Aerial treatment targeting fire ants on some of Logan’s largest properties will be dropped by drone or helicopter over the next two months, as reports of sightings and bites grow.
Meanwhile, residents on smaller properties can register to receive free fire ant bait from the Queensland government.
About $24 million will be spent to enable owners of properties 10ha or greater that are infested with fire ants to be treated by drone or helicopter at no cost to the landholder.
Without it, owners of hard-to-access properties are struggling or unable to administer treatment, compromising national eradication efforts.
It is hoped this treatment reduces ant density in hard-to-treat colonies by as much as 80%.
The latest predictions, made by the Australia Institute in April this year, suggest around five Logan residents could die every decade from fire ant bites if eradication efforts fail.
The Institute also warns of a $23 million slug to local households every year, with fire ant havoc causing a combined $5 million in medical costs, $4 million in veterinary bills, and $1.3 million in pesticides if we fail to eliminate the invasive pests.
A spokesperson from the Fire Ant Suppression Taskforce (FAST) said aerial suppression treatment had already begun.
Until November, it will be targeting selected properties across Cedar Grove, Cedar Vale, Gleneagle, Tamborine, Undullah, Veresdale, Veresdale Scrub and Woodhill.
The Queensland government says the aerial treatment will then hit Eagleby and other properties part of the Logan and Albert rivers catchments.
By mid-2026, 106,000 hectares in the areas with the highest fire ant numbers will have been treated twice by helicopter or drone, according to the government.
“Helicopters and drones are being used to evenly distribute a safe granular treatment product across areas with high fire ant densities,” the FAST spokesperson said.
“Properties eligible for aerial suppression treatment are larger than 10 hectares, with landholders opting in as part of their fire ant self-management plans and committing to treat surrounding buffer areas with additional product supplied by FAST.
“This initiative supports the National Fire Ant Eradication Program’s goal to eradicate fire ants from Australia by 2032.”
Landholders can register their interest by reporting fire ants on their properties online or by calling 132 ANT (13 22 68).
FAST will then confirm eligibility, assess the nests, discuss a farm self-management plan, and consider aerial suppression treatment as an option.
