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Fire ants in Sydney: why you shouldn't spray the nest

PHA-036 · Video published 17 October 2026 · Last checked: 30 October 2026

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In plain English

Slide: Leave the nest, keep people and pets back. Leave it, no poking, spraying or capture. Snap it, take a clear photo from safety. Call it, report it to NSW biosecurity.
Leave it, snap it, call it. Source: NSW Government / DPIRD (13 October 2026).

Suspect fire ants in your Sydney garden? Leave the nest alone, keep children and pets away, take a photo only if it is safe, then report it, even if you're unsure. Fire ants were found at a freight logistics site in Enfield. NSW announced on 13 October 2026 that the detected nest was treated. Genetic testing suggests the ants arrived from overseas in a shipping container, rather than spreading from the established south-east Queensland infestation.

Schematic diagram of response radii around the Enfield site: 500 metres for priority inspections and 2 kilometres for surveillance. Not an infestation map.
Response areas: priority inspections within 500 m, surveillance to 2 km. Schematic only, not an infestation map. Source: NSW Government / DPIRD (13 October 2026).

Teams are prioritising inspections within 500 metres, with surveillance out to 2 kilometres. These are search areas, not confirmed infestation boundaries. Look for loose soil, mounds or flat patches without an obvious entrance, but don't poke them to check. Disturbing a nest can trigger swarming and painful stings, and do-it-yourself treatment can help them spread. If stung, move away, wash the area and apply a wrapped cold pack. For breathing trouble or collapse, use an adrenaline autoinjector if available and call 000.

Key numbers

  • 1800 680 244: NSW Biosecurity helpline. Report it even if you're unsure.
  • 500 m: priority inspection area around the Enfield detection.
  • 2 km: surveillance and treatment area where needed. These are search areas, not infestation boundaries.

Sources

These are the sources named in the video and its description.

  1. NSW Government / DPIRD: Red imported fire ants nest found at Sydney port intermodal logistics site (13 October 2026)
  2. NSW Government: Fire ants response and reporting advice (checked 15 October 2026)
  3. healthdirect: Insect bites and stings

Last checked: 30 October 2026. This is general information, not medical advice.

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