Bites from pest 'worse than cane toads' make you feel 'on fire' - and they are spreading in Queensland
More fire ants have been found in Queensland as the invasive species spread across the state.
Two nests were discovered by a resident in Kleinton near Toowoomba, the National Fire Ant Eradication Program confirmed to 9News.
The nests were destroyed by Ant Eradication officers who are now following up with treatment and surveillance of over 250 properties in the area.
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Fire ant stings can be extremely painful, with some reporting a burning sensation after being bit. NSW Department of Primary Industries
The South American ants are attracted to soil and are mostly transported through construction efforts, according to the National Fire Ant Eradication Program.
"Fire ants are attracted to disturbed soil and are often transported through the human-assisted movement of organic materials including soil, hay, mulch, manure, quarry products, potted plants and turf," a spokesperson for the National Fire Ant Eradication Program said.
"Fire ant nests appear as mounds or patches of loose soil and have no obvious entry or exit holes."
Fire ants were first found in Australia at the Port of Brisbane in 2011. Since then, they have spread to Ipswich, the Gold Coast, Scenic Rim and Lockyer Valley areas.
The insects have the capacity to spread across all of mainland Australia and most of Tasmania if left unchecked.
The species is extremely aggressive, and attack in large numbers if their nests are tampered with.
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Fire ants are a copper-brown colour with a darker-toned abdomen. They are 2-6mm long and can vary in size.
Stings cause a painful, itching sensation. Someone with multiple stings may feel as though their body is on fire.
Hours after being stung, small pustules develop which may become itchy and infected.
In some cases, it can cause severe and potentially deadly allergic reactions.
They can prove disruptive or deadly to insects, spiders, lizards, frogs, birds and mammals.
The National Fire Ant Eradication Project warns that fire ants have the potential to surpass feral cats, dogs, foxes, camels, rabbits and cane toads combined when it comes to pest damage.
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