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John McDonald joined us to discuss the recent discovery of red imported fire ants and provided updates and advice on the situation. Click the button here to watch the webinar:
Red imported fire ants are dark reddish-brown with a darker black-brown abdomen and from 2- to 6-millimetres long, and while they can look similar to other ants, their nests are distinctive with mounds of loose, crumbly or fluffy looking soil with a honeycomb appearance. Look for them in sunny open areas as well as disturbed soil.
NSW:
NSW Biosecurity (Fire Ant) Emergency Orders were put in place in Northern NSW after fire ants were discovered in South Murwillumbah, 13 kilometres south of the Queensland border in November 2023 and in Wardell in January 2024. Below is a link to the most recent Biosecurity Emergency Order.
The NSW emergency order spans a five-kilometre radius from the nest sites and restricts businesses and residents within the radius from moving fire ant carrier materials out of the biosecurity zone such as:
- Organic mulch
- compost
- growing media
- manure
- soil and anything with soil on it
- hay
- potted plants
- turf
- agricultural equipment
- earth moving equipment
- mining and quarrying materials
- grass
- park and garden vegetation and clippings
- excavated plants and stumps
- packaging, containers and coverings and pallets
- recycled concrete aggregate
- building waste
- green waste
- heavy vehicles
NOTE: These materials, including potted plants, can be in transit from outside the biosecurity zone through the 5km biosecurity zone to go to outside the zone as long as the stock/truck is in the zone for less than 12 hours (so travel on the M1 highway outside of Wardell at present is permitted for stock).
Record of Movement Requirements
Moving fire ant carriers into NSW from Declared Fire Ant Biosecurity Zones? Under the Emergency Order you must declare a Record of Movement. Any person who initiates the movement of a fire ant carrier into NSW from the fire ant infested area must:
- provide details of the movement and a copy of the approved biosecurity certificate to the Department of Primary Industries by completing and submitting the record of movement declaration form before the fire ant carrier is moved, and
- retain details of the movement for 4 years.
This means retail garden centres and production nurseries buying stock (including potted plants and growing media) from within the fire ant movement control areas in Queensland and NSW must declare the Record of Movement – because you initiate the movement by placing an order! Failing to do this is an offence that carries severe penalties.
Record of Movement exemptions
Record of movement (RoM) declarations are not required for agricultural and horticultural equipment, heavy vehicles, pallets, packaging, containers and coverings, green waste, building waste, soil samples, rocks and stones over 20 mm in diameter, recycled concrete aggregate over 20 mm in diameter, and indoor potted plants.
To check if the supplier you are ordering from is located within a declared Fire Ant Biosecurity Zone (and if you need to complete a Record of Movement) you will need to check the suppliers address in the Fire Ant Biosecurity Zone Map which is updated daily
NSW Record of Movement Form Filling Instructions
To complete this form you'll need:
- the required Biosecurity Certificate (as a photo, Word or PDF file) (if moving fire ant carrier from Queensland)
- the registration number/s of the transport vehicle/s (if the fire ant carrier is moving by road)
- the train identification (if the fire ant carrier is moving by rail)
- the date the movement will occur
- the street address the fire ant carrier will be moved from (the origin)
- the street address the fire ant carriers will be moved to (the destination)
- a contact person and phone number at the origin and destination
- your ABN (if you have one)
You might not know all of this information at the time of ordering your stock (such as registration of the transport vehicle and the date of movement). You must start a Record of Movement and save your progress to return to later when you have all the required information from the seller and the freight company. You must finalise and submit the form before the product physically comes into NSW from Queensland/Biosecurity Zones. Because you initiated the movement (by asking for the product) the onus is on you to start a form and submit it once you have all the information.
To resume a partially filled-out form you have two options:
- The form will automatically save your data locally to your web browser every 10 seconds. This data is retained even if you close and reopen your web browser. To resume from this autosaved data just click [Continue] when prompted.
- Save for later. Click the [Save for later] button. This will save your data on our severs. You can then either:
- Save the "Click here to return to your form" link; or
- Email yourself that link in the Email Address field we'll provide.
If you anticipate filling out multiple Records of Movement you might like to verify your browser's form history, or "autofill", function is enabled.
