Help look for the world's worst ants!
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) has been on the hunt for invasive ants, with surveillance ramping up following the detection of red imported fire ant (RIFA) on two adjoining properties at Fremantle Port last November.
This was a first time RIFA had been detected in Western Australia.
Invasive ants that are exotic to Australia, such as RIFA, browsing ant, yellow crazy ant, electric ant and tropical fire ant, are amongst the most serious global pests.
If introduced, they can spread quickly to dominate new environments, with catastrophic impacts on native plants and animals, agriculture and human health and lifestyle, as well as causing structural damage.
We need your help to look for these serious pests.
While the department’s ant surveillance efforts have been concentrated, input from the broader community is critical to enhancing and extending our surveillance activities.
Early detection of invasive ant incursions means the department can act quickly to prevent further spread, eradicate the incursion and prevent these ants from gaining a permanent foothold in WA.
RIFA was discovered by the department during surveillance for browsing ant, as part of our participation in the National Browsing Ant Eradication Program.
RIFA is also the target of a national eradication program – demonstrating the serious threat that invasive ants pose.
There have been no further detections of RIFA in WA, but surveillance and baiting will continue until the end of 2021 to be sure the State is RIFA-free.
A Quarantine Area within a two kilometre radius of the Fremantle detection remains in place.
The first round of RIFA surveillance and baiting has been completed, however, DPIRD warns that continued vigilance in Fremantle is vital.
Reports of new or suspicious ant activity should be made via the department’s MyPestGuide Reporter app, via the website mypestguide.agric.wa.gov.au or by contacting the department’s Pest and Disease Information Service at padis@dpird.wa.gov.au or (08) 9368 3080.
RIFA eradication program in WA
The department’s first round of RIFA surveillance was carried out on 589 randomly selected private premises in the Fremantle Quarantine Area, as well as 200 additional non-residential premises located inside and outside of the designated 2km zone.
This included all premises at the Fremantle Port, premises that had been in receipt of host material from Fremantle Port and other high risk areas.
Baiting was carried out across a 500m radius from the two premises where RIFA was detected.
Surveillance resulted in the collection of more than 2000 ant samples.
Samples are also being collected from additional surveillance activities the department is undertaking as part of the National Browsing Ant Eradication Program.
While no further RIFA have been detected, browsing ant has been detected at three locations in Perth.
Browsing ant has previously been detected in WA, at Kewdale, Belmont and Perth airport, but the incursions were successfully eradicated.
The additional detections have proven the value of ongoing surveillance and the importance of Western Australians being watchful and reporting any new or suspicious ant activity to DPIRD.
DPIRD will be carrying out another five rounds of RIFA surveillance and baiting.
These will take place in April, September and December this year and during April and September 2021.
Surveillance will include the use of detector dogs from Queensland, with assistance from the National Red Imported Fire Ant Eradication Program.
What is the difference between native ants and invasive ants?
Native ants are considered ‘nature’s broom,’ cleaning up our environment, helping pollination, aerating our lawns and providing food for other lifeforms.
However, unwanted ants can threaten the balance of the ecosystem, ruin farmers’ crops, as well inflict a nasty sting or bite on humans, pets and livestock.
RIFA are aggressive and can inflict a painful, fiery sting, which in rare cases can cause an acute allergic reaction.
They form super colonies that can spread quickly, impacting on the environment, the economy and our way of life.
RIFA dominate new environments, preying on both invertebrates and vertebrates with their venomous sting and swarm in large numbers that can overwhelm and kill prey much larger than themselves.
If introduced, they could make outdoor areas unusable, as well as cause structural damage to irrigation and electrical equipment.
Check out more information on RIFA and other invasive ants. Participate in our Ant Blitz!
To continue the focus on invasive ants, the department commenced a six-week intensive surveillance campaign at the start of Autumn to provide Western Australians with the opportunity to help us look for invasive ants.
The goal of the Autumn Ant Blitz is to get the public to collect and send in as many ant reports and samples as possible, to enhance our current surveillance activities, and determine what ants are present within our communities.
The Autumn Ant Blitz also provides a chance for the public to learn about ants, including which ants are our friends, and which ants they should be on the lookout for.
We want everyone to get up close and personal with the ants in their neighbourhoods, as being aware of the ants around you will make it easier to spot an intruder.
The Autumn Ant Blitz ends on 2 April 2020, however, this does not mean you should stop looking.
Having knowledge of invasive pests such as ants, being observant at all times and knowing how to report anything suspicious will play an important role in protecting WA from serious pest and disease incursions.
Sampling instructions
DPIRD’ Pest and Disease Information Service prefers to receive ant specimen samples rather than photos, as images make identification difficult. To collect and send in a sample:
- brush ants into a sealed container or zip lock bag and place in the freezer for 1 hour
- label container with the collection location (eg. backyard, kitchen, bathroom, driveway etc.), your name, contact number, email address and postal address
- deliver or post to Ant Blitz, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Pest and Disease Information Service, 3 Baron-Hay Court, South Perth WA 6151.
If a photo is your only option, refer to the department’s instructions on how to take photos with a smartphone.
For more information, contact Jodie Gysen, communications adviser, South Perth, +61 (0)8 9368 3194