A new Biosecurity (Fire Ant) Emergency Order (No. 2) 2025, released in February by the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development is aiming to mitigate the biosecurity risks posed by the introduction, presence, or spread of fire ants within NSW.
The emergency order applies to all individuals involved in the controlled movement of fire ant carriers into NSW.
Potential fire ant carriers include a large range of vehicles such as earthmoving equipment, vehicles carrying green waste, building waste, mulch, soils, compost, manure, hay, chaff, silage, turf, plants, earth materials, and anything that a fire ant could have hitched a ride with.
Key Updates
New updates to the emergency order, which replaces the previous order from January, include:
Extension of biosecurity emergency: The emergency status has been prolonged for an additional six months to address ongoing risks and facilitate continued prevention, surveillance, and investigation efforts.
Turf movement suspension: A temporary suspension on turf movements from QLD fire ant infested areas into NSW remains active following an incident in November 2024 where infested turf was intercepted in Clunes, near Byron Bay.
Addition of new carriers: In November 2024, the order expanded to include new fire ant carriers such as excavated plants and stumps, packaging materials, recycled concrete aggregate, building waste, green waste, and heavy vehicles. Some of these have updated definitions in the new order.
New obligations for controlled movements: Individuals planning to move fire ant carriers from the defined infested or control areas into the NSW Protection Zone must adhere to specific measures outlined. These include premises inspection, treatment protocols, and obtaining appropriate biosecurity certifications.
Treating all these potential spreaders is a huge task, and Autonomy has part of the solution with its RoadBlock - Spider & Ant Automotive Treatment.
What is RoadBlock - Spider & Ant Automotive Treatment?
- RoadBlock is a ready to use, commercial grade aerosol pest control product specifically designed to treat and prevent ants (including Fire Ants), spiders and cockroaches in vehicles including cars, trucks, recreational vehicles, campers, 4WDs, fleets and heavy vehicles and agricultural machinery.
- It has an easy to use with a long straw nozzle applicator that ensures the product is directed precisely to problem areas - including mirrors, wheel arches and grilles, weather covers, water storages, battery bays and any warm spaces that appeal to insects.
- RoadBlock is an Australian owned and Australian made product.
See the emergency order for full details, and visit our website to see how RoadBlock can help stop the spread of Fire Ants.
Amanda @ Autonomy