Aussie backyards invaded by ‘super pest’

Aussies are being warned that their trusty lawnmowers and other garden gear could be unwittingly harbouring invasive fire ants, as the relentless march of these pests continues across parts of the country.

Experts are now urging the federal government to ramp up spending to combat the escalating threat.

These “super pests” pose a catastrophic risk to our environment and are notorious for hitching a ride in gardening equipment laden with organic material.

It means your lawnmower, whipper snipper, and other outdoor tools could be playing host to a brand new fire ant colony.

Just last week, a Queensland resident in the Scenic Rim region discovered their mower was crawling with the fiery critters.

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Fire ants were found ‘chewing’ through a Queenslander’s lawnmower last week. Source: Facebook/National Fire Ant Eradication Program

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Authorities are now on high alert, urging everyone to do their part to prevent the spread of these invasive pests.

“Fire ants are champion stowaways, especially in organic material,” Reece Pianta from the Invasive Species Council (ISC) told Yahoo News.

“Grass clippings are prime real estate for fire ants to set up shop and potentially be transported to new locations.”

Fire ants: The omnivorous menace that even chews on electrical wires

Fire ants aren’t fussy eaters, and their rapid spread is fuelled by their ability to exploit any available food source once they’ve established a new territory.

“They’ll try to eat just about anything, including the coatings on electrical wires, joints, and rubber connectors,” Pianta explained.

“Any mechanical or electrical device used outdoors, especially in the garden, is at risk – and that includes motor vehicles.”

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Ensuring no organic clippings are left inside devices will help minimise the spread. Source: Facebook/National Fire Ant Eradication Program

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David Littleproud, the Leader of the Nationals and Shadow Minister for Agriculture, warned on Thursday the fire ant situation had sadly been allowed to get out of hand.

“This is something that I think every Australian should be worried about,” he told ABC Radio National, arguing it will prevent homeowners and residents from enjoying their backyards.

“These things will render your backyard useless. You won’t be able to go out into it until you’ve treated it,” he said.

“We actually, tragically had this contained to a very tight geographical area in southeast Queensland” he lamented, but Littleproud argued decisions by the previous state government around housing developments and the movement of dirt allowed the species to spread.

“They allowed dirt to be moved from one part of southeast Queensland to the other, and it just exploded,” he said.

What you can do

Inspect your equipment

Regularly check your lawnmower, whipper snipper, and other garden tools for signs of fire ants, particularly in areas where grass clippings and other organic material accumulate.

Clean thoroughly

Before moving equipment to a new location, give it a thorough clean to remove any potential stowaways.

Report sightings

If you suspect you’ve found fire ants, report it immediately to your local authorities.