The fire ant biosecurity zones have been updated to minimise the risk of fire ants spreading through human-assisted movement. If you live or work near a fire ant detection and move materials that can transport fire ants, these changes may affect you.
Full or partial suburbs have expanded or added to zones 1 and 2 to reflect recent fire ant detections in Moreton Bay, Brisbane, Lockyer Valley, and the Gold Coast.
If you have previously structured your business operations and your compliance with fire ant requirements based on suburbs, you should consider adjusting your approach. Alternatively, please refer to the Fire Ant Eradication's websites fire ant biosecurity zones interactive map.
Please note that if your property borders or spans a fire ant biosecurity zone, you must use fire ant-safe practices when moving organic materials.
Anyone located within the fire ant biosecurity zones and dealing with materials that can carry fire ants must follow their general biosecurity obligation by:
- checking the fire ant biosecurity zones before moving materials off-site
- using fire ant-safe practices when handling, storing, and moving materials.
Eradication is only possible if all levels of government, industry, and the community work together.
Here are some additional tips for preventing the spread of fire ants:
- Be aware of the signs of fire ants. Fire ants are small, reddish-brown ants with two bumps on their waists. They build mounds that can be up to 30 cm high and 60 cm wide.
- If you think you have found fire ants, report them to your local biosecurity department immediately.
- Don't move soil or plants from fire ant infested areas.
- Clean your shoes and gardening equipment before moving them to a new area.
By working together, we can stop the spread of fire ants and protect our environment.
Visit the Fire Ant Eradication website and subscribe to their newsletter for regular updates.
