Red fire ant infestation in Sydney, Australia

Credit: www.orkin.com

Fire ant bites cause a severe burning sensation in humans, & a small number of deaths have occurred. They also pose a risk to crops, animals, farm equipment & native flora & fauna.


Yes, you do want fire ants eradicated.
Credit: Queensland Department of Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry

Natives of South America, fire ants first appeared in Australia in Brisbane, Queensland in 2001. At least in part, due to an inadequate response by successive governments, that infestation continues to this day. In their defence, where a fire ant infestation has been established, fire ants have not been eradicated from any country in the world. To date, in Australia, federal, state & local governments have spent $281 million trying to eradicate them. In 2009, a government report estimated the cost of the infestation to Queensland, at $43 billion over 30 years.



Genetic testing indicates that the Sydney infestation is not related to that in Queensland.

http://www.smh.com.au/environment/red-fire-ant-outbreak-in-sydney-could-cost-economy-billions-20141208-1212nb.html

Identification:

Fire ants are small, ranging in size from 2-6 mm, with a variety of sizes within each nest. Head & body are coppery-brown & the abdomen darker.

Fire ant mounds may be found in open fields, & can be up to 40cm high, but may also be flat, like a patch of disturbed soil. Nests may also found under timber, logs, rocks, pavers, bricks or other objects on the ground. Infestations of buildings can occur.

Queensland Department of Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry fire ant website:
https://www.daff.qld.gov.au/plants/weeds-pest-animals-ants/invasive-ants/fire-ants / feral pest highly serious incursion red fire ants Port Botany Sydney New South Wales Austrlaia cost economy billions eradicated eradication efforts Department of Primary Industries colony arrived cargo ship Brazil Argentina genetic tests emergency response team of biosecurity pest experts odour detection dogs ants highly aggressive serious exotic pest inflict painful bites people pets livestock NSW Minister Primary Industries Katrina Hodgkinson Invasive Species Council chief executive Andrew Cox outbreak threat community contain containment contained disaster environment transform our way of life spread other parts of the country open areas grassy areas DPI director invasive plants and animals Dr Andrew Sanger outbreak contained one colony at intensive surveillance conducted within 2km initial discovery contain exotic ants outbreak spread suburbs first outbreak funding eradication efforts stop the ants spreading investigation red fire ants arrived foreign cargo ship bite bites severe burning sensation deaths reported small number of cases damage crops farming equipment threaten native flora and fauna Exotic Plant Pest Hotline /