Yesterday (Friday, 19 January), the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) detected Red Imported Fire Ant nest at Wardell, south of Ballina.

Incident response teams from the National Fire Ant Eradication Program and NSW DPI teams are at the site to gather further information about the nest and destroy the nest with liquid insecticide.  

NSW DPI are working on ascertaining where the ants were transported from and how long the fire ants have been at this site.

The suspected fire ants were called in by a gardener who had disturbed the nest while working, was bitten and suffered blistering and pain. 

The Northern Rivers community is encouraged to continue their vigilance in noticing and calling out potential fire ant sites.

To report suspected ants contact the NSW Biosecurity Hotline at 1800 680 244 or online at www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fire-ants.  

Fire ants are tiny (2-6mm long) and reddish-brown in colour, are aggressive when disturbed and will sting repeatedly. Nests are mounds or flattish patches of soil with no obvious entrance holes, and up to 40 cm high. 

Further information will be communicated later today following more detailed examination of the site.