Fire Ant Rafting Behaviour Raises Alarms as Queensland Wet Season Begins

Experts are urging caution as Queensland's wet season ramps up, with fears that unique rafting behaviour could assist the spread of fire ants across waterways. According to the National Fire Ant Eradication Program (NFAEP), eradication efforts remain on track, but officials are warning residents to maintain a safe distance if they discover an ant nest or raft.

Threat of Rafting Behaviour

Invasive fire ants have infested approximately 850,000 hectares across south-east Queensland and northern New South Wales in recent years. With the wet season approaching, NFAEP general manager of operations Marni Manning stated that heavy rains and swollen waterways can cause the ants to join together in a survival raft configuration.

• Colony Protection: The raft helps share oxygen, protect the queen and young, and move to a safer location.
• Multiple Queens: Griffith University PhD candidate Cassidy Winter noted that fire ant colonies frequently feature multiple queens, making it easy for rafting colonies to split off and form new infestations.
• Increased Toxicity: Ms Manning described the raft as a "last resort" state where the colony enters survival mode, resulting in increased toxicity and heightened danger when interacting with nests in water or along riverbanks.

Eradication and Community Response

Ms Manning emphasized that children, older people, and animals are particularly vulnerable to fire ant attacks. While officials reported that containment efforts are holding steady, they urged the public to remain vigilant, avoid disturbing nests or rafts, and report sightings to support ongoing biosecurity measures. The NFAEP biosecurity zone covers areas including Brisbane, Logan, Ipswich, the Sunshine Coast, and parts of northern New South Wales.