Fire ants were located at Wardell, south of Ballina on Thursday, July 11 as part of the fire ant response to a previous detection of the fire ants in Wardell in January this year.
‘Odour detection dogs from the National Fire Ant Eradication Program located fire ants in Wardell. The dogs sniffed out the foraging fire ants whilst conducting surveillance activities on the same Wardell site that the pest was detected on in January 2024,’ said the press release from the National Fire Ant Eradication Program (NFAEP).
‘It is not uncommon to find foraging fire ants in areas receiving eradication treatment. The ants have been treated by direct nest injection. The Program has notified the NSW Department of Primary Industries and both parties will work together to ensure no fire ants remain.’
Currently up to 2km of the surrounding area is subject to fire ant eradication activities.
The NFAE eradication process incorporates a multi-stage approach nusing an insect growth regulator that prevents the queen from producing viable and reproductive offspring.
The ants forage to collect the treatment granules and circulate the treatment amongst the colony. This treatment takes time to have full effect. All properties in the targeted area must receive multiple rounds of broadscale treatment over two years to ensure eradication success.
For more information about fire ants, the Program or eradication treatment please visit fireants.org.au.
