Mansfield QLD 4122
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0406 178 471
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Biosecurity QLD Reportable · Do Not Disturb the Mound · Report: 13 25 23

Fire Ant Control Brisbane Biosecurity

Fire ants are a Biosecurity Queensland reportable species under the National Fire Ant Eradication Program. Report sightings to Biosecurity QLD on 13 25 23. We provide identification confirmation and authorised inspection. From $180.

0406 178 471 Report: 13 25 23
At a Glance
Report sightings toBiosecurity QLD: 13 25 23
Identification/inspectionfrom $180
Disturb the mound?No. Do not touch it.
DIY treatment?Not permitted. May spread.
Program zone?Most Brisbane suburbs

Suspected fire ant nest? Do not disturb the mound.

Do not dig, pour water, or apply any product to the mound. Disturbance causes the colony to split and relocate, spreading the infestation. Report immediately to Biosecurity Queensland: 13 25 23 or call us on 0406 178 471 for identification confirmation before any action is taken.

Identifying Fire Ants

How to Identify Fire Ants in Brisbane

Correct identification before any action is essential. Disturbing a mound that turns out to be an introduced fire ant colony disperses it and worsens the problem. These features distinguish fire ants from the many common ant species already present in Brisbane.

Colouring: red-brown with darker abdomen

Fire ants are copper-red to red-brown with a distinctly darker (near-black) abdomen. This two-tone appearance distinguishes them from most black or uniformly brown local ant species. Vary in size from 2mm to 6mm within the same colony.

Extremely aggressive when disturbed

Fire ants swarm rapidly onto any disturbance of the mound within seconds, biting and stinging simultaneously. This aggressive response is one of the most reliable identification cues. Native Brisbane ant species do not produce this immediate mass-swarming response.

No visible entry hole on the mound surface

Unlike most native ant mounds that have a visible hole at the top or sides, fire ant mounds have no surface opening. Ants enter and exit from underground tunnels below the mound. This is a key distinguishing feature when viewing the mound from a distance.

Sting produces white pustules within 24 hours

Fire ant stings produce an initial burning and stinging sensation. Within 8-24 hours, a characteristic white fluid-filled pustule forms at each sting site. This pustule reaction is specific to fire ant venom and distinguishes fire ant stings from other ant bites.

Fire Ant Mound Characteristics
Dome-shaped mound of loose, worked soil. No visible entry hole at the surface.
Typically 20-40cm wide and 10-20cm high in established mounds in turf areas.
Soil texture in the mound is finely worked and distinct from the surrounding turf area.
Multiple mounds may appear in the same area as the colony spreads through underground channels.
Mounds can appear on disturbed soil, in lawn areas, near paths, at fence lines, and in garden beds.
Do not approach closer than 1-2 metres or disturb the mound. Photograph from a safe distance only.
Biosecurity Obligation: Report Immediately

Biosecurity Queensland: Your Legal Obligation

Fire ants are a declared pest under the Queensland Biosecurity Act 2014. Queensland landowners who become aware of a fire ant presence on their property have a legal general biosecurity obligation to report it and take reasonable action. This is not optional.

Why Fire Ants Are a Priority Biosecurity Species
Red Imported Fire Ants (Solenopsis invicta) are one of the world's most invasive and damaging pest species. In regions where eradication failed, fire ants have destroyed native wildlife, disabled agricultural production, and made outdoor spaces unusable. Australia has one of the last viable opportunities for total eradication. The National Fire Ant Eradication Program, funded by the Australian and state governments, is the response. Every unreported nest reduces the program's effectiveness.
Declared pest under the Queensland Biosecurity Act 2014
Report to Biosecurity QLD on 13 25 23 or online
Landowners must not disturb or attempt to treat mounds without authorisation
Treatment is conducted by authorised operators under program protocols
Transport of soil, mulch, plant material, or equipment from known fire ant zones requires treatment certificates
Penalties apply for non-compliance with general biosecurity obligations
Do Not Do This

What You Must Not Do If You Find a Fire Ant Mound

These actions are commonly attempted and each one makes the situation worse rather than better. Fire ant colonies respond to disturbance by splitting and relocating, spreading the infestation.

Actions That Spread Fire Ants Rather Than Eliminate Them
Pouring boiling water over the mound. This kills surface ants but disperses the queen and brood underground to new locations.
Digging into the mound. Immediate mass swarming and stinging. The colony splits and relocates within hours.
Applying consumer insecticide spray to the mound surface. Kills workers at the surface but the colony survives and relocates.
Moving soil, compost, or plant material from around the mound. This transports ants and potentially fertile queens to new locations on or off the property.
Ignoring the mound and mowing over it. Lawn mowing over fire ant mounds scatters ants and mound material and may transport ants via equipment to other areas of the property or neighbouring properties.
What Happens After You Report

The Reporting and Treatment Process

The National Fire Ant Eradication Program has a defined response process once a nest is reported. We support this process with identification confirmation and authorised treatment where applicable.

