<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A fire ant nest found on a suburban footpath has put a Queensland neighbourhood on alert, with crews swooping in to contain the risk.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The discovery in Cotswold Hills, Toowoomba, was confirmed at a newly built site, prompting a swift response from the National Fire Ant Eradication Program.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The nest has since been destroyed, with teams now working through nearby properties.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/groceries-prices-inflation-coles-woolies-supermarket-prices/a0b3c54b-ac98-41cd-9132-879fe1663b42" target="" title="A basic Aussie need is crippling families. The worst is yet to come"><strong><span>A basic Aussie need is crippling families. The worst is yet to come</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Treatment and surveillance are underway within a 500-metre radius as authorities check for any further activity and work to rule out additional nests.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Investigators are also tracing how the ants ended up at the site, focusing on materials brought into the area.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Human-assisted movement is the biggest risk for spreading fire ants. They can hitch rides in materials – such as soil, hay, mulch, manure, mining and quarry materials, turf, and potted plants – as well as on or in equipment with soil attached," said Marni Manning, General Manager of Operations for the program.</span></div></div><div class="player__video-container"><img alt="" src="https://imageresizer.static9.net.au/88U8t0b-zjcAlb8-cdc2-j99SxI=/750x0/https%3A%2F%2Fvms-network-images-prod.s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com%2F2024%2F01%2F563867%2Fn-fireants.png"/></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/fire-ants-queensland-toowoomba-eradication-program-cotswold-hills/2a5d25ad-192a-4bdf-8c78-a3d82818572d" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Under Queensland law, residents and businesses are required to take steps to prevent the spread of pests such as fire ants, with penalties for non-compliance.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Every Queenslander has a general biosecurity obligation to prevent biosecurity threats, including fire ants. Failing to do so can result in severe penalties, including fines of more than $500,000 or up to 3 years' imprisonment," Manning said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Locals are being asked to report suspected sightings within 24 hours, complete property forms to assist with crew access, and take care when moving soil, plants, or equipment.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The tiny red ants are considered one of the world's worst invasive species and can devastate agriculture and native wildlife.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>They range in size from 2mm to 6mm, have a copper-brown body with a darker abdomen, and will swarm and sting repeatedly if disturbed.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>​People can report fire ants using the government's </span><a href="https://ants.daf.qld.gov.au/table-of-contents/report-fire-ants/" rel="" target="" title=""><span>online reporting form</span></a><span> or by calling 13 22 68 (132 ANT).</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><em><span>NEVER MISS A STORY:</span></em></strong><span> </span><strong><em><span>Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></em></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><strong><em><span>Download the 9NEWS App here via</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Apple</span></em></strong></a><span> </span><strong><em><span>and</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU&amp;pli=1" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Google Play</span></em></strong></a></li><li><strong><em><span>Make 9News your preferred source on Google by</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.google.com/preferences/source?q=9news.com.au" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>ticking this box here</span></em></strong></a></li><li><strong><em><span>Sign up to</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://login.nine.com.au/edm?client_id=nineatnine" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>our breaking newsletter here</span></em></strong></a></li></ul></div></div>