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ABC News
5 days ago
- Science
- ABC News
Fears Australia will lose its war on fire ants, suffering the same fate as the US
They swarm, they sting, they're invasive, and they could be in your backyard soon. Fire ants — named for their painful, burning sting — have relentlessly marched across south-east Queensland, steadily spreading north, south and west. But in the United States, the imported "super pest" is more than an emerging nuisance. It's a daily hazard, according to Mark Hoddle from the University of California's Applied Biological Control Research Centre. "If the kids are out in the yard and they tread on one of these nests, the ants just boil out of it," Professor Hoddle said. As Australia battles to protect its beloved outdoor lifestyle, America's experience demonstrates the cost of losing this war. The National Fire Ant Eradication Program received at least 463 reports of critical fire ant stings this year. In four cases an ambulance was called, and 20 cases required hospitalisation. In the US, it's estimated more than 14 million people are stung each year. Professor Hoddle has studied fire ants and how to kill them for three decades. The insects gained a foothold in the US in the 1930s, after being imported among cargo from South America. What followed was a insecticidal war, described by Professor Hoddle as "the Vietnam of entomology". "It just seems like an intractable problem." Fire ants now infest more than 150 million hectares across 15 southern US states — an area larger than the Northern Territory. In Australia, a similar pattern is unfolding, including rising opposition to the chemical treatments that experts say are vital to getting the pest under control. On Queensland's Scenic Rim, Kirsty McKenna has seen the number of fire ant nests at her property spread from one, to thousands. Ms McKenna runs a fire ant Facebook group, with posts venting frustration over what many see as a broken system. "People are disheartened — we feel like we're on our own battling this issue," she said. "People are saying they're no longer bothering to report, which worries me." Fire ant queens can fly up to 5 kilometres and lay about 2,000 eggs a day. When a nest is disturbed, a pheromone is released, causing the ants to swarm and sting repeatedly. Virginia Tech assistant professor of entomology Scotty Yang has studied fire ants in China, Taiwan, Australia and the US. Repeated multiple stings can cause severe allergic reactions, which can be fatal for those with underlying conditions. "You're going to have pustules develop on your skin, it's going to be super itchy," Dr Yang said. "You scratch them, you break the pustule and there's a likelihood you're going to get the secondary infections." A 2024 study published in the journal Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease found about a quarter of people stung developed an allergic reaction. Dr Yang said humans were largely responsible for spreading fire ants beyond their natural barriers. Early eradication attempts in the US drenched nests with pesticides like calcium cyanide, a toxic chemical that is now rarely used. It killed the worker ants, but Dr Yang said it left the queen unharmed deep underground to rebuild the nest. Colonies also hitched rides on the backs of trucks, planes and boats transporting materials like soil, hay and turf. Fire ants were first detected in Brisbane in 2001 but have surged across south-east Queensland in recent years. They now infest around 850,000 hectares and have spread south of the border into the Tweed, Ballina and Byron Shires. This month, fire ants were located at a coal mine near Mackay, central Queensland, and in a freight container at Perth. Under a $592 million program, an eradication zone stretches around south-east Queensland, where the National Fire Ant Eradication Program directly exterminates fire ant nests. But within that area is the suppression zone, where landholders are required to manage nests themselves. The goal is to treat the outer infested area and push inward, squeezing progressively towards the coast, wiping out ant populations as they go. But the strategy has been criticised by residents, who fear populations in the suppression zone can spread unchecked, undermining the entire program. Inside the suppression zone, turf farmer John Keleher has spent $1.5 million over the past two years managing fire ants on his property near Beaudesert. "It's two to three hours of my day every day just complying with the necessary paperwork and treatment regime," he said. Agricultural businesses like his must monitor their land regularly, apply bait or treatments on schedule, and submit detailed records for inspection. But those rules do not apply to Mr Keleher's neighbours who live on