FIRE ants are on the move after the floods with the discovery of 250 fire ant nests on Mount Juillerat Drive in Redbank Plains.

The discovery prompted a warning from Ipswich City Council.

Council’s Environment and Sustainability Committee Chairman Russell Milligan urged residents to check their yards and properties for fire ants, and report any sightings through fireants.org.au or call 13 25 23.

“Ipswich is in a Biosecurity zone with many known outbreak areas, but with the recent flooding it is likely fire ants have used the floodwater to ‘raft’ and colonise new areas,” Cr Milligan said.

“Fire ants are a dangerous, imported pest that can severely damage the environment, our outdoor lifestyle and the agriculture and tourism industries.

“They inflict a painful, fiery sting, which in rare cases can cause a severe allergic reaction.”

Division 1 Councillor Jacob Madsen said a community member recently reported the fire ant nests found along the road reserve on Mount Juillerat Drive.

“As it was public land it was reported to both council and the National Fire Ant Eradication Program,” Cr Madsen said.

“Thanks to the report and fast response this infestation can now be treated. It will take a whole-of-

community response like this for us to stay on top of fire ants in Ipswich.”

Other Division 1 Councillor Sheila Ireland said it was important for families to be vigilant as fire ant nests were usually found in open areas such as lawns and along roadsides, as well as pastures and unused cropland.

“Nests often appear as dome-shaped mounds that can be up to 40cm high or may be flat and look like a small patch of disturbed soil,” Cr Ireland said.

“The nests become more visible after rain because the fire ants build their nests higher in the wet.”

A free 15-minute online training course for residents has recently launched at www.fireants.org.au/training-and-tools/fire-ant-training.