Rodney Stevens
The movement of hay from Fire Ant infested areas of southeast Queensland into NSW has been suspended in the wake of ex-tropical cyclone Alfred as viral videos have emerged of the dangerous pests forming rafts on floodwater.
After the potentially dangerous weather system crossed the Queensland Coast near Bribie Island on March 8, a Clarence Valley local posted a video of ants forming rafts on floodwater, posing the question ‘are these fire ants?’
Since then, several videos have emerged on social media of large rafts of Fire Ants swarming together in southeast Queensland floodwaters following the ex-tropical cyclone.
The videos, which have gone viral online show colonies of the highly invasive pest, that could cost the Australian economy an estimated $22 billion by 2040 if not eradicated, clinging to flood debris and forming rafts, floating to new locations to build nests.
As a result, the NSW Government suspended Group Biosecurity Emergency permits which allow movements of hay from specified lower risk areas in the fire ant biosecurity zone of Southeast Queensland under certain conditions, for one month from March 13.
This latest permit suspension follows the indefinite suspension of turf movement from Queensland Fire Ant Infested Areas in November 2024.
The NSW Government response follows the discovery of multiple fire ant colonies rafting in flood waters in Queensland, within the Logan River catchment.
While the catchment flows to the northeast and into Moreton Bay, the risk of mobile fire ant colonies being transported into NSW in known carrier materials may have increased.
This suspension allows the Department to further assess the distribution of fire ants following the flooding events and determine the current biosecurity.
NSW Chief Invasive Species Officer Scott Charlton acknowledged the behaviour of Fire Ants rafting.
“We know that fire ants will raft in water as a survival mechanism and move following rain and flooding events,” he said.
“The recent videos and images on social media of fire ants forming rafts are no doubt concerning.
“However, we know from hydrological analysis that ants floating into NSW is not possible.
“What we can do is mitigate the increased risks of human-assisted movement of fire ants from the infested areas of Queensland and suspend the hay permit.”
NSW Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty said we’ve all seen the images of wind and rain in Queensland, and this is making the fire ants mobile over the coming weeks.
“The impacts of Tropical Cyclone Alfred are being felt in our agricultural sector in the north of the state,” she said.
“They need our support to get them back on their feet and don’t want a fire ant incursion adding stress and strain to their recovery.”
If you discover what you think could be Fire Ants, take a photo or a video and contact the NSW Biosecurity Helpline on 1800 680 244, or report them using an online form at https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/dpi/bfs/insect-pests/rifa/Seen-them-call-us