Invasive deadly red fire ants found in Sydney’s inner west

A nest of deadly red imported fire ants was discovered at a logistics hub in Sydney’s inner west.

The nest was found in the Enfield Intermodal Logistics Centre after ants were discovered in a lure used by Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry officials.

The ants were likely to have been imported to Australia in a shipping container from overseas, not from south-east Queensland where Australia’s main fire ant infestation site sits.

The nest was destroyed, and specialist fire-ant-detection dog teams undertook surveillance around the logistics hub but have not found any other nests.

The Invasive Species Council describes fire ants as one of the world’s worst super-pests, which if established and spread around Australia would cost the economy up to $2 billion a year.

Focus will now turn to inspecting and treating properties within a 500-metre radius of the logistics centre, and searching for any nests in a two-kilometre radius.

A NSW government statement said local businesses that deal in soil, turf, building materials or vegetation will be contacted to work through measures to identify and treat any fire ant incursion while minimising disruption.

“It’s important to note that no further ants have been found, but we are focused on making sure any potential spread is identified and eradicated quickly,” Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty said.

“While fire ants are one of the world’s most invasive species, they can and have been successfully eradicated in NSW.”

Fire ants were previously found in Port Botany in 2014 and were eradicated.

Invasive Species Council advocacy director Reece Pianta said the detection was a reminder of why investment in border biosecurity was so important, and used the news to call for more funding for the national eradication program.

“In south-east Queensland they invade backyards, parks and sporting fields, attack pets and wildlife and threaten agriculture and infrastructure. Sydney does not want to find out what living with fire ants looks like,” Pianta said.

More to come

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