Fire ants
The Red Imported Fire Ant, Solenopsis invicta, is a serious new pest which has been detected in Queensland, Australia. They inflict a painful sting and if not eradicated will seriously affect our lifestyle. They are the greatest ecological threat to Australia since the introduction of the rabbit and are potentially worse than the cane toad. Fire ants threaten our environment, human health, agriculture and our lifestyle.
A visit to the fire ants
web site 
highlights the risk posed by this species and the huge amount of resources
that are being employed to combat the problem (see the National Fire Ant
Management Plan below).
Modelling the possible extent of the problem
Potential distribution of fire ants based on climate modelling by CSIRO
is shown below.
The modelling suggest fire ants have the potential to inhabit most of the major coastal cities of Australia, and extensive areas of the tropical north. The larger red dots represent increased probability of occurrence.
The National Fire Ant Eradication Program
A national program has been set up to eradicate Red Imported Fire Ants from Australia. The program is funded by all States and the Commonwealth Government. Queensland Department of Primary Industries (DP) is undertaking the treatment of fire ants.
The five-year $123 million National Fire Ant Eradication Program began in the Brisbane and Ipswich regions in September 2001. Over a three year period the DPI will treat every property in the fire ant infested area - around 70,000 homes - four times each year.
The eradication program also involves surveillance outside the infested areas to ensure the fire ants have not spread and to detect any new nests. Some young nests may not be visible for up to six months. Surveillance will mean inspection of 100 percent of the land in a buffer zone around the treatment area.