The State Government has committed an additional $17.1 million to the National Fire Ant Eradication Program to help intensify the fight against one of the world's most invasive pests.
Red imported fire ants (RIFA) are a destructive pest which cause extensive ecological and agricultural damage.
They destroy crops, machinery, and render yards, parks, paddocks, and farmlands unusable. Fire ants can damage electrical equipment including air conditioners, streetlights, and telecommunication networks.
They are only 2 to 6 millimetres long but are aggressive, swarm when disturbed and can inflict a painful sting that can cause potentially fatal allergic reactions in people, pets, and livestock.
Fire ants have not been detected in South Australia but are present in Queensland and have more recently been found in New South Wales.
Five nests were detected at Murwillumbah in northern NSW in November, and last month they were found in Ballina, south of Byron Bay, illustrating the ease at which this pest can spread and invade new territory.
Genetic samples have been taken to determine the origin of the ants and whether they are linked to the Queensland infestation which has been moving southwards in recent years.
The main way fire ants spread is through human activity. Moving host material such as containerised plants, potting media, soil, organic mulch, turf, hay, straw, agriculture machinery or used containers can spread fire ants over many kilometres, and they can rapidly establish new colonies.
Residents, travellers, and commercial operations returning to or visiting South Australia from Queensland should be aware of the requirements and restrictions on moving plants, fruit, vegetables, machinery, and equipment into the state. See Plant health for information on movement restrictions.
The National Fire Ant Eradication Program includes a four-year response plan, worth a total of $592.8 million, to scale-up efforts across a broader operational area using the latest technology and innovative approaches to work towards eventual eradication. The State Government's latest funding commitment is on top of the $6.5 million that it had already budgeted to the project.
Red imported fire ants are a notifiable pest in South Australia which means there is a legal obligation for everyone to report any suspected detections to the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881. Early reporting plays a vital part in preventing them from establishing and spreading.