Stop The Toxic Fire Ant Program

Learn more about the impact, raise your voice, and join us in the fight for safe and responsible pest control solutions.

Important News!
Biologist Josh King warns Australia

University of Central Florida’s Biology Professor and world renowned fire ant expert Dr. Joshua King has written to Australia detailing his concerns with the National Fire Ant Eradication Program.

He “strongly disagree[s] with the current prophylactic approach to fire ant management”  and believes that “current approach is not sustainable, excessively costly, and ultimately may hasten fire ant spread and establishment”

Read his full letter here.

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Our Objectives

  1. An immediate halt to the National Fire Ant Eradication Program

  2. Focus on controlling fire ant populations in high-infested areas, minimising harm to non-target species and the environment

  3. Responsible Poison Use: Only use poisons in areas with known fire ant nests, reducin unnecessary chemical application and protecting biodiversity.

  4. Biosecurity concerning Privacy Act: Prevent unlawful entry into private land.

  5. Prevent Fire Ant Spread: Prohibit transport of fire ants through mulch, soil, equipment and products.

  6. Empower landownersto self treat private land with environmentally safe methods.

Stop The Toxic Fire Ant Program

About Us

Welcome to ‘Stop The Toxic Fire Ant Program’, your trusted source for information on the toxic and destructive National Fire Ant Eradication Plan and its impact on local communities. We are dedicated to ensuring the safety, efficacy, and environmental integrity of pest management programs that affect our homes and lands.

Our mission is to address and resolve concerns related to the National Fire Ant Eradication Program. With a commitment to transparency and community engagement, we strive to hold responsible parties accountable and ensure that all aspects of the eradication process are thoroughly vetted and communicated.

Key Benefits of Raising Awareness

Why Spreading Awareness is Important

Eco-friendly Solutions.

Campaigns can lead to meaningful policy changes and encourage decision-makers to adopt more effective, eco-friendly solutions.

Driving Positive Change

Awareness campaigns can drive meaningful changes in policies and practices. By highlighting issues and garnering public support, we can influence decision-makers to adopt more effective and environmentally-friendly solutions.

Our Mission

Our Purpose

Our website serves as a platform to voice concerns, request crucial information, protect their properties and drive positive change. We are here to support our community in seeking answers and ensuring that pest control measures are conducted with the utmost respect for both people and the environment.

Join us in our mission to safeguard our homes and natural resources. Stay informed, stay engaged, and together, let’s work towards a safer and more sustainable future.

Destruction of Environment

We are deeply concerned about the environmental impact of the eradication plan on our local wildlife,organic fruit orchards, vegetable gardens, and natural surroundings. Our goal is to obtain and share critical information about the environmental studies conducted, and to advocate for sustainable practices that preserve our ecosystems.

Safety and Efficacy

We seek to clarify the safety and effectiveness of the chemicals used, such as S Methoprene and Pyriproxyfen. Our aim is to get access to evidence and detailed risk assessments to ensure that these substances do not adversely affect human health, animals, or the environment.

Treatment Practices

We are committed to demanding better communication and consent practices. We question why property owners were not consulted prior to treatment and why some community members were left uninformed. We are pushing for 100% notification and the implementation of comprehensive consent procedures.

Destruction of Environment

We are deeply concerned about the environmental impact of the eradication plan on our local wildlife,organic fruit orchards, vegetable gardens, and natural surroundings. Our goal is to obtain and share critical information about the environmental studies conducted, and to advocate for sustainable practices that preserve our ecosystems.

Addressing Concerns About Treatment Practices

We address issues related to aerial and ground treatments, including the potential for chemical leaching into waterways, accidental contamination, and the safety of nearby livestock, humans, and domestic pets.

Safety and Efficacy

We seek to clarify the safety and effectiveness of the chemicals used, such as S Methoprene and Pyriproxyfen. Our aim is to get access to evidence and detailed risk assessments to ensure that these substances do not adversely affect human health, animals, or the environment.

Promoting Community Engagement

We emphasize the need for proactive community engagement and effective communication strategies. We advocate for prompt responses to community concerns and transparency about any incidents of accidental chemical dumping or treatment errors.

Treatment Practices

We are committed to demanding better communication and consent practices. We question why property owners were not consulted prior to treatment and why some community members were left uninformed. We are pushing for 100% notification and the implementation of comprehensive consent procedures.

Important Facts

Did You Know

The two main baits being used contain Pyriproxyfen or S-methoprene and both chemicals are classified as HIGHLY/VERY TOXIC to aquatic life.

Concerns Regarding the Fire Ant Eradication Program

  • No local Environmental Impact Study has been conducted.

     

  • The two main baits being used contain Pyriproxyfen or S-methoprene as their active ingredients and are classified on their material safety data sheets as either ‘very toxic’ or ‘highly toxic’ to aquatic life, respectively.

     

  • This Program is about to repeatedly blanket 800,000 hectares of land – that’s 1.97 million acres – with chemicals.