rural residential blocks. Instead, rural residents fall under a system that relies on self-reporting. Mr Keleher fears it allows fire ant nests to go unnoticed and untreated. "I'm directly looking into a neighbour's property and the pest population of ants there is endemic," he said. National Fire Ant Eradication Program general manager of operations Marni Manning said the density of fire ants had increased beyond what the community accepted. She said efforts inside the suppression zone were being expanded, including aerial baiting. "The more we weaken the population in the suppression area, the better eradication effectiveness will be," she said. Although landholders are legally required to allow biosecurity officers onto their properties, there has been resistance, which Ms Manning believes is fed in part by misinformation. Crews have required police escorts to access some properties, and Southern Cross University recently came under fire for funding research by an anti-bait conspiracy theorist. Professor Hoddle said similar dynamics derailed eradication efforts in the US. "When there is not sufficient collective action for the public good, the programs collapse," he said. Ms Manning said even if some landholders did not take action, eradication could still be achieved if the majority complied. "We are trying really hard to explain to the community what the reality is if we don't eradicate," she said. The National Fire Ant Eradication Program uses corn grit baits soaked in soybean oil that contain pyriproxyfen or methoprene, both insect growth regulators approved by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority. The chemicals prevent fire ant queens from producing mature worker ants, killing a colony over a couple of months. Part of the program involves dropping baits from helicopters, prompting concerns from residents about the environmental impact. But Invasive Species Council advocacy manager Reece Pianta said it was among the most environmentally friendly approaches over a large area. "Native ants will forage this product and take it away, but the product is designed so the oil component of it is far more attractive to fire ants," he said. A baiting program is underway to control fire ants spreading through the Northern Rivers region of NSW. Ms Manning said the baiting program was critical to containing the pest. But the clock is ticking for the rest of Australia. Beyond the medical, environmental and economic cost of fire ants is the risk to outdoor lifestyles. Outdoor events, camping trips, days at the beach and backyard barbecues all become complicated when you have to be on alert for aggressive, stinging ants. Professor Hoddle said Australia had a narrow window to stop fire ants, but it could already be too late. "With a lot of these programs it often reaches a critical area of infestation where containment may or may not be possible," he said. But Professor Yang said eradication could be achieved if governments, landholders and everyday Australians acted fast. "It's a big shock to me — I thought Australia had a really good chance to eradicate." Ms Manning said the program was committed to the fight, with Queensland spending an additional $24 million over two years to bolster suppression. "These super pests stand to inhabit at least 97 per cent of this country," she said. "They're projected to cause more damage than cane toads, camels, foxes and feral pigs — all combined. "We're not giving up on eradication."
BreakingNews.ie
09-07-2025
- Health
- BreakingNews.ie
Warnings issued over painful weever fish as weather improves
The National Poisons Information Centre of Ireland has issued a warning over the dangers of weever fish around the coast. There have already been dozens of reports of bathers being stung by the dangerous tiny fish from beaches up and down the country. Advertisement With the weather expected to get better in the coming days, more and more people will flock to the coastline. The tiny fish have sharp spines containing venom on their dorsal fin. They are found all parts of the Irish coast but only in sandy areas, usually in warm shallow waters in the hour before and after low tide. Unlike most fish, they have no swim bladder, meaning that they sink to the bottom as soon as they stop swimming. Advertisement They are, therefore, difficult to see because they spend most of their time buried under the sand. Standing on a weever fish results in immediate intense, burning pain with the most intense pain coming in the first two hours. The painful sting can also result in swelling, numbness and warmth. The NPIC this week issued a warning to people to beware of the tiny predator and were inundated with comments from people across the country telling of their frightening experiences. Advertisement Therese Kavanagh