Red Imported Fire Ants Detected in WA Port

Invasive Ant Pest Found in Perth

In November 2019, a colony of Red Imported Fire Ants was detected in WA’s Fremantle port area. This particular species of ants is considered one of the most serious and invasive ant pests in the world, due to its harmful effect on people, agriculture, flora & fauna, infrastructure and recreational activities.

Red Imported Fire Ants are native to several South American countries, such as Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and Argentina. The United States of America have been battling for years with Red Imported Fire Ants as they have spread across the states.

This is the first time that this pest has ever been detected in Western Australia; however, they have been a known pest to Australian shorelines since 2001 when they were first detected in Queensland.  In February 2001, these ants were discovered at the Port of Brisbane and in the south-western suburbs of Brisbane & South-east Queensland. Spread from the initial Brisbane detection led to fire ant infestations around the greater Brisbane area including Ipswich, Logan and Redlands. Infestations have also been found in the Scenic Rim, Gold Coast and Lockyer Valley areas.

Red Imported Fire Ants can inflict a painful and fiery sting, which in some people can cause an allergic reaction. They form 'super colonies' with multiple queens and can move quickly and undetected resulting in them being able to spread at a rapid rate.

Red Imported Fire Ants feed voraciously on small ground fauna, including insects, spiders, lizards, frogs, birds and mammals. They can quickly have a huge impact on agricultural and horticultural crops by damaging plants and nurturing sap-sucking insects. They also affect turf and nursey species, and can make backyards and parks unusable.

Due to the risk, this pest poses to our Australian wildlife and lifestyle action continues to be taken to eradicate this pest from Australia and combat the infestation issues across Queensland.  
Since the first detection there has been a further four separate invasions from Red Imported Fire Ants detected across Queensland & another in New South Wales. All of which were immediately treated and successfully eradicated.

Reporting Detections of Red Imported Fire Ants

As Red Imported Fire Ants represents such a serious threat to our health, environment and economy. Members of the community and industry play an important role by reporting suspected detections. Early reporting is a vital part of preventing Red Imported Fire Ants from establishing and spreading. They are listed as a notifiable pest in most Australian states and territories, which means there is a legal obligation to report suspected detections. This obligation applies to everyone, including individuals and organisations.

If you suspect that you have seen Red Imported Fire Ants or any other type of exotic invasive ants you should report sightings to Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881. This number will put you in contact with your local department of primary industries or agriculture.

How to identify Red Imported Fire Ants

Red Imported Fire Ants are hard to distinguish from common native ants. They are 2-8mm in size and are reddish brown in colour with a slightly darker abdomen. Their nests have no visible entry holes like other ant nests & young nests can be indistinct, and start out as small piles of excavated soil. They tend to nest in open areas like lawns, firebreaks or fence lines.

If you are unfortunate, enough to encounter this pest there is a good chance you will be stung. Their fiery sting is painful, can blister and form pustules at the sting site. Unlike most pests, these ants will sting almost immediately and are very aggressive.

To learn more about Red Imported Fire Ants & other pest outbreaks can be found at National Pest & Disease Outbreaks.

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