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Surveying for Red Imported Fire Ants

16 December 2009

The Department of Agriculture and Food is conducting a targeted survey in the South West on the lookout for Red Imported Fire Ants.

The exotic pest has not been found in Western Australia, but an infestation in Queensland has prompted nationwide surveillance.

The department’s biosecurity officers will be searching garden nurseries, caravan parks, ports and high traffic tourist areas for any signs of the aggressive ants.

Biosecurity officer Brian Smith said early detection was the key to stopping Red Imported Fire Ants from establishing elsewhere.

He said a major effort was currently underway in Queensland to eradicate the infestations.  In the United States, about $900 million was spent annually controlling Red Imported Fire Ants.

“The ants are primarily urban pests, but can also have a significant impact on agriculture, damaging cultivated tree seedlings and reticulation systems as well as affecting animals in intensive production systems,” Mr Smith said.

They are aggressive predators and can pose a major ecological threat to reptiles, frogs and mammals.

Mr Smith said Red Imported Fire Ants were small golden to reddish brown ants with darker abdomens, varying in size from 2-6mm.

They looked similar to many common native ants found in WA, but unlike native ants have a fiery sting that causes the skin to blister.

Red Imported Fire Ants build multiple low, squat mounds out of piles of fluffy soil, often with grass or other vegetation growing through them.

Any suspicious samples should be sent to the Department of Agriculture and Food at Locked Bag 4, Bentley Delivery Centre WA, 6983. Caution should be taken while collecting ants.

“An easy method for collecting samples is to stick the specimen on a piece of clear sticky tape and place in the freezer for 24 hours before forwarding to the department,” Mr Smith said.

Further information and photographs are available in Gardennote 355/2009 on the Department of Agriculture and Food website www.agric.wa.gov.au or contact the Pest and Disease Information Service on on freecall 1800 084 881.

Media contacts:

Brian Smith, biosecurity officer, 9780 6175, 0427 387 412 (survey details)

Marc Widmer, technical officer 9368 3333 (technical information)