MyCity Logan reporter Resa Zekants-Griffin was collecting her child from school when she was bitten by fire ants, prompting this investigation. Unaware, the very small ants crawled up her shoe and started to attack, administering painful burning bites to her ankle and leg. After 24 hours, the area became itchy and inflamed and then white pus-filled blisters appeared. OUCH!
Ovals, playgrounds and pathways across Logan schools are infested with fire ants – but the State Government is refusing to tell parents which schools are affected.
Are our kids at risk?
A spokesperson from the National Fire Ant Eradication Program (NFAEP) said, “several schools across Logan are managing fire ant nests on their grounds.”
“Some schools have temporarily closed ovals while treatment takes effect.”
MyCity Logan asked the Department of Education which schools in Logan had reported fire ants and received this response:
“Schools are considered high-priority sites and, if an infestation is identified, the NFAEP will treat the infestations on school grounds,” a spokesperson for the Department of Education said.
“The Department of Education continues to work closely with the NFAEP to develop and deliver the best strategy to identify and treat fire ants on school grounds, particularly in areas of high fire ant infestations.”
NFAEP’s spokesperson said, “since August 2025, FAST has provided schools with more than 65 kg of fast-acting nest treatment – enough to eliminate over 4380 nests – and more than 476 kg of treatment containing an insect growth regulator to treat over 290 ha of school grounds.”
They said schools in the suppression treatment area – which covers 650,000 hectares across Brisbane, Logan, Ipswich and Gold Coast – receive support from the Queensland Government-funded Fire Ant Suppression Taskforce (FAST).
“FAST provides treatment products, equipment, and training at no cost.”
Whilst “rapid response teams also treat high-risk areas on school grounds by injecting nests with a treatment that kills fire ants within 1 to 2 days,” it is it is the responsibility of schools to treat the grounds themselves.
Are they keeping on top of treatments?
NFAEP’s spokesperson said earlier this year, “FAST contacted schools with a history of fire ant infestations, encouraging them to check their grounds and report suspect fire ants or nests within 24 hours as part of their general biosecurity obligation.”
Interrogations into NFAEP’s online map show fire ants have been detected in and around many Logan schools including Logan Village State School, Chatswood Hills State School, Waterford State School, Yarrabilba State High School, Logan Reserve State School, Corymbia State School, Kingston State School, Woodridge State High School and Springwood State High School.
NFAEP’s spokesperson said despite their small size, fire ants pose a potentially life-threatening risk.
“Their painful stings can trigger severe allergic reactions in humans and animals in rare cases,” they said.
If bitten, the NFAEP recommends applying a cold compress to relieve the swelling and pain, gently washing the affected area with soap and water and taking an antihistamine to manage minor, localised reactions and itching.
It also recommends leaving the pustules and blisters intact as there is a risk of secondary infection if they break.
Mum Carlie Johnson said she was concerned school children were at risk.
“It is very concerning, especially considering teachers cannot keep an eye on every single student all the time,” she said.
“A child could be bitten and have an extreme adverse reaction before anyone even notices.”
“Schools need to keep on top of their treatments and if they can’t they need to get the professionals in straight away to ensure the safety of our kids.”
It’s not just schools either. Fire ants’ nests are popping up all over Logan.
A Logan City Council spokesperson said over the past year, Logan City Council’s self-funded fire ant eradication team had undertaken more than 2,000 hectares of broadscale suppression, investigated 2,200 nest reports referred from the NFAEP, and treated more than 32,000 fire ant nests.
“The national goal is to eradicate fire ants from Australia by 2032, including Logan and South‑East Queensland.”
Residents and landowners should report suspected fire ants immediately to the NFAEP online or by calling 132 ANT (13 22 68).
DID YOU KNOW: A newly mated queen lays up to 20 eggs a day, increasing to 5,000 a day as she matures. By 3 years a colony can have up to 100,000 ants. This is why the NFAEP treat 100% of targeted multiple times. This helps stop fire ant queens from producing alates (fertile winged ants) that can spread the infestation further.
