The NSW Government has today confirmed and eradicated an immature fire ant nest at South Murwillumbah, where fire ants were first detected in NSW in November 2023.
The nest was reported, identified and eradicated today demonstrating the swift action undertaken by the NSW Government and National Fire Ant Eradication Program (NFAEP) teams.
The treatment of the South Murwillumbah infested area has been managed as a multi-stage process. Detections surrounding infested sites are to be expected, highlighting the importance of the multiple stage treatment and surveillance approach that is required over a extended period.
All known nests receive a direct nest injection with fipronil. Then a broadcast treatment, either aerial or ground team application, using insect growth regulator spread out between 2km to 5km, which this site has received. There are two further treatments scheduled for the South Murwillumbah site.
There is an existing control order in place for this area from the initial detection in November 2023, restricting how potential fire ant carrier materials can be moved or transported. There is no need to extend that current movement control.
The nest has been categorised as low-risk due to the absence of reproductive ants.
The site is currently being investigated by the NFAEP, NSW Government and Tweed Council teams. The nest is confirmed to be low risk with no signs that it has yet produced reproductive ants.
Residents and businesses can report any suspicious ant activity to 1800 680 244 or by visiting Report Exotic Ants.
Minister for Agriculture and Western NSW Tara Moriarty said:
“We don’t want these ants to spread any further into NSW, which is why this Government committed $95 million to the National Program raising it from the $15 million committed by the former Nationals Liberal Government.
“The NSW Government is working closely with the Tweed Shire Council and the National Program, to ensure we’re keeping the community updated and applying all available resources to the area.
“I urge everyone in the local area to check their premises, yards and paddocks for the red imported fire ants and then reporting any suspected sighting immediately.
“Biosecurity is a shared responsibility, and everyone working together is needed to keep fire ants out of NSW.”