The Queensland Government has announced a significant shift in fire ant eradication efforts, confirming that treatments will now be carried out year-round — including through the cooler months — to better protect the state’s biosecurity and agriculture sectors.
For the first time, eradication treatments are being conducted during winter, following promising scientific trials by the National Fire Ant Eradication Program. The research confirmed that fire ants continue to forage and consume bait even in lower temperatures, allowing for more consistent control across the year.
Treatment efforts are currently focused in the western parts of the biosecurity zone, including the Lockyer Valley, Somerset and Scenic Rim regions, with plans to extend eastwards as the season progresses. However, the broader strategy is aimed at strengthening biosecurity outcomes across all of Queensland, not just the southeast corner.
Queensland Minister for Primary Industries Tony Perrett said the decision to move to year-round treatment marks a critical turning point in the state’s approach to fire ant control.
“We are strengthening Queensland’s biosecurity by putting the latest science into practice and extending treatment to all seasons,” Minister Perrett said.
“This is about safeguarding not just local communities, but Queensland’s agricultural industry and environment more broadly.”
Fire ants are considered one of the world’s worst invasive species, posing risks to human health, livestock, native wildlife and infrastructure. Left unchecked, they have the potential to cause widespread environmental and economic damage.
The expanded program also responds to a series of independent reviews in recent years that called for stronger, more sustained efforts to contain the pest.
“The goal is clear: we want to eradicate fire ants from Queensland by 2032, and this move gives us our best chance yet,” Mr Perrett said.
“By using science-backed strategies and investing in long-term biosecurity, we can give our farmers, regional communities and the wider public the protection they deserve.”
The Queensland Government has committed to working closely with the National Fire Ant Eradication Program, local councils and industry partners to ensure the treatments are effectively rolled out.
Residents and landholders are also reminded of their role in early detection and are encouraged to report suspected fire ant nests to authorities, as community involvement remains a vital component of the eradication effort.
The shift to all-season treatment represents a renewed focus on proactive and targeted biosecurity — with the aim of ensuring Queensland’s natural environment, industries and communities remain protected well into the future.
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