Fears have been raised that one of the world’s most aggressive invasive species could spread across Australia and kill up to six people each year.
Imported fire ants have spread from Queensland after the species was found in grass that had been shipped interstate to Clunes in northern New South Wales.
A contractor was installing sod trowels on private property when he came across the surprising discovery.
The NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) said the landscape contractor and turf supplier were given individual biosecurity instructions to prevent the movement of turf materials.
The site will be treated to ensure the area is free of ants.
DPIRD has temporarily suspended grass movements from fire ant infested areas in Queensland to anywhere in New South Wales.
“Fire ants infest around 830,000 hectares in south-east Queensland, close to the New South Wales border, posing an ongoing risk of further infestations in New South Wales,” their website reads.
‘Most of New South Wales has been free of fire ants. Nests found at South Murwillumbah (November 2023) and Wardell (January 2024) have been destroyed and monitoring and treatment is ongoing.
Fears have been raised that one of the world’s most aggressive invasive species could spread across Australia and kill up to six people each year (pictured, a map showing climate suitability models for fire ant infestation)
Fire ants are native to South America and have previously been detected in all Australian capital ports except Tasmania, but have been eliminated.
They were first detected in Australia in 2001.
A report of the Australia Institute It is estimated that if fire ants are allowed to spread, they could cause six deaths each year and cost Australia more than $22 billion by the 2040s.
Reece Pianta, advocacy manager for the Invasive Species Council, said news.com.au New South Wales should “be quite concerned” about the interception.
Pianta said it was fortunate that the last interception was still in the shipment and that the chances of it having spread are minimal.
“Grass is an ideal transport material for fire ants and we know that there are very high nest densities in the vicinity of grass farms in Queensland that need to be addressed as part of the fire ant eradication and suppression effort by the government,” he warned.
“It’s a recipe for a national fire ant disaster.”
Pianta said fire ants have an aggressive response to itching.
He said they swarm when their nests are disturbed and attack in unison, whether it’s a human, wild animal or even a pet.
They inject poison into their target multiple times.
“In some cases, it can cause secondary infections or anaphylaxis, leading to death,” Mr Pianta said.
He urged the new Queensland government to prioritize fire ant eradication.
“As the eradication program moves forward, we want to see a strengthened audit, compliance and support program for high-risk industries such as the turf industry, to limit the accidental spread of fire ants outside the infestation zone,” he said.