Your Reporting Obligation

How to Report a Suspected Fire Ant Nest

Do not disturb the mound. Photograph from 1-2 metres distance if safe to do so.
Call Biosecurity Queensland on 13 25 23 or complete the online report at daf.qld.gov.au
Note the exact location (address, GPS coordinates, or property description)
Call us on 0406 178 471 for identification confirmation before and after reporting
Our Role: Identification and Inspection

How We Support the Process

Attend the property to confirm species identification. Not all red-brown ant mounds are fire ants. Confirmation before reporting prevents unnecessary program resource use.
Document mound locations and provide a written identification report for Biosecurity Queensland submission.
Where authorised treatment is required outside the standard program response, conduct treatment under the approved program protocols.
Advise on biosecurity movement controls for soil, mulch, and plant material on the property.
Fire Ant Sting First Aid

Fire Ant Sting First Aid

Fire ant stings are distinctly painful and produce a characteristic white pustule within 24 hours. Anaphylaxis is possible in sensitive individuals, particularly children and those with known insect venom allergy.

Normal Sting Reaction
Move away from the nest immediately. Check for and remove any ants still on the skin by brushing off (not squeezing).
Wash the sting sites with soap and water
Apply a cold pack to reduce the burning sensation
Do not scratch or break the white pustules that form after 8-24 hours. Scratching risks secondary infection.
Take an oral antihistamine. Seek medical attention if multiple stings occurred or local reaction is severe.
Anaphylaxis: Call 000 Immediately
Signs: difficulty breathing, throat or face swelling, rapid or weak pulse, dizziness, sudden vomiting
Call 000 immediately
Use an EpiPen if available
Lay the person flat with legs raised unless breathing is difficult
Stay with the person until the ambulance arrives
Pricing

Fire Ant Identification and Inspection Cost

Our role is identification confirmation and authorised inspection. Treatment under the National Fire Ant Eradication Program may be subsidised for properties within the program zone. Call 0406 178 471 to confirm current coverage for your address.

Identification and Inspection
from $180
Species confirmation, mound documentation, written report for Biosecurity QLD submission. Attend same or next day.
Authorised Treatment
Quoted
Treatment where required under program protocols. May be subsidised under the National Eradication Program for properties in the treatment zone. Call for current details.
FAQ

Fire Ant FAQ

Why are fire ants a biosecurity species in Queensland?
Red Imported Fire Ants are not native to Australia. They were introduced and have colonised Southeast Queensland. They are highly destructive to native wildlife, agricultural production, and human activity wherever they establish. Australia is one of the last countries with a realistic chance of total eradication. The National Fire Ant Eradication Program, funded by both state and federal governments, depends on reporting from every landowner who finds a nest.
How do I identify fire ants in Brisbane?
Key identification points: red-brown body with a darker abdomen, 2-6mm in size with multiple sizes in the same colony, extremely aggressive when the mound is approached with mass swarming within seconds, dome-shaped mound of loose soil with no visible surface entry hole, and white fluid-filled pustules forming at sting sites 8-24 hours after being stung. Call 0406 178 471 for identification confirmation if you are unsure.
Can I treat fire ants myself?
No. DIY treatment is not permitted under Queensland biosecurity obligations and is counterproductive. Disturbing a fire ant mound causes the colony to split and relocate, spreading the infestation. Consumer products applied to the mound surface do not eliminate the colony. All treatment must be conducted under the National Fire Ant Eradication Program protocols by authorised operators.
What do I do if fire ants sting me?
Move away immediately. Brush any remaining ants off without squeezing. Wash the sites with soap and water, apply a cold pack, and take an antihistamine. Do not scratch the white pustules that form within 24 hours. Seek immediate medical attention for signs of anaphylaxis: difficulty breathing, face or throat swelling, rapid pulse, or dizziness. Call 000 for anaphylaxis.
Which Brisbane suburbs are in the fire ant eradication zone?
The eradication program covers most of Southeast Queensland including Brisbane metro, Logan, Ipswich, Scenic Rim, Gold Coast, Redland City, and Moreton Bay. The zone boundary is updated as eradication progresses. Check the Biosecurity Queensland fire ant zone map at the DAF website or call 13 25 23 to confirm whether your address is within the current program zone.
How much does fire ant inspection cost in Brisbane?
Identification and inspection from $180. This confirms species, documents mound locations, and produces a written report suitable for Biosecurity Queensland submission. Authorised treatment may be available at subsidised cost for properties within the eradication program zone. Call 0406 178 471 to discuss current program coverage for your address before booking.
Ant control Brisbane All Brisbane pests

Suspected Fire Ants? Do Not Disturb. Call Immediately.

Species Confirmation · Biosecurity QLD Report · Authorised Treatment · from $180

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