images of wind and rain in Queensland, and this is making the fire ants mobile over the coming weeks,” Minister Moriarty said. “We have increased surveillance focusing on high-risk areas and are employing advanced tracking and modelling techniques.”
For residents like Greg Locke, the message to authorities is simple: “Start killing them fast. Get rid of them. Otherwise, this whole south-east corner, we’re going to be screwed. Simple as that.”
FAQs
What exactly are fire ants and why are they dangerous?
Fire ants (officially called Red Imported Fire Ants or RIFAs) are invasive pests from South America that arrived in Australia around 2001. They’re dangerous because they can kill people through allergic reactions to their stings, harm livestock and wildlife, and destroy crops and machinery. Their economic impact in Australia is estimated to exceed $2 billion annually if not controlled.
How are fire ants surviving the floods?
Fire ants form “rafts” by linking their bodies together, creating floating colonies that can survive on floodwaters. During flooding, they protect their eggs by moving them to the middle of these rafts. This survival strategy allows colonies to travel with floodwaters and establish new nests when waters recede, potentially spreading to previously uninfested areas.
Can fire ants reach NSW through floodwaters?
According to NSW Chief Invasive Species Officer Scott Charlton, hydrological analysis shows that ants floating directly into NSW is “not possible.” However, fire ants can enter NSW through human activities, particularly through the transport of materials like soil, mulch, hay, and turf from infested areas in Queensland.
What is the NSW government doing to prevent fire ant spread?
The NSW government has temporarily banned materials like hay from infested areas in Queensland from entering the state. They’ve increased surveillance in high-risk areas, using specially trained detection dogs and human teams. NSW has committed $95 million specifically for combatting fire ants as part of a $945 million biosecurity package.
What should I do if I spot fire ants?
If you spot fire ants or their nests, report them immediately to local authorities through the National Fire Ant Eradication Program. Do not disturb the nests or put yourself, clothing, or belongings in direct contact with the ants. Fire ant stings are painful and can cause serious allergic reactions in some people.
When did fire ants first arrive in Australia and how far have they spread?
Fire ants are believed to have arrived in Australia via infected materials on ships at the port of Brisbane in 2001, though they may have been present since 1992. They have now spread to more than 700,000 hectares in the Brisbane region, with outlier detections in Oakey, the Sunshine Coast, and even northern NSW. The National Fire Ant Eradication Program aims to eradicate them by 2032.
