Australians are being urged to collect free fire ant treatment kits from select Bunnings stores this weekend to help the fight against one of the country’s most damaging pests.
The invasive insects have been declared one of the “world’s worst invasive species”, and Reece Pianta from the Invasive Species Council (ISC) previously told Yahoo News the issue is so large that it “has to be” Australia’s number one priority.
As the pests continue to move across southeast Queensland — at an impressive rate — the National Fire Ant Eradication Program is offering free treatment kits for Aussie homeowners affected by the spread of the invasive pest.
Today, the Fire Ant Suppression Taskforce (FAST) will be at three Bunnings stores in southeast Queensland where the ants have been seen to hand out the free treatment kits and answer questions from concerned property owners
Between 9am and 11am at the Bundamba, Springfield Central and West Ipswich Bunnings stores, shoppers will be able to pick up the kits and they have been advised to apply treatment the same day as part of a coordinated effort to suppress the pests.
“We’ve welcomed the Fire Ant Eradication team to our Queensland stores for the past five years to help support eradication efforts and raise awareness of the threat of fire ants,” a Bunnings spokesperson told Yahoo News.
For those who cannot make it to Bunnings today, information on how to get a treatment kit can be found here.
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Baits that render the queens infertile is the best way to eradicate fire ant nests. Source: Invasive Species Council
Aussie homeowners can face $16,690 fines if caught ‘obstructing’ treatment
The free kits are the latest tool in a large-scale prevention effort.
For months, authorities have knocked on the doors of Aussie residents to apply treatments in at-risk areas, with some sceptical about what is being released onto their property.
However, a spokesperson for the National Fire Ant Eradication Program (NFAEP) spoke out last month, saying anyone who “obstructs our eradication” efforts can face penalties of up to $16,690.
“Under section 261 of the Biosecurity Act 2014 (Qld), our officers are authorised to access and treat all properties for the purpose of eradicating fire ants,” the spokesperson previously told Yahoo News.
Aerial treatments are underway in several towns and suburbs, such as Nirimba and Baringam, according to the NFAEP. It will also soon be undertaken at Currimundi, Forest Glen, North Arm and Palmview, after several recent detections.
The Invasive Species Council of Australia say fire ants are an environmental and national disaster. Source: Invasive Species Council of Australia
Why is there a push to prevent the spread of fire ants?
Fire ants are a major biosecurity threat that can decimate crops, kill livestock and cause potentially deadly allergic reactions in Australians.
When a red ant nest is disturbed, the colony work together to attack the perceived predator, and hundreds of ants can inject venom into the skin.
The stings are painful giving off a fire-like burning sensation before swelling and redness occur. Days later, sting sites develop blisters and pustules.
Fire ants are highly mobile and can travel up to five kilometres, easily establishing new nests and spreading rapidly, meaning intervention is an absolute necessity if we want to prevent the country from being overrun with the pests.
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