New Requirement - Premises Checking Every 12 Weeks if You Source Stock From Fire Ant Zones
A person must not move a fire ant carrier from a premises in the QLD fire ant infested area into the NSW protection zone or the NSW fire ant infested area unless the following parts of their premises are checked every 12 weeks for fire ant nests:
(i) the ground along the edges of drainage lines, dams and waterways
(ii) the ground along the edges of driveways,
(iii) the ground along fence lines,
(iv) the ground around power poles,
(v) gardens,
(vi) lawns,
(vii) the ground along the edges of paddocks where crops are grown, and
(viii) all areas within 50 metres of where fire ant carriers are grown, packed, sourced, stored, held or made
A written record of the date and parts of the premises that have been checked is made and kept for a minimum of 4 years after each time the premises is checked.
Premises checking exemptions
Premises checking is not required for premises where heavy vehicles, agricultural and horticultural equipment, earth moving equipment, pallets or packaging, containers and covers, green waste and building waste, soil samples, rocks and stones over 20 mm in diameter, recycled concrete aggregate over 20 mm in diameter and indoor potted plants have come from.
New Requirement - Turning Certain Fire Ant Carriers Every 21 Days in Fire Ant Controlled Movement Area
Some carriers need to be turned every 21 days in a Fire Ant Controlled Movement Area. Turning every 21-days is now required for:
• soil, mulch, compost, manure,
• growing media,
• sand,
• rocks and stones under 20 mm in diameter,
• recycled concrete aggregate under 20 mm in diameter,
• coal fines and chitters.
ACT:
On Thursday 15th February 2024, the ACT Government announced new mandatory restrictions on the importation of products and materials into the ACT that could potentially carry fire ants from affected areas of fire ant infestations in NSW and Queensland under the Plant Diseases (Red Imported Fire Ant Importation Restrictions) Declaration 2024. Potential fire ant carriers that are covered up this ACT Declaration are organic mulch and soil, bailed materials, potted plants, turf, agricultural or earth moving equipment, mining or quarrying materials. Industry specific measures for the ACT are listed below:
Potted plants
Potted plants that have been present in the known infested area must not be moved into the ACT unless the following requirements have been met:
- (a) the potting media that is part of the potted plant was treated with an APVMA approved chemical for the control of fire ants in accordance with all label directions and permit conditions;
- (b) the treatment of the potting media of the potted plant remains effective until the potted plant arrives in the ACT; and Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au
- (c) the plant is accompanied by one of the following certificates certifying that the measures in paragraphs (a) and (b) have been met: (i) a plant health certificate; (ii) a BioSecure HACCP Biosecurity Certificate issued in accordance with the entry conditions specified in BioSecure HACCP Entry Conditions Compliance Procedure Number: ECCPRIFA28, published by GIA; and (iii)a plant health assurance certificate issued in accordance with the ICA procedure ICA-39 Treatment of Bulk Growing Media and Potted Plants for Red Imported Fire Ant.
Organic mulch and soil
Organic mulch or soil that has been present in the known infested area must not be moved into the ACT unless the following requirements have been met:
- (a) the organic mulch or soil was treated so that all parts of the mass were brought to a minimum temperature of 65.5° Celsius;
- (b) immediately following treatment, the organic mulch or soil was handled and stored in a manner that prevents infestation by fire ants;
- (c) the organic mulch or soil remains in conditions that prevent infestation by fire ants until it arrives in the ACT; and
- (d) the organic mulch or soil is accompanied by one of these certificates certifying that the measures in paragraphs (a) and (b) have been met: (i) a plant health certificate, or (ii) a BioSecure HACCP Biosecurity Certificate issued in accordance with the entry conditions specified in BioSecure HACCP Entry Conditions Compliance Procedure Number: ECCPRIFA21, published by GIA.
