What is Queensland's fire ant biosecurity zone?

Queensland's fire ant biosecurity zone is a declared area under the Biosecurity Act 2014 (Qld) established to contain and eradicate Solenopsis invicta — the red imported fire ant — before it can permanently establish across Australia. The zone is managed by Biosecurity Queensland and covers a significant and expanding area of South East Queensland.

As of 2026, the declared zone includes all of:

• Ipswich City
• Logan City
• Redland City
• Scenic Rim Regional Council
• Parts of Brisbane City, Gold Coast, Lockyer Valley, Somerset, and Moreton Bay

The zone boundaries are regularly updated as the program progresses. You can check whether your specific suburb is within the zone at fireants.org.au. If you are unsure, assume you are in the zone and report any suspected nest immediately.

The General Biosecurity Obligation explained

The Biosecurity Act 2014 (Qld) imposes a General Biosecurity Obligation (GBO) on every person — including homeowners, renters, and businesses — who deals with a biosecurity matter. Under the GBO, you are required to take all reasonable and practical steps to prevent or minimise the biosecurity risk.

For fire ants on your property, this means:

How to report a fire ant nest in Queensland

Reporting takes only a few minutes. Before you do, do not disturb the nest — keep people and pets away from the area and mark the location if safe to do so.

• Call 13 25 23 — the Fire Ant Contact Centre

  Available business hours. Officers will take your details, confirm the location, and classify the report. For argent situations involving risk to people or livestock, let them know and they can escalate the response.

• Report online at fireants.org.au

  The online portal allows you to submit photos, a map pin, and a description of what you have found. This is the recommended method for non-urgent reports and means the information is logged directly into the system.

• Provide accurate location details

  The more precise your location information, the faster officers can attend. Include your street address, the location of the nest within the property (e.g., rear lawn, near the garden shed), and the approximate size of the mound if you can observe it safely from a distance.

• Take a photo if safe to do so

  A clear photo from a safe distance helps Biosecurity Queensland officers assess whether the mound is likely to be fire ants before attending. Do not crouch close to the mound for the photo — fire ants respond aggressively to vibration near the nest.

Movement controls for soil and garden materials

One of the most critical biosecurity rules in the fire ant zone concerns the movement of soil, mulch, turf, potted plants, and earth-moving equipment. Fire ants can nest in these materials and be transported to new areas during garden landscaping, construction, or plant sales.

Within the fire ant biosecurity zone, the following materials require care before movement:

• Topsoil and fill: Must be sourced from a declared pest-free supplier or inspected before use. Unverified soil from unknown sources is a major fire ant spread risk.
• Turf: All turf sold or moved within the zone must comply with movement controls and may require inspection certificates from certified turf farms.
• Mulch and compost: Movement of garden mulch or green waste from potentially infested areas can carry fire ant eggs and queens. Do not use mulch from unknown sources in the zone.
• Potted plants: Plants in soil containers can harbour fire ant colonies and queens. Inspect the soil of potted plants before moving or purchasing them in the zone area.
• Earth-moving machinery: Excavators, bobcats, and similar equipment that have worked in potentially infested areas should be inspected and cleaned before moving to a new site. Mud and soil in the tracks and undercarriage may carry fire ants.

What happens after you report?

Once you submit your report, a Biosecurity Queensland officer will review it and classify the likelihood based on your description and photos. If fire ant activity is suspected, an officer will attend your property to confirm the identification.

If fire ants are confirmed:

• The nest is treated by government officers at no cost to you as part of the state eradication program
• Treatment typically involves Fipronil direct nest injection, granular bait application, or the Two-Step bait program depending on your location within the zone
• A follow-up inspection may be scheduled to confirm eradication
• You may be placed on a monitoring program for your address

Response times vary based on program activity in your area. In high-priority zones close to known infestations, response can be within one to three business days. In outer areas, it may take longer. If you cannot wait because of risk to children, tenants, or livestock, contact Jets Pest Control — we are accredited to treat fire ant nests using the same approved methods while you await government follow-up.

Penalties for non-compliance

Queensland's fire ant biosecurity obligations carry real penalties. These are not theoretical — Biosecurity Queensland has enforcement officers with the authority to inspect properties, issue directions, and pursue penalty infringement notices.

• Failure to report: Up to $10,000 penalty for individuals who fail to report a suspected fire ant nest in the declared zone as soon as reasonably practicable
• Non-compliant soil or material movement: Up to $10,000 for moving soil, turf, or other restricted materials from an infested area without required inspection or declaration
• Failure to comply with a direction: Separate offence from the underlying GBO breach — officers can issue formal directions and non-compliance is an additional penalty
• Deliberate spread: Intentionally spreading fire ants is treated as a serious biosecurity offence with significantly higher penalties

When professional pest management is needed

In most cases, reporting to Biosecurity Queensland and awaiting government treatment is the correct first step. However, there are situations where engaging a licensed, accredited pest manager like Jets Pest Control is appropriate or necessary:

• Urgent risk situations: If the nest poses an immediate risk to children, elderly residents, or people with known anaphylaxis risk to insect stings, or if livestock or pets are at risk, a licensed pest manager can attend and treat the nest urgently using APVMA-registered products
• Multiple or large infestations: Properties with multiple confirmed fire ant mounds or a large-scale infestation may benefit from professional property-wide bait treatment in addition to government spot treatment
• Property sales and compliance certificates: Some property transactions within the fire ant zone may require a property compliance statement or inspection from an accredited professional
• Commercial properties and rental properties: Landlords and commercial property managers may have duty of care obligations that require prompt professional treatment regardless of government response times