Thousands of fire ant nests infest southeast Queensland, Australia, posing a significant threat to agriculture, infrastructure, and public health.
Thousands of fire ant nests are infesting properties in southeast Queensland, Australia, with some densities approaching those in Texas, a known hotspot for uncontrolled infestations. Experts are concerned that the high-density infestations pose a significant threat to agriculture, livestock, native species, infrastructure, and public health, potentially costing Australia 2.8% of its GDP annually. The Invasive Species Council has called for a reassessment of suppression efforts, suggesting that suppression should be a core function of the eradication program. Current efforts rely on property owners, tenants, and farmers applying the free bait provided by the Queensland government's Fire Ant Suppression Taskforce.
August 23, 2024
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