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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Daisy Dumas

Experts say discovery of fire ants in Murray Darling Basin should be ‘ringing alarm bells’

fire ants
‘We are prioritising eradication activities in Oakey’, says a National Fire Ant Eradication Program spokesperson. Photograph: Jono Searle/AAP

Fire ants have reached the Murray Darling Basin, with experts warning the latest detection of the rafting super pest should be “ringing alarm bells” at the highest levels of government.

The extremely invasive insect was discovered west of the Great Dividing Range in Oakey, Queensland, 120km from Brisbane, on Tuesday. A team from the National Fire Ant Eradication Program was at the site by Wednesday morning, with emergency measures put in place by Thursday.

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