‘Emergency measures’ needed to suppress fire ant sting
A race is on to stop the potential nationwide spread of devastating fire ants as fears increase ahead of summer.
invasive species
Fire ants escape Queensland hidden in ‘treated turf’
Turf ticked off as being treated for fire ants has proven to be a Trojan horse for one of the worst invasive species to reach Australian shores.
Authorities cop fire over response to ant ‘super pest’
Critics have blasted the federal government for "failing to grasp the urgency" of tackling potentially devastating invasive fire ant incursions.
Fire ant eradication refuseniks face sting of the law
Tensions are ramping up between authorities and property owners who are resisting the fire ant eradication program with a lock-the-gates style campaign.
Landowners lock the gate on mandatory fire ant baiting
A national program designed to stop the march of a deadly and destructive super pest is facing rising community resistance to mandatory baiting.
Thousands of fire ant nests infest Qld properties
Fire ants are having a field day in Queensland, with reports of thousands of nests on some properties. Questions are now being asked about suppression efforts.
animal diseases
conservation
endangered species
environmental issue
environmental politics
invasive species
wildlife
Govt lagging on bird flu threat to wildlife: experts
Australia's environment ministers have been accused of being missing in action and doing little to get ready for bird flu impacts on native wildlife.
Australia isn’t ready for ravages of bird flu: warning
Australia's environment ministers are accused of being missing in action and doing little to get ready for the impacts of bird flu on native wildlife.
Fire ants found again outside Qld containment zone
Two fire ant nests have been found on the Sunshine Coast amid rising fears about a spate of recent outlier detections.
More fire ants found outside containment zone
Authorities are concerned after fire ants were again found well outside Queensland's containment zone.
Defence land could be weak spot in ant war
The discovery of fire ants on a defence base west of Brisbane has raised serious concerns about whether other defence sites are harbouring the super pest.
Fire ants found for first time in Murray Darling Basin
The first fire ants detection has been made in the Murray Darling Basin, fuelling calls for an urgent funding review for eradication efforts.
Australia warned to wage all-out war on fire-ant menace
A parliamentary inquiry has recommended a fresh review of efforts to eradicate fire ants, including whether the cash promised so far will get the job done.
No plan to eradicate pest that can muscle in on natives
Australia's newest exotic pest has invaded the Brisbane River and yet the authorities have decided to not eradicate it. Experts reveal what that could lead to.
Beloved natives in firing line of `ultimate invader’
An inquiry into Australia's efforts to eradicate fire ants has been told what could be on the line for treasured native species, including koalas and platypus.
Industry clamps as Asian honey bee nest found at port
Beekeepers are on high alert after an invasive Asian honey bee nest, which can carry a destructive mite, was found at a busy port.
economy, business and finance
endangered species
environmental issue
environmental politics
health
invasive species
Fatal flaws: grim warnings about fire ant program
An inquiry aired serious concerns about efforts to eradicate fire ants - a hyper-aggressive super pest that could change what it's like to live in Australia.
Varroa mite probe sparks east coast police raids
A bee industry chief is expecting answers soon about how a devastating bee parasite got into Australia and says the majority of feral bees could disappear.
Fire ants could cost ‘half a COVID’ every year
Analysts have offered a staggering new assessment of what Australia could lose to fire ants.
Fire ants inquiry shines light on decades of failure
Australia's efforts to eradicate deadly fire ants have been savaged by former insiders and the woman who led a review that was buried.
Major victory claimed over yellow crazy ant threat
In a big win over the acid-spitting threat, Queensland is celebrating the world's largest single eradication of yellow crazy ants.
Invasive bees defy evolution to cover Sydney-sized area
Invasive Asian honey bees have defied evolutionary expectations to grow from a single swarm into more than 10,000 colonies in Queensland, researchers say.
Mite species harmful to bee industry detected at port
An invasive species that can wipe out honey bees has been detected at a Queensland port, sparking anxiety among keepers after hives were infected across NSW.
New exotic pest raises fears for rivers, water network
A highly invasive clam has been found in Australia for the first time and it could be bad news for river health and water infrastructure.
Great Aussie toad bust takes aim at deadly invader
The nation's biggest cane toad bust is about to begin and Aussies are being urged to do their bit for native species and get onboard.
Turf theory probed in NSW red fire ant outbreak
Businesses in northern NSW have been hit with unexpected restrictions after invasive fire ants made a historic incursion south of the border.
Invasive fire ants jump border from Queensland to NSW
Fire ant nests found in South Murwillumbah are believed to be the most southern spread of the pests so far as authorities scramble to stem the infestation.
Bait shortage white-ants bid to end spread of tiny pest
A shortage of baits is frustrating efforts to stop the spread of fire ants, which pose a huge threat to the Australian economy and the environment.
Senate to probe efforts to eradicate fire ants
The Senate will investigate Australia's efforts to squash invasive fire ants, amid claims a national eradication program hasn't been given the cash it needs.
Feral deer fatten up on rare, threatened alpine plants
Feral deer are eating rare and threatened native plants in Victoria's heritage-listed Alpine National Park prompting calls for action.
Blitz squashes crazy ants at Qld sites but war rolls on
Yellow crazy ants have been eradicated from two large sites south of Cairns after years of intense effort, but many more battlegrounds remain.