For the latest information on this issue please refer to the DPI's red fire ant information page. 

UPDATE FROM NSW DPI issued 15 January 2015:

The Department of Primary Industries (DPI) is continuing to closely monitor a detection of red imported fire ants at a port facility at Port Botany, Sydney.

The next round of targeted prophylactic baiting is being carried out this week across more than 100 hectares of land around the detection site to ensure any stray ants are baited and eradicated.

Following the baiting activity, the Local Control Centre will stand down, however the Department will continue to work with Local Land Services to monitor the situation, investigate any reports of suspect ants and conduct further rounds of baiting. A Local Control Centre will be reopened over winter to resource another extensive residential and port surveillance campaign later this year.

While it appears that the detection is isolated to the one site, it is crucial that people remain vigilant and report any suspicious ants to the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 081.

The control area remains in place that defines the high risk area and the control order also remains in place to restrict the movement of high-risk materials that could contain red imported fire ants, such as soil, bark, grass, hay, manure, organic plant mulch, straw, turf or wood chip.

Residents in Randwick City are asked to check their properties for any signs of red imported fire ants and report immediately to the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881.

Inspectors from NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI), NSW Police Force, Rural Fire Service and NSW State Emergency Service will be inspecting front and rear yards of randomly selected properties on Saturday 20 December 2014 in the Port Botany area. View the DPI's media release. 

Randwick City Council and the DPI are asking residents to be vigilant following the confirmed sighting of imported red fire ants during routine surveillance at a port facility in Port Botany last week.

Eradication is underway and all known nests have now been treated with baiting and direct soil injection.

The site remains quarantined and DPI is working closely with port operators and the Commonwealth Department of Agriculture to determine the extent of the detection.

While it currently appears the ants are localised to the initial detection site, DPI is conducting extensive surveillance of all suitable habitat within a two kilometre radius of the detection.

This surveillance includes, but is not limited to, inspection of port facilities, beaches, playgrounds, golf course, cemeteries and more than 2000 residential homes in the area.

Red imported fire ants are a serious exotic pest that can inflict painful bites and stings on people, pets and livestock. Red imported fire ants pose a serious social, economic and environment threat.

Red imported fire ants are small, reddish-brown in colour with a darker abdomen and if disturbed they may become aggressive and swarm.

If anyone suspects the presence of red imported fire ants contact the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881.

The pest has been made notifiable under the Plant Diseases Act 1924. This means that people have a legal obligation to report suspected red fire ant infestations as soon as possible.

Red fire ants are small (2-6mm), reddish-brown in colour with a darker abdomen and if disturbed they may become aggressive and swarm.

The red imported fire ant is native to South American countries of Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and Argentina.

Red fire ants Frequently Asked Questions

More information can be found on the Department of Primary Industries website:
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/pests-weeds/insects/fire-ants