Fire Ants in Sydney (2026): What to Look For and What to Do

What happened at Enfield?

On 23 September 2026, federal biosecurity officers carrying out routine surveillance found suspect ants at a freight facility in Strathfield. They were confirmed as red imported fire ants (Solenopsis invicta) on 25 September. The location was the Enfield Intermodal Logistics Centre in Sydney's inner west.

Officers found one nest made up of two mounds on concrete and treated it. Genetic testing indicated the ants were not linked to the south-east Queensland infestation. Authorities have not confirmed how they arrived. Sydney has dealt with an isolated detection before: fire ants found at Port Botany in 2014 were eradicated.

The draft's October update reports that no further nests had been found following treatment. That is not an all-clear for surrounding areas: official advice still calls for surveillance because ants may have spread beyond the original site.

Which Sydney suburbs are in the fire ant zone?

The supplied October update describes a 2 km zone covering parts of Enfield, Belfield, Croydon Park, Greenacre, Chullora, Belmore, Strathfield, Strathfield South, Rookwood and Lakemba. This list has not been independently confirmed against a current official boundary map. A suburb name does not mean every address is within the zone: check the NSW Government map for your property.

The supplied update lists treatment of publicly accessible areas from 19 October to 30 November 2026, weather permitting, with signage and no re-entry restrictions. These dates and conditions have not been independently confirmed. Check current NSW advice and follow directions posted at the location.

A Biosecurity Control Order was expected by the end of October 2026, focusing on businesses moving carrier materials such as soil, turf, building materials and nursery plants. Dates and restrictions can change, so check the current NSW Government advice before moving materials.

Does this affect Western and South-West Sydney?

Blacktown, Liverpool, Penrith, Campbelltown and the Narellan area are outside the reported Enfield zone. That does not mean people elsewhere in Sydney should ignore suspect ants.

Fire ants can be transported in shipping containers and moved soil, mulch, turf and nursery materials. Stay alert when checking your yard, but do not approach or disturb a suspicious mound. Report concerns rather than trying to confirm them yourself.

What do red imported fire ants look like?

Workers are roughly 2 to 6 mm long, dark reddish-brown, with a darker brown-black abdomen. Their nests can appear as flat patches of soil or mounds up to about 40 cm high, often with no obvious entry or exit hole.

They can swarm aggressively and sting repeatedly when disturbed. Do not test this behaviour by poking a nest. Potential nesting places include lawns, median strips, driveways and roadside gutters.

Colour alone is not reliable identification. Other ants can look reddish, and a mound by itself does not confirm fire ants. Take a photograph only if you can do so safely, and let NSW authorities identify them.

How are fire ants different from ordinary household ants?

Argentine, black house and ghost ants commonly enter kitchens and bathrooms looking for food and moisture. Red imported fire ants pose a different risk: they can nest outdoors in soil, swarm when disturbed and deliver repeated stings.

Location alone cannot rule out fire ants, and an ant trail is not a species diagnosis. If you are uncertain, do not spray. Photograph from a safe distance and contact the NSW Biosecurity Helpline on 1800 680 244.

What should I do if I think I have found fire ants?

1. Leave it. Do not destroy, disturb or treat the nest. Keep people and pets away.

2. Snap it. Take a clear photo or video from a safe distance, only if it is safe to do so.

3. Call it. Call the NSW Biosecurity Helpline on 1800 680 244 or use the reporting information on the NSW Government fire ants page below.

Fire ants are prohibited matter in NSW. Do not treat, move or possess suspected fire ants without authorisation. Spraying a suspected nest yourself, or booking a routine pest treatment for it, is not the right response. We would rather point you to the authorities than take the wrong booking.

What if I get stung by a fire ant?

Stings can cause burning pain, redness and itching. Small blisters may form within 48 hours. Move away from the ants, wash the area gently with soap and cool water, and apply a cold pack for pain and swelling. Do not scratch or break blisters.

Call 000 immediately for signs of a severe allergic reaction, including trouble breathing, swelling of the face or throat, widespread hives or feeling faint. Seek urgent medical advice for concerning symptoms such as chest pain, nausea or heavy sweating. See a doctor if symptoms worry you or you have a history of severe allergic reactions.

Pets are also at risk, particularly around the nose, mouth and ears. Move your pet away safely and call a vet promptly. Facial swelling or breathing difficulty needs urgent veterinary help. This is general information, not medical advice.

What about the ants in my kitchen right now?

Once suspected fire ants have been ruled out, ordinary household ants are a different job. Spring brings increased insect activity, and trails around kitchen benches, bathrooms and window frames often point to common household species.

Wipe up food and drink spills, seal pet food and sweet items, fix leaking taps, and seal gaps around doors, windows and pipes. These steps reduce attractants, but an established colony may need targeted ant control rather than repeated surface spraying.

PestGuard Sydney provides household ant control and general pest control for homes and businesses in Narellan, Campbelltown, Liverpool, Blacktown, Penrith and surrounding suburbs. For ordinary household ants, request a quote. For suspected fire ants, report to NSW authorities first.

Fire ants in Sydney: frequently asked questions