revealed "Stood on one of these in Kilmuckridge in Wexford a few year back oh good Jesus the pain is awful, I'd never heard of weaver fish at the time but thankfully my neighbour did and knew exactly what to do when she seen my foot. "Put swim shoes or crocs on the kids going in the water and don't let kids sit at the shoreline/ shallow water this is where they are found most" Robert Alan said "Stepped on one of these on Achill Island and it's not fun! Thankfully the lifeguards knew what it was straight away and stuck the kettle on." Ross Stewart said "It's agony. Get spiked at ten years old at Brittas Bay. Will never forget the pain." Advertisement The NPIC has issued a list of guidelines for people to follow if they are stung by the tiny pest. People should: * Seek assistance from a lifeguard, if available. * Submerge the affected limb or wound in hot water, as hot as can be tolerated for up to 90 minutes or until pain is easing. * As the sting can result in numbness, immerse the unaffected limb too, as this may prevent inadvertent scalding. * Cold applications may worsen the discomfort. * Paracetamol can be considered to relieve pain. Care should be taken when pain relief is given that thermal burns do not occur due to the effects of the pain killer masking the temperature of the water used. * The puncture site should be examined and embedded spines removed. * Seek medical attention from a doctor as a tetanus and/or antibiotics may be required. * Call the NPIC on 01 8092166 if you stand on a weever fish.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Jellyfish sting nearly 100 beachgoers in Daytona Beach over holiday weekend
The Brief Nearly 100 people were stung by jellyfish during Memorial Day weekend in Daytona Beach. Officials urge caution but say most stings are minor and treatable on-site. Despite warnings, beachgoers largely stayed in the water to enjoy the holiday. DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Nearly 100 people were stung by jellyfish along Daytona Beach over the Memorial Day weekend, prompting warnings from local officials and beach safety crews. What we know Over Memorial Day weekend, 99 people were stung by jellyfish along Daytona Beach, according to Volusia County Beach Safety officials. The majority of stings were mild, though some individuals required hospital treatment. Jellyfish were spotted both in the surf and along the sand. Beach crews are responding by treating stings with vinegar and advising caution. What we don't know Officials have not identified the specific species of jellyfish responsible for the stings, nor have they indicated whether this sudden surge is tied to seasonal patterns or unusual ocean conditions. It also remains unclear whether more stings may occur in the coming days, or if additional safety measures will be implemented. The backstory Daytona Beach is a popular Memorial Day destination, often drawing large crowds. In past years, beach safety teams have responded to hundreds of water rescues during this weekend. While rescues dropped to 35 this year, jellyfish stings emerged as a new concern, shifting the focus of beach safety efforts. The stings highlight the unpredictable nature of beach safety hazards. While rip currents typically dominate safety advisories, marine life can present unexpected risks—even on high-traffic weekends like Memorial Day. Yellow flags remain in place, alerting visitors to moderate water risks. What they're saying Volusia County Beach Safety Deputy Chief AJ Miller said beachgoers should stay alert but not overly alarmed. "We've pulled out 35 people yesterday and Saturday from the water," he said. "We have jellyfish in the area. Just between Saturday and Sunday, we had 99 people stung by jellyfish." Deputy Miller said it's important to pay attention. "You can see them if you're really watching," Miller said, "But then you're going to spend your whole day staring at the water and not enjoying the day." "It's a minor concern," said Brian Thatcher, a Jacksonville resident. "Everybody's trying to have a good time, go back to work tomorrow, so you got to do something to enjoy." What you can do Visitors are encouraged to seek help from lifeguards if stung; vinegar is available for treatment at beach stations. Those with allergies to insect stings are urged to be especially cautious, as they may be more sensitive to jellyfish venom. Despite the stings, most beachgoers were undeterred, soaking up the sun and surf before heading back to work. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines FOX Local:Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV The Source This story was written based on information shared by Volusia County Beach Safety, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and visitors to Daytona Beach on May 26, 2025.
BBC News
23-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Worcester beehives removed after residents plagued by swarms
More than 20 beehives have been removed from the back garden of a house in Worcester after residents complained they were being repeatedly stung and could not open windows or go City Council said a team had quickly investigated the matter and the hives had been removed, without any formal action being in Corfe Avenue, in the Warndon Villages area of the city, told the BBC this week their lives had been made a "misery" by the swarming creatures and tradespeople were staying away because of fears of being problem had been traced to a property with several apartments rented to tenants. The BBC approached the owner but they have not responded. City councillor Sarah Murray had claimed there were 21 hives in the back garden that were unmanaged and she estimated they could contain up to one million Friday, a spokesman for Worcester City Council said: "After being alerted to the situation Worcestershire Regulatory Services, acting on behalf of the City Council, quickly investigated the matter."This has resulted in the beehives being removed from the property, without any formal action being required." Residents had told the BBC the problem had developed over years and one woman, who gave her name as Julie, said she had kept videos and a photo diary of the swarms "for the last couple of years".Murray also said the issue had "gone well beyond a private matter" as she called for said families, pets and workers were being stung, residents were unable to open windows and home maintenance had been also raised concerns over the environmental impact because honeybees in excessive numbers could outcompete bumblebees, solitary bees and butterflies. Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
The Guardian
08-05-2025
- Health
- The Guardian
Scorpions ‘taking over' Brazilian cities with reported stings rising 250%
Scorpions are 'taking over' Brazilian cities, researchers have warned in a paper that said rapid urbanisation and climate breakdown were driving an increase in the number of people being stung. More than 1.1m stings were reported between 2014 and 2023, according to data from the Brazilian notifiable diseases information system. There was a 250% increase in reports of stings from 2014 to 2023, according to research published in the journal Frontiers in Public Health. The rise in cases has been driven by rapid, unplanned urbanisation – such as favelas – characterised by high-density housing and poor waste disposal, according to the research. Although urban areas are encroaching on wild habitats where scorpions already live, they are also creating new environments in which to thrive. 'Urbanisation in Brazil has profoundly reshaped ecosystems,' said the lead researcher, Manuela Berto Pucca, an assistant professor at São Paulo State University. 'Cities unintentionally offer everything scorpions need: plenty of shelter (in walls, drains, rubble and construction debris), consistent warmth, and a reliable food supply in the form of cockroaches and other urban invertebrates.' They particularly like sewers, which are warm year-round, home to almost no predators and provide plenty of food, especially cockroaches. Some species of scorpion can survive for up to 400 days without food and are able to reproduce without mating, making them difficult to eradicate. Scorpions thrive in urban environments such as sewers, which are warm and humid and have a ready food supply in the form of cockroaches. Photograph: Nelson Almeida/AFP/Getty Images Hotter summers, and periods of intense rainfall and drought, also help them thrive as they are adapted to warm and humid environments. Provisional data for 2024 suggests scorpions were responsible for nearly 200,000 stings and 133 deaths in Brazil. In total, researchers projected 2m new cases between 2025 and 2033. 'The real scale of this issue is likely far greater than the recorded statistics suggest,' researchers said, as many people choose to treat themselves at home, or forgo treatment. 'I've been working in places where scorpion stings are a daily fear, especially in poor and crowded areas,' said Pucca. 'The numbers showed us that in the future the problem will be bigger than it is now.' Researchers said that 0.1% of reported stings result in death, and children and elderly people are most vulnerable. Healthy people generally make a full recovery, but can suffer from pain and discomfort for several days. Symptoms include pain, burning, swelling, redness, tingling and nausea. Previous research modelling the distribution of scorpions in Brazil showed the potential to expand their habitats into urban areas driven by a warmer, wetter climate. Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia, Mexico, Guyana and Venezuela have witnessed a 'particularly alarming rise in scorpionism [the medical condition resulting from a sting] over recent decades, evolving into a significant public health crisis', the researchers of the new study said. In Europe there are believed to be more than 35 native species of scorpion, although there is no comprehensive research on population trends. Researchers said prevention was key. 'Scorpions thrive in cluttered, humid environments. Keep areas clean, seal cracks in walls, use screens on drains and always check shoes, towels and clothes before using them,' said Pucca. Dr Manuela González-Suárez, an ecologist at Reading University who was not involved in the research, said: 'The numbers are much higher than I would expect, in the sense that this is a significant increase.' However, she said awareness of an issue could also result in more reporting. González-Suárez added that people should not be unduly alarmed by the research: 'Many people who are stung do not have severe or lethal reactions and mortality rates are relatively low compared with, for example, those due to road accidents or violent crimes.' Scorpion anti-venoms are available at some Brazilian hospitals and people are urged to seek treatment immediately if stung. Photograph: Nelson Almeida/AFP/Getty The Brazilian health system provides free treatment for scorpion stings, and anti-venom is available at some hospitals and emergency centres. 'If someone is stung, don't wait for symptoms to worsen – go to the nearest healthcare facility immediately,' said one of the paper's authors, Prof Eliane Candiani Arantes from the University of São Paulo. 'All people are vulnerable, especially children, because just one small sting can kill a child,' she said. Prof Nibedita Ray-Bennett, at the University of Leicester, who is president of the Avoidable Deaths Network, said the study underscored 'the urgent need