Red Imported Fire Ant – Solenopsis invicta

The Red Imported Fire Ant (RIFA) pose a serious threat to the environment and has had significant environmental, health, and economic impact is ours and other countries.

As the name suggests, they are an imported ant and are natives of South America, particularly Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Argentina. However, they are capable of surviving in most climates around the world. They were first detected in Australia, in Brisbane, on the 22nd of February, 2001.

In Australia, unlike other countries, we were able to detect them before they got to a plague-like situation. As such, we have been able to attempt an eradication process to help control their migration. Brisbane is also the main epicentre for this eradication plan.

While most states have had no infestations at all, there have been some in NSW (Port Botany) and WA (Fremantle) that have been eradicated.

RIFA are a highly mobile pest that can fly up to 5km at a time and can “hitchhike” on trucks, etc. They are also highly mobile in exported soils (from the Brisbane area to interstate).

Because of this reason, we need to ensure that we have the correct identification of them, as they can look like other red/brown ants.
The most obvious sign of RIFA is their aggressive nature, as they are some of the most aggressive when their nests are disturbed.

The most common and easiest way to identify RIFA.

• 2-8mm reddish brown colour with a darker body.
• Ants will be of varying sizes, as opposed to other ants, which are more uniform in size.
• Nests usually have no visible entry holes like other ants.
• Nest will look like a soil mound.
• VERY AGGRESSIVE. will swarm if nest is provoked

If you suspect a fire ant infestation, report them here.

https://ants.daf.qld.gov.au/table-of-contents/report-fire-ants/