Firil ants appeared in Queensland, Australia for the first time.
What happens?
ABC Capricornia reported that fire ants were detected on a mine site in Central Queensland. The National Fire Ant Eradication Program confirmed the discovery and officers of the program quickly destroyed the nests on the site.
The invasive species council warned that a considerable amount of Australia was at risk for fire brigade plague if the Fire Ant program of the country was not quickly revised.
Jack Gough, Chief Executive of the Council, said ABC Capricornia: “It reflects something that we have told governments for two years, would happen … … The whole of Australia runs the risk of fire ants and the costs are considerable and devastating.”
Gough noted that the spread of fire ants throughout the country could have an economic impact of $ 2 billion. He also estimated that suppressing the fire ants would require around $ 24 million.
Why are invasive species concerning?
Invasive species are for various reasons.
In this case, the spread of fire ants in Australia can cause environmental and economic damage. The ants are also a significant health risk for the inhabitants of the country and can damage cattle and indigenous animals.
Invasive species often spread quickly. While they do that, they destroy indigenous species by processing them for food and introducing them and new diseases. Because these fire ants also have a painful sting and tend to be aggressive, they can not only harm indigenous types of, but also people and pets.
Protecting and prioritizing indigenous species while working on eradicating invasive species can ensure the preservation of natural resources, protecting food supplies, preventing the disease from spreading and keeping communities safe.
What is being done about the fire ants in Australia?
The mine where officials discovered that the fire ants will continue to work with the National Fire Ant Eradication Program, which uses genetic tracing and tests to determine how these invasive species have arrived at the mine.
In the meantime, extermination efforts in the area will continue, together with increased surveillance to ensure that civil servants can detect and eliminate further fire ants.
The director of the program, Michael Homben, explained to ABC Capricornia: “This detection is a strong memory that can stop community and vigilance in industry the spread of fire ants.”
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