IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR THE TURF INDUSTRY
NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) has taken immediate action to mitigate the risk of fire ant movements into NSW by placing a temporary suspension of turf movements from QLD fire ant infested areas into any part of NSW.
The swift response follows the interception of fire ant infested turf at Clunes, near Byron Bay on 12 November. From 15 November, turf importation from the Queensland Government-defined QLD fire ant infested area is suspended pending further investigations and compliance work.
Biosecurity Emergency Order (No. 17) 2024:
NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (the Department) has published Biosecurity (Fire Ant) Emergency Order (No. 17) 2024 on 18 December 2024. This supersedes Order No. 16, published on 26 November 2024.
There are no changes to the boundaries of the NSW Fire Ant Infested Area or the Fire Ant Movement Control Areas (Murwillumbah and Wardell).
The Qld fire ant infested area has increased in size with increases in Allandale, Bellmere, Beerburrum, Bracalba, Caboolture, Caboolture South, Cannon Creek, Elimbah, Lake Manchester, Lilywood, Morayfield, Ropeley, Toorbul, Upper Caboolture, Wamuran, and Woodford.
If you are moving the defined fire ant carriers from the parts of QLD and NSW shown in red, orange or yellow on this map, you must comply with the current Emergency Order.
Read the current NSW Biosecurity (Fire Ant) Emergency Order
Read the Emergency Order Plain English Guide (PDF, 728.86 KB)
Treating turf with an approved chemical
A range of chemical treatments are approved by the APVMA for treating fire ants in turf in areas such as lawns, parks, and sports grounds and these are readily available for use in NSW.
The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) Permit number PER14317 (expiry 29th February 2024), allows the use of bifenthrin for control of red imported fire ants (RIFA) in commercial turf farms.
The following table is supplementary to clause 24 (a) of the Emergency Order which requires a person in NSW who receives turf that has been present in the fire ant infested area, and lays the turf, to treat the turf with an APVMA approved chemical for the control of fire ants immediately after laying. Unless otherwise stated on label, the following products are available to domestic and household users and can be purchased at retailers:
| Product example/s | Active and concentration | Situation (always check the label) | Guidance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bifenthrin 2g/kg |
| Apply at the higher label rate of 22g/m2 | |
| Fipronil 0.5g/kg |
| Apply at label rate for nesting ants. Some products may require application by an authorised lawn-care specialist in domestic turf situations; always check the label. |
WARNING - Always read the label: Users of agricultural chemical products must always read the label before using the product and strictly comply with the directions on the label. Users are not absolved from any compliance with the directions on the label by any statement made or omitted to be made in this publication. See Pesticides for more information.
Disclaimer: The product trade names in this publication are supplied on the understanding that no preference between equivalent products is intended and that the inclusion of a product name does not imply endorsement by the Department over any equivalent product from another manufacturer.
Frequently asked questions
Q: I cannot find the listed products, what else can I use?
If the named product/s above are not available, look for products with the same active ingredient (e.g. bifenthrin) at the same concentration (i.e. 2g/kg). Next, confirm that "fire ant, nesting ant, or stinging ant" are listed on-label as a target pest in the desired turf or lawn situation.
Q: I’m laying turf on an industrial scale - what cost-effective product can I use?
Larger, commercial pack sizes can be purchased at chemical resellers and agricultural supply stores.