Fears over invasive threat with 'devastating impacts' after wild weather
'Balls of fire ants' are currently floating in waterways along one Aussie state - with concerns the invasive species is likely to spread.
There are serious concerns an invasive pest with a "painful, venomous sting" could sweep many parts of the country if flooding occurs this summer. Thousands of fire ant infestations have been discovered along the Logan River and other areas south of Brisbane.
The insects' ability to float together in water means they could easily spread and establish new colonies in new locations, with heavy rainfall expected to only exacerbate the issue further. "[They] can lock their legs together and form a big raft — a ball of fire ants — and basically carry the queen and the brood downstream with the floodwaters," Reece Pianta from the Invasive Species Council told ABC.
"When they find dry land, as the water recedes, they can essentially establish a new colony. We've found a species that is almost perfectly evolved to infest and spread on the continent of Australia," he said. Fire ants originate from South America.
Not only did one entomologist tell Yahoo News previously that these insects have "devastating impacts" on "unique native flora and fauna", but they also are responsible for six deaths and trigger up to 116,000 medical visits every year, according to the Australian Institute.
👹 Warning over invasive garden 'monstrosity' that can cause brain dysfunction
🌵 Residents warned over 'destructive invaders' taking over Aussie suburbs
🌸 Desperate plea over invasive plant threatening 'beauty' of Australia
Severe weather threatens spread of invasive fire ants
Storms have already stretched across large parts of the country's eastern and northern states this month, with severe thunderstorms and heavy rain hitting Brisbane, forcing events to be cancelled like one Canadian singer's concert.
There are concerns if similar weather events occur throughout summer, the already 700,000 infested hectares in the Brisbane area could broaden. Fire ants are currently only in Queensland and NSW, however, the Invasive Species Council warns that a failure to contain the spread will mean these insects will easily get to "every corner of Australia" and life in the country will be "changed forever" — with 95 per cent of the country offering suitable living conditions for the insects.
At the start of the year, authorities in NSW were already forced to take extensive measures to try to restrict the spread of fire ants after signs of the insects popped up along areas south of Ballina in the state's north. Sniffer dogs and biosecurity experts went searching for the insects after a gardener endured "blistering" pain from bites.
What to do if you're bitten by a fire ant
Symptoms of fire ant bites include swelling, redness, blistering and a 'fiery' pain.
Apply a cold compress, wash the affected area and immediately seek medical advice if systems of allergy show.
Fire ant stings can take up to 10 days to heal.
Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.
You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
