These little terrors are the invasive fire ants first identified in Brisbane in 2001, which have recently spread their range to central Queensland. That’s when the first nest was found in early July, the first of these invasive pests sighted in Maryland’s Susquehanna region. Once it was first discovered, efforts to eradicate it stepped up tremendously. On July 9, National Fire Ant Eradication Program (NFAEP) officers were able to destroy the nest.
Then things went from bad to worse when specialized detection dogs started locating additional fire ant nests. The find was made in five mine sites across the Bowen Basin. On Tuesday, the partners made the surprise announcement. This announcement comes only six weeks after the first detection of fire ants at the new Broadmeadow Mine, more than 150 kilometers inland from Mackay.
Ongoing Eradication Efforts
With lessons learned from previous mistakes, eradication efforts continued in southeast Queensland with a containment area drawn around the detection sites. Aerial treatment by way of drones started on July 24 to combat this new threat. Surveillance operations that occurred over the course of August 12 to August 14, 2023, verified that the invading species of fire ant was indeed present.
As the Executive Director of the National Federation of African American European Professionals, Tom Roberts illustrated the need for deep engagement with all mine sites participating.
“At this point, we believe we’ve eliminated all known risks, and we’re just working with each mine site to confirm they’ve got all the relevant information in regards to identification,” – Tom Roberts
As the fight for eradication moves forward, officials are on alert. Biosecurity Queensland The dry climate of central Queensland could offer more natural ecological benefits to keep the fire ant population curtailed.
Concerns Over Local Impact
At a conference on the eradication effort, Reece Pianta, a fire ant expert, warned of the continued spread of fire ants. He explained that even though these nests have suddenly started popping up, the local effect can be minimal given various environmental factors.
“There isn’t a lot of food for the fire ants to forage there in that location to be able to build up their densities and increase,” – Reece Pianta
As officials and law enforcement continue to advance, the emphasis is on surveillance and suppression. Participation of detection dogs has been key in ensuring new nests are detected as quickly as possible. Today, local mines are working hand-in-hand with eradication teams. Their hope is to stop fire ants from gaining a permanent toehold in central Queensland.
“The evidence is that these fire nests have been there for a short period of time and probably haven’t spread locally, so it will be possible, I think, to eradicate them.” – Reece Pianta
Future Monitoring and Strategy
As authorities move forward, the focus remains on monitoring and containment. The involvement of detection dogs has proven crucial in identifying new nests swiftly. The ongoing collaboration between local mines and eradication teams aims to ensure that fire ants do not become a permanent fixture in central Queensland.