     

  • The chemical-laced corn granules dropped by the helicopters on Sunday landed in Dawson Creek and the South Pine River.

     

  • The APVMA permits state that baiting should not occur if rain is forecast. Most days it rained!

  • The permit for s-methoprene states do not apply when fire ant populations are not evident.

  • The current program was designed to run from 2023 – 2032 but already has insufficient funds and will run out of funding (currently $113 million/year) in 2027.

     

  • The Invasive Species Council estimated that for the program to have a chance of success, annual funding needed to be between $200 to $300 million.

     

  • Over $1 BILLION dollars already spent on this FAILED program and it hasn’t even managed to suppress the fire ants!

     

  • This is the largest eradication attempt ever undertaken anywhere in the world with other countries abandoning their efforts due to concerns over issues such as environmental pollution and lack of community engagement.

How safe are these chemicals?

There are two chemicals used for broadcast baiting:

  • Pyriproxyfen – Brand Name “Distance”
  • S-Methoprene – Brand Name “Engage”

These chemicals are classed as ‘insect growth regulators’ and they:

  • Affect the fertility of the ants so they cannot reproduce
  • Are considered endocrine disruptors and oestrogen analogues
  • S-Methoprene has been indicated in frog deformities
  • Study indicates Pyriproxyfen might be a “forever chemical”

Other chemicals used in fast-acting baits are insecticides:

  • Indoxacarb – banned in EU and China
  • Hydramethylnon – linked to cancer by US EPA
  • Fipronil – Class 1 Carcinogen.
Regulatory and Ethical Concerns

The use of these chemicals, some of which are banned in regions like the EU and China, raises ethical questions about their safety and regulatory oversight. The classification of these substances as endocrine disruptors and carcinogens underscores the need for stricter regulations and alternative solutions that minimize harm to ecosystems and human health.

Banned Poison

The use of banned fire ant poison, known for its severe ecological and health risks, underscores the urgent need to reconsider how we treat fire ants and explore safer, more sustainable alternatives for treating fire ants

Largest Eradication Program Ever Undertaken

The scale of this program is unprecedented.

Over $1 Billion Spent on a Failed Program

Enormous sums spent with little success in controlling fire ants.

Chemical breakdown products can persist in the environment, posing long-term risks. The absence of thorough monitoring increases uncertainty about their impact.

Impact and Risks of Chemical Persistence

Concerns About Chemical Breakdown and Environmental Safety

  • Breakdown products of pyriproxyfen are as toxic as the parent chemical and some have longer half-lives than the active ingredient.

  • Fipronil is a PFAS pesticide. PFAS are recognized as Class 1 carcinogens. Banned from outdoor use in the EU.

  • The withholding periods set for organic farms appear to be based only on the primary chemical breakdown, not metabolites.

  • The safety of deployment within meters of waterways is questionable for pyriproxyfen and fipronil. EPA in NSW has refused to do any monitoring of rivers at all.

Water Analysis Report from Dawson Creeks after the Aerial treatment

Water Quality Impact Analysis

This report details the analysis of water quality in Dawson Creeks following aerial treatment. It examines chemical residues, their environmental impact, and outlines necessary actions to address any identified issues.

Extracts from Water Analysis

For instance, Pyriproxyfen has been shown to be particularly harmful to crustaceans and fish, causing developmental and reproductive issues even at low concentrations. The detected level of Pyriproxyfen in Dawson Creek (81 μg/L) is alarmingly high, significantly exceeding safe environmental concentrations. This could lead to severe ecological consequences, such as reduced fish populations and impaired ecosystem health.

Sample Analysis

  • South Pine River (11:45 sample): Both Methoprene and Pyriproxyfen were below detectable levels, suggesting minimal contamination at this site during the sampling time.
  • Dawson Creek (11:45 sample): Pyriproxyfen concentration was 81 μg/L, indicating a serious pollution event. Methoprene was below detectable levels.
  • South Pine River (14:00 sample): Pyriproxyfen was detected at 3.3 μg/L, still above typical safe limits, although not as extreme as in Dawson Creek. Methoprene remained below detectable levels.

Water Analysis Report from Dawson Creeks after the Aerial treatment:

Every action counts in making a difference!

“Our largest mistake was the use of insecticide dropped aerially … what we were disturbing were the ‘would be’ competitors of the fire ants so when the fire ants moved in they had no competitors.”

Dr Robert Puckett, Entomologist from Texas

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A Brief History of Fire Ants in Australia​

  • They were first discovered in the Port of Brisbane in 2001.
  • The infestation covered 36,000 hectares & nests were half a metre high, indicating presence since the 1990s.
  • Between 2001-2004, poisoning was conducted with three to four rounds per year, followed by two years of surveillance.
  • Eventually, eradication was abandoned and converted to ‘containment and suppression’.
  • Multiple programs were started and abandoned between then and now

Map of Treatment area 2017 to 2021​

Map of current infestations 2024​

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