Fire Ants Spread Across Queensland via Cyclone Alfred's Floodwaters

The invasive pests are using rafting to survive flooding, raising fears of broader infestations in Australia.

Floodwaters from ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred have carried fire ants across southeast Queensland, with colonies forming rafts to survive and travel downstream.
Experts warn that the rafting behavior could lead to the spread of fire ants into previously unaffected areas, including potentially across state borders.
Fire ants, an invasive species native to South America, pose significant risks to native wildlife, agriculture, and public health, with stings causing severe allergic reactions in some cases.
The National Fire Ant Eradication Program has recorded a surge in reports of fire ants following the floods, urging residents to check for new infestations and report them promptly.
Advocacy groups are calling for increased funding and urgent action to contain fire ant populations, warning that failure to act could lead to nationwide infestations with severe economic and ecological consequences.