Red Imported Fire Ants (RIFA) are more than just a backyard pest—they’re a serious threat to vehicles, property, and public safety. For dealers, repairers and fleet operators, fire ant infestations pose a hidden but growing risk that could impact customers, stock, and workshop operations.
This guide will help you and your team identify, prevent, and manage fire ant activity in vehicles—especially in high-risk regions of Australia.
Why Fire Ants Are a Vehicle Risk
Red imported fire ants are highly invasive. They’re attracted to warmth, vibration, and electrical fields—making modern vehicles an ideal hiding spot. Infestations can:
- Damage wiring and insulation
- Cause short circuits or electrical faults
- Trigger painful stings to drivers or passengers
- Spread ants to new locations, breaching biosecurity laws
Fire Ants have been found in vehicles in the United States, and more recently, in Australia, particularly southeast Queensland, where fire ant activity is monitored by multiple government authorities. Two new sites found in NSW 2025, were determined to have come from the transportation of contaminated material from one site to another.
Talk to your Customers
- Talk to customers about where they have been driving and parking.
- Be aware of any biosecurity suppression zones that might affect your dealership.
- Offer a visual inspection for fire ant activity
- Have safe and effective treatments available for customers to either purchase or to offer as a service.
- RoadBlock - Spider and Ant Automotive Treatment works as both a treatment as well as a preventative solution.
- Talk to customers about the risks and legal responsibilities of reporting fire ant activity under the Biosecurity Act 2014.
- Help customers understand practical things they can do to prevent spiders, cockroaches and ants (including fire ants) entering their vehicles. Some tips are listed in this guide below.
How to Check for Fire Ants in Vehicles
If you're servicing or inspecting vehicles—especially those parked outdoors or coming from rural or regional high risk areas —include a quick fire ant check in your routine:
1. Visual Inspection
- Under the bonnet: Battery housing, corners, and insulation.
- Wheel arches & chassis: Ants love warm, hidden cavities.
- Interior cabin: Under seats, floor mats, boot linings.
- Air vents & ducts: Especially if the car hasn’t been driven in a while.
2. Look for Warning Signs
- Loose soil or fine mounds inside or around the vehicle.
- Unexplained swarms or trails of ants.
- Reports of bites or stings while driving.
- Strange electrical faults from chewed wiring.
- If a vehicle has transported soil, potted plants, or landscaping supplies, treat it as high risk.
How to Prevent Fire Ant Infestations
- Park on hard surfaces - Avoid grass or exposed soil. Park vehicles on sealed surfaces (concrete or bitumen) whenever possible.
- Keep vehicles clean - Food scraps or sugary drink spills attract ants. Vacuum interiors and wipe down surfaces—especially in demo cars or loan vehicles.
- Avoid transportation of potentially contaminated materials - such as soil, potted plants, or landscaping supplies.
How to use RoadBlock
Roadblock - Spider and Ant Automotive Treatment works to instantly treat ant infestations in all automotive situations. It also also works as a barrier treatment to prevent further activity for up to 3 months.
Apply RoadBlock in the following areas according to product instructions:
- Around door seals and wheel arches
- Under boot linings
- Inside engine bays
- Beneath floor mats and interior trim edges
- Behind side mirrors and under wipers
A 350g can of RoadBlock will treat a typical car with more product to spare. We would recommend leaving the remaining product with customers so they can continue to top up their vehicles after their service.
Further questions?
If customers have questions about the product, refer them to the FAQ page on the Autonomy Co website.