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Scenic Rim - It has been reported by The Guardian that fire ants have been detected outside the current contentment section in the Scenic Rim of QLD.

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Brisbane - Currently infestations of red fire ants are found in south-east QLD, particularly around the greater Brisbane area including Ipswich, Logan and Redlands with the potential to spread.

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Isolated - Isolated infestations have been detected in Scenic Rim, Gold Coast and Lockyer Valley areas of QLD.

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Eradicated - The National Red Imported Fire Ant Eradication Program commenced in 2001, and has thus far eradicated red fire ants from Yarwun in QLD, and Port Botany in NSW.

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Control - Although the program has been in action for 17 years, the spread of red fire ants is still not under control.

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Spent - According to the Invasive Species Council, the state and federal governments have already spent $330 million on the program in 2016.

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Incursion - The Invasive Species Council revealed that during 2012-2016 there has been an average of one incursion per year of red fire ants into Australia.

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Defences - Invasive Species Council warns, "The fact fire ants continue to make it into Australia reveals major gaps in our defences against the arrival of new invasive species."

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Depart of Agriculture and Fisheries - In July 2017 the Queensland Government committed $411.4 million funding for the new era of fire ant eradication over the next 10 years.

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Action - The program will include actions of surveillance, treatment and containment.

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Surveillance - Air surveillance from 150 metres high with an infra red and thermal camera system can pinpoint fire ants nests over large areas while in flight.

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Odour detection dogs - Odour detection dogs can find nests by sniffing the trail pheromone left by foraging ants from up to 40m away.

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Field officers - Field officers formed emu parades over large properties and visually checked the ground - prodding piles of earth and tapping pot plants.

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Treatment - Established red fire ant nests are directly treated by qualified pest management technicians injecting the nest and tunnels with insecticide.

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Bait - Large areas can also be baited. Small pieces of corn are soaked with an insect growth regulator that leads to the sterilisation of the queen when eaten. Over a few weeks, the colony dies out.

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Least impact - Invasive Species Council advises, "The best method for destroying ant colonies is a bait that renders all queens infertile. This method has the least impact on other wildlife and the environment."

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Not harmful - Repeated bait treatment leads to the eradication in an area. And it is not harmful to humans, animals and the environment, unlike other methods of eradication.

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Containment - By establishing fire ant bio-security zones and movement controls for items that could carry them, containment can prevent fire ants from spreading further.

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Indiscriminate - Stuart Armitage of The Queensland Farmers’ Federation told The Guardian, "Fire ants attack indiscriminately, potentially destroying the way of life for many Queenslanders".

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No barbeques - “It may not be well understood, but if fire ants become permanently established, people in affected areas wouldn’t be able to enjoy our natural amenity or recreational areas. That means no camping, no barbecues on the lawn, no backyard cricket and no outside pets" said Armitage.

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Natural environment - He continues, "Vast areas of the state’s natural environment, including world heritage areas and national parks, are prone to fire ant invasion."

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Menace - Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries said, "Fire ants are a social menace because of their sting".

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On fire - They warn, "Stings from fire ants can cause a painful, burning itching sensation, which can last for up to an hour. Multiple stings give the sensation that the body is on fire."

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BBQs - This means wearing thongs outside might become a thing of the past in these areas due to the severity of red fire ant bites.

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Sting - Red fire ants may be small, but they do not act alone. Instead, many individuals strike at once to take down prey much larger than them with their venomous sting.

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Aggressive - Red fire ants are venomous omnivores, and extremely aggressive. They bite when their nest is threatened and to attack prey.

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Deaths - There have been 85 deaths from fire ant bites in the U.S. alone, according to news.com.au.

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Restrict - It may restrict the tourism industry and export trade with countries that are free of red fire ants.

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Report - It is encouraged by the National Red Imported Fire Ant Eradication Program to report any sightings of red fire ants.

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