Biosecurity Queensland today praised the quick actions of a Roma mining company whose staff promptly reported suspected fire ants in a box of equipment they had received from the USA.

Biosecurity Queensland Control Centre Director Neil O'Brien said the mining equipment had been shipped from Houston, Texas in the United States - an area significantly infested with fire ants.

"The ants were found at the base of the crate between a hard case and the wooden structure - they were immediately sprayed," Mr O'Brien said.

"I commend the company whose employees detected the fire ants and reported the suspect ants promptly to Biosecurity Queensland.

"This swift detection and reporting has significantly reduced the risk of any fire ants spreading from the contaminated box in Roma.

"It is important to recognise the vigilance of the company owners in promptly reporting the suspect ants to Biosecurity Queensland.

"This has hopefully enabled us to contain any further spread particularly as the equipment was due to be shipped to Perth.

Mr O'Brien said the ants were confirmed as Red Imported Fire Ants today, and they were delivered to Roma on Friday in a box of equipment.

"Biosecurity Queensland officers have already inspected the site in Roma and will send additional officers with a sniffer dog to the area. Preventative bait treatment will be undertaken and quarantine notices will be issued as necessary," Mr O'Brien said.

"Tracing investigations are already being undertaken at the site and on neighboring properties.

"An investigation has also been launched by Biosecurity Queensland into how fire ants managed to get to the property at Roma.

"The public are our eyes and ears on the ground - the sooner we receive reports about this dangerous and destructive pest, the sooner we can respond and the less likelihood they will spread."

Mr O'Brien is urging local residents in the region to report any suspect ants.

Fire ants are small, ranging from 2-6 mm, their heads and bodies are coppery-brown with darker abdomens, they are aggressive and will attack en masse, and their nests usually have no visible entry or exit holes.

For more information or to report suspect ants, contact Biosecurity Queensland 13 25 23 or visit www.biosecurity.qld.gov.au.

Media contact: Kirsten Phillips, +61 7 3405 6996