Just as it seemed that things could not get much worse for householders and travellers affected by floods in Queensland and northern NSW, a new threat has emerged from aggressive fire ants floating south to affect new areas with their painful presence.
During floods, the invasive ants form rafts by linking their legs together, allowing them to float and survive in floodwaters, and even travel long distances to find new, dry land to establish colonies on farmland and areas such as municipal facilities, playgrounds, sports grounds and camping and recreational areas used by adventure travellers.
Sixty people in Queensland alone have reported extreme reactions to fire ant stings requiring medical attention this month, with 23 people hospitalised in south-east Queensland as the pests move south to take a toll on parents, children, pets, livestock, and farmers' bottom lines. Residents in affected areas are now pleading for more help.
Read more in this comprehensive article published by ABC News on 22 March 2025
https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2025-03-22/fire-ant-treatment-service-bites-attacks-invasive-species/105082576