The Australia Institute has estimated that the rise of fire ants could cause six deaths per year, trigger 116,000 medical visits state-wide and cost Queensland households up to $188 million per year in medical expenses and pet care.
Invasive Species Council advocacy manager Reece Pianta said Queenslanders are facing immediate fire ant costs now, but they will soon become a problem for the whole country unless urgent action is taken to stop their spread.
“Their stings can harm and kill humans, wildlife and pets, will cost Australia over $2 billionper year and slash agricultural output by up to 40%,” he said.
“Our environment, health and lifestyle are at stake.
“Imagine not being able to enjoy your local park or beach because it’s infested with deadly fire ants. It’s already happening overseas where they are out of control.”
Fire ants. Photo by Barry Rice.
For every dollar spent on fire ant eradication now, the public benefit is estimated to be between $3 and $9.
Previous research by the Australia Institute shows that fire ants will cost Australia more than $22 billion by the 2040’s if allowed to spread.
The modelling shows that households in each electorate will spend an average of $2 million per year for pest management, medical and veterinary visits.
Pustules resulting from fire ant stings. Photo by Murray S. Blum, The University of Georgia via Forestry Images.
In the Inala electorate alone the impact will be higher than average.
Fire ants are predicted to sting 19,678 people each year, leading to 394 anaphylactic reactions and potential deaths. Fire ant stings will cause 1,476 extra medical visits, electorate residents, costing healthcare systems $604,112 each year.
Fire ant stings are expected to cost Inala electorate households $2.2 million in fire ant damage in each electorate, and cause 2,041 extra vet visits at a cost of $205,390.
Residents living in Brisbane, Ipswich and Logan can order a free fire ant treatment kit from the National Fire Ant Eradication program to help minimise the spread of fire ants.
For more information or to order a kit, visit fireants.org.au/treat/residents/free-kit