Fire Ant Identification
Their distinguishable features make them easy to identify against other ant species. Fire ants are:
- copper brown with a darker abdomen
- small, measuring 2–6 mm
- found in a variety of sizes within the one nest
- waist section has two segments
- aggressive behaviour - hundreds of ants will come out of a nest if disturbed, trying to sting over and over
Fire ant nests can look like mounds or flat patches of soil with no obvious entry or exit holes. They are not always visible and can take months to pop up. Fire ants can adapt and survive in most climates and environments around the world. They are usually found in warm, open areas such as:
- lawns, pastures and cropland
- footpaths and driveways
- garden beds and in piles of organic matter
- water sources—taps, dams and irrigation lines
- utility pits—water and gas meters
- cultivated land
- along fence lines
- disturbed soil and newly developed areas.
Look under and next to objects on the ground like timber, logs, rocks, pavers or bricks. Best practice is a 28 day cycle for checking perimeters, fence lines, roadsides, irrigation run off banks, shade cloth edges, soil and green waste piles etc.
What should I do if I suspect fire ants?
Don’t touch the ants or their nest with any part of your body as there is a high chance of being severely stung. Don’t disturb or treat the infestation yourself as this can cause the ants to move and spread, or swarm and sting.
If it’s safe to do so taking photos will help with identification. If you can only see a nest, gently poke the edge of the nest with a long stick to encourage the ants to come out, making sure you don’t get too close.
Keep your camera still and allow ants to walk past the lens. Moving the camera too much makes the image blurry. Use the zoom on your camera to get a close-up image while keeping a safe distance. Put an object like a coin or a key near the ants as a size comparison.
Reporting to NSW DPI
Report any suspicious ant sightings in NSW to DPI immediately, as these pests can spread rapidly. Important: Don't try to control or treat suspected fire ants yourself. Eradication requires direct supervision by NSW DPI to apply the expert treatment and checks. Use the online form; OR Call 1800 680 244
Reporting to ACT Access Canberra
If you think you have seen fire ants or their nests in the ACT, do not disturb or touch them. Contact Access Canberra on 13 22 81 during business hours.
What should I do if I get stung?
The following guidance is general information and if in doubt, seek medical advice. If you are stung by fire ants, small blisters may form on your skin. Leave the blisters intact, wash with soap and water and apply a cold compress or ice to relieve the swelling and pain.
Stings are rarely life threatening. People prone to allergic reactions could experience severe symptoms and should seek immediate medical attention.
Fire Ant Biosecurity Zone Map (National Fire Ant Eradication Authority)/Map of Infestations (Department of Primary Industries NSW)
The Fire Ant Biosecurity Zone Map from the National Fire Ant Eradication Authority map shows sites that have had fire ants in the last 12 months as well the up to date and declared biosecurity zones. There are 2 fire ant biosecurity zones.
- Zone 1 covers suburbs that have received or are scheduled to receive fire ant eradication treatment.
- Zone 2 covers suburbs yet to receive eradication treatment.
You will need to complete a Record of Movement if you are buying stock from either zone.
The Map of Infestations from DPI shows the fire ant infested area of South East Queensland and Northern NSW.
Links to both are provided below
Managing potted plants in a fire ant biosecurity zone
To prevent the spread of fire ants, risk mitigation controls must be used when managing potted plants in fire ant biosecurity zones. The National Fire Ant Eradication Authority has information on how to comply with biosecurity when:
- storing potted plants
- treating potted plants
- moving potted plants off site
- keeping records
Fire Ant Free Training
The National Fire Ant Eradication Program has created fire ant training for workplaces. This course will help you carefully manage fire ants or materials that can carry fire ants, such as soil, hay, mulch, animal manure, quarry materials, turf and potted plants. It is a free online course which take 30-45 minutes to complete. A certificate will be provided at the end of the training and completion of a short multiple-choice assessment
They also have training available for residents if you get questions about fire ants from your customers
Permit for use of MaxGuard 2G (Bifenthrin) for control of RIFA
ICL Fertilizers have provided information on treatment options with Maxguard 2G (Bifenthrin 2g/Kg) incorporated into potting mix (granular bifenthrin in media is the best practice form of preventive chemical treatment).
Bifenthrin can be incorporated by potting soil companies. The rate will vary slightly depending on the length of time control is wanted for, and also the bulk density of the potting media. Most potting soil manufacturers in QLD and Northern NSW should be aware of this permit and the rates calculations and will be able to add it your mix for you.