I think you have been mis-informed on the DPI here are doing nothing. They have been in contact with the experts in the USA and they are spraying the nests and closely monitoring the results. They have tried a number of different treatments also. Unfortunately other countries, including the USA have not succeeded in stopping the fire ant. I havn't got it handy but there is a web page here on the ant.

If you are interested you could try the Qld Dept. Primary Industries web site www.dpi.qld.gov.au
I think it is in there somewhere.

Doug.

There is a massive effort being put into eradication by the Qld Dept of Primary Industries over the next 5 years following the Commonwealth and other States Governments realising that it is a serious problem. They have all contributed now after much prodding and I think the budget is $130 million.

The track record in control in Texas, USA has been bad and there yearly cost for non-control is up in the USD$500 m area. Hopefully we have learnt from these mistakes.

The aim now is wide publicity, so the nests are recognised, so the egg laying females can be eradicated. Like green & bull ants I assume fireants are wingless wasps too. Any entomologists comment please.

The ants probably were imported into Australia in soil on farm machinery or within a shipping container. I still believe we have some of the best quarantine controls in the world and this outbreak only proves our island country is no longer safe from the nasties overseas and anyone importing illegal plants, soils etc should be locked up and the door welded shut.

For those who havn't seen the ant it looks similar in size and colour to the small brown ants we see around the house, typically 2 to 4mm long.

Liatris

The DPI (Department of Primary Industries) have already started an eradication project in this entire area.

These ants are very difficult to positively identify as we have our own native fire ant which looks similar, If you believe that you have RIFA in your property you should and under the plant protection act have an obligation to contact the DPI Fire Ant Control Centre on 132523.

Strong advertising, observation and reporting quickly is very important so SE Queenslanders need to know what to look for. That system is where the Texans failed.

We also have an ant brought over from your area, the white-footed ant (Technomyrmex albipes). I think you call it the black house ant or something like that. I am doing research on control for this ant and have invented a bait that works very well. Anyway, I hope to get out-back someday!

John

One of the important differences between Australia and the US is that the Qld government issued laws which allowed DPI officers to enter any and all property to search for, and bait, the fire ants. This has meant that a blanket baiting of ALL nests discovered has been possible, and is a key factor in the success of the program here. Arnold Swarzenegger received criticism when he stopped funding to the fire ant program in California, but the difference was, if just one person refused to allow the authorities onto their property to look for/poison the ants, then the whole neighbourhood - and eventually the State - remained infected. Also, as a community we are much more behind the drive to get rid of the fire ants - the American people attending the convention could not believe that people in Brisbane VOLUNTEER for fire ant patrols - I work with about 5 people who give up one day a fortnight (and have done for nearly 3 years now) just to walk around peoples backyards and look for/treat fire ant nests.

The wharf area in Auckland NZ also had a fire ant infestation that has been successfully treated, in part for the same reason - authorities were allowed to inspect/treat any and all property.

If you would like to know more maybe you could call them directly.. as they are winning but with your help not your critiscism.... ( not all of you do that i know)