Weeds, pest animals & ants > Invasive ants > Fire ants > Fire ant gallery

Fire ant gallery

To report suspect ants please complete the online form or contact the DPI&F on 13 25 23

Please click on the image or caption to open a larger photo in a new window

Red imported fire ants

Fire ant comparison Fire ants compared with common native ants of Australia.
Fire ant stinging
Fire ants grip onto their victim with their mandibles and pierce the skin with the stinger on the end of their abdomen to inject their venom.
Fire ant size range
Fire ants range in size from 2 to 6 mm. A range of worker ants is shown along with a queen.
Fire ants on a pen
Fire ants are small and vary in size as shown compared to a pen
Fire ant worker
Fire ant workers have coppery-brown heads and bodies, with a darker abdomen.
Fire ant size comparison
Fire ant size compared to a dollar coin.

Fire ant nests

Fire ant nest Nests have no visible entry or exit holes.
Fire ant nest near a footpath Fire ant nest near a footpath.
Nest under refuse
Fire ant nest under refuse.
Nest in pot plant Fire ants can be transported in high risk materials such as pot plants. The pot plant on the left has a fire ants nest in it.
Nest near electrical system
Nests near electrical systems can cause serious damage and start fires.

Fire ant impacts

Social impacts

Fire ants have the potential to impact on all of our outdoor activities. When fire ants attack, small blisters or pustules form at the site of each sting after several hours.
Environmental impacts Fire ants readily attack wildlife. Here a herron chick is attacked and killed by fire ants
Agricultural impacts Fire ants have the potential to cause considerable damage and financial loss to the agricultural industry
Pastural impacts Health of livestock can be impeded by fire ants stinging moist areas such as eyes, nostrils and mouth of grazing animals. This image shows a calf's eyeball which has been blinded as a result of fire ant stings

Fire ant operations

Surveillance Surveillance is conducted on properties to ensure there hasn't been a further spread of fire ants
Diagnostics All suspicious ants are identified under the microscope
Treatment - hand held spreader Field officers treat residential areas by spreading bait with a hand held spreader
Treatment - Bait shaker Field staff member dispersing fire ant bait treatment with a bait shaker
Treatment - ATV Large areas are treated by use of All Terrain Vehicles
Treatment - Aerial Areas of land where terrain is rough or too large for ATV treatment are treated aerially
Treatment - Nest injection Fire ant nests are treated with a direct injection of chemicals
Fire ant detection dog
Aker can pick up the scent of fire ants and find their nest.

Community engagement

Fire ant awareness Fire ant displays are set up at community events to promote awareness
Feisty the fire ant Feisty makes an appearance to promote awareness of fire ants

Author: Jenny Bibo
Page maintained by Christine Windle
Last updated 12 January 2009
URL: http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/cps/rde/xchg/dpi/hs.xsl/cps/rde/dpi/hs.xsl/4790_4549_ENA_HTML.htm

© The State of Queensland, Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries 1995 - 2009.
Copyright protects this material. Except as permitted by the Copyright Act, reproduction by any means (photocopying, electronic, mechanical, recording or otherwise), making available online, electronic transmission or other publication of this material is prohibited without the prior written permission of The Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Queensland. Inquiries should be addressed to copyright@dpi.qld.gov.au (Queensland residents phone 13 25 23; non-Queensland residents phone 61 7 3404 6999).