The cost of managing fire ants as an established species in Australia would be significant and would have long term consequences for many industries such as development, construction, tourism, agriculture, the environment, health, infrastructure and social amenity. While control and eradication measures cost millions of dollars each year, the expenditure is small when compared to the potential long term cost of fire ants to Australia. RIFA are thought to have reached Brisbane by hitch-hiking on an Argentinian shipping container. Since fire ants were first discovered in south east Queensland in 2001, the Queensland Government has been delivering the National Red Imported Fire Ant Eradication Program in south east Queensland on behalf of the Australian and all state and territory governments. make a family picnic a thing of the past.nest under footpaths, foundations and verandahs, causing them to collapse.eat the young tender growth of a range of crops such as citrus, cucumber, eggplant and sweet potato plants, reducing production.eat reptile and ground nesting bird eggs.attack livestock and small animals, including pets.On average 14 million people are stung each year with 25,000 people requiring medical attention.Īttacks on immobile people in nursing homes have even resulted in deaths: strategies are in place for nursing homes and day care centers where the most vulnerable people are at risk of attack.Īs well as the human health issues there are also economic, environmental, infrastructure and agricultural issues. And what about a man who takes a nap on an ant hill and ends up in hospital in excruciating pain.Īt best the fire ant sting burns like you have been set on fire, and at worst you could have an allergic reaction that could threaten your life.Ī native of South America, RIFA is one of the world’s worst invasive ant species and is widespread across south east USA. Imagine putting your baby on a rug in the backyard and having its hands badly bitten. Red imported fire ants can be between 2-6 mm in size Below, we’ve highlighted a top-rated battery lawn mower, string trimmer, and leaf blower.The horrors of red imported fire ants – Australian Interstate Quarantine int(43)įor an insect that’s only 2-6mm long the red imported fire ant (RIFA) is the star of its own horror story. Of course, keeping your yard in good shape and appealing to ants (as well as for yourself) is easiest with the right gear. Wipe leaves clean to eliminate the food source for ants, and consider placing aphid-killing plant spikes in the soil of any houseplants. Aphids that feed on indoor plants excrete honeydew, too, which resembles white scale on leaves. Indoor houseplants, particularly tropical varieties, are very appealing to ants. That has the potential to drive them into your house in search of new sources of nutrients. “Ants feed on that honeydew, but if a landscaper or homeowner sprays outdoor plants for aphids, they’re also killing off an outdoor food source for ants.” “Aphids, which are little insects that live on plants, excrete honeydew, a sweet substance left on plants,” she says. To keep them outdoors, consider the food sources outside the house. Ants provide an important ecological function by aerating soil and providing a source of food for birds, according to Gangloff-Kaufmann.
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