Invasive fire ants continue march into inner-city park The discovery of fire ants in an inner Brisbane park raises questions about efforts to contain the spread of the invasive species ahead of the Olympics. AAP · May 16
‘Brisbane is getting a taste of it’: fire ants at New Farm shows invasive species is on the march – and an outbreak may follow The detection at a popular park of ‘one of the worst invasive species to reach Australia’ is causing concern that suppression efforts are cracking The Guardian - AU · Mar 17
Ecologists alarmed after ‘one of the worst invasive’ species found in ancient Australian rainforest Ants could have a $2bn per year-impact on Australia’s economy, researchers say The Independent UK · Mar 6
Weed declaration urged to control invasive grass An invasive species watchdog is urging stronger action to control fast-growing and destructive buffel grass across the outback before it is too late. AAP · Feb 11
Rainforests, rivers and sacred sites are being ‘ripped to shreds’ by feral pigs, Queensland traditional owners warn Destruction wrought by swine-borne disease is thinning the canopy of bunya pine forests and the problem is getting worse, experts say The Guardian - AU · Nov 29, 2025
Push to ramp-up fire ant battle as new nest found Fire ants are hampering agriculture, tourism and even kids' sport, with calls for more federal funding to control the spread of one of the world's worst pests. AAP · Nov 25, 2025
Detection of fire ants in Queensland 800km from closest infestation sparks fury over gaps in eradication funding Businesses and industry urged to stay alert after invasive species discovered at coalmine in Moranbah, about 150km inland from Mackay The Guardian - AU · Jul 11, 2025
Fire ant sting hospitalisations surge post-Cyclone Alfred as reports of first pet death also emerge Twenty-three people hospitalised with fire ant stings amid a surge in reports of the highly invasive pest in south-east Queensland The Guardian - AU · Mar 24, 2025
Reports of 'rafting' fire ants prompt border crackdown A temporary ban has been put in place for some products in an attempt to stop "super pest" fire ants from hitching a ride over state lines. AAP · Mar 14, 2025
Large rafts of invasive fire ants seen floating in flood waters after Cyclone Alfred Entire colonies filmed clinging on to debris, ready to make nests on dry ground in Queensland and beyond The Guardian - AU · Mar 12, 2025
Global super pest latest ex-cyclone flooding threat Fire ants have emerged as the latest floodwater threat in the wake of an ex-cyclone with the super pest spotted "rafting" and floating around a rain-hit region. AAP · Mar 12, 2025
Fire ant rafts could float down Queensland river after recent heavy rains, expert warns Growing infestations along the Logan river pose ‘very high risk’ of spreading downstream, Invasive Species Council says The Guardian - AU · Nov 25, 2024
'Emergency measures' needed to suppress fire ant sting A race is on to stop the potential nationwide spread of devastating fire ants as fears increase ahead of summer. AAP · Nov 25, 2024
Fire ants escape Queensland hidden in 'treated turf' Turf ticked off as being treated for fire ants has proven to be a Trojan horse for one of the worst invasive species to reach Australian shores. AAP · Nov 14, 2024
The Guardian - AU · Oct 29, 2024 Labor has ‘pressed pause’ in fight to contain spread of fire ants, invasive species council says Fire ants ‘not taken seriously’ by federal government, experts say
AAP · Oct 29, 2024 Authorities cop fire over response to ant 'super pest' Critics have blasted the federal government for "failing to grasp the urgency" of tackling potentially devastating invasive fire ant incursions.
The Guardian - AU · Sep 12, 2024 Fear for koalas after bushwalker finds fire ant nests near Queensland sanctuary Calls for suppression efforts to be extended after at least five nests discovered at Logan in the Daisy Hill koala bushlands
AAP · Aug 23, 2024 Thousands of fire ant nests infest Qld properties Fire ants are having a field day in Queensland, with reports of thousands of nests on some properties. Questions are now being asked about suppression efforts.
The Guardian - AU · Jun 27, 2024 Fire ants could be spreading on Australian military bases due to ‘massive surveillance failure’, experts say Exclusive: Invasive Species Council demands audit of all defence sites after red imported fire ants detected at Swartz Barracks outside Queensland containment zone
AAP · May 30, 2024 Fire ants found again outside Qld containment zone Two fire ant nests have been found on the Sunshine Coast amid rising fears about a spate of recent outlier detections.
The Guardian - AU · Apr 22, 2024 Experts say discovery of fire ants in Murray Darling Basin should be ‘ringing alarm bells’ Risk of fire ants spreading at ‘another level’ after detection in Oakey, Queensland, says chair of NSW Farmers’ biosecurity committee
The Guardian - AU · Feb 20, 2024 Fire ant crackdown: turf from Queensland must be chemically treated when laid in NSW Fines of up to $2.2m can be levied against those who ignore biosecurity order to counter invasive insects
International Business Times UK · Jan 18, 2024 Deadly Fire Ants Seen Forming Rafts To Survive Australian Floods The experts are worried that they might spread to other parts of the country.
The Guardian - AU · Jan 16, 2024 Fire ants form rafts to survive Queensland flood waters as experts warn of surge Invasive Species Council says rare rafting behaviour seen on cane farms south of Brisbane
The Guardian - AU · Jan 11, 2024 Fire ant outbreak in NSW contained but helicopter baiting continues Genetic testing suggests ants were transplanted to Murwillumbah from Queensland – possibly in a delivery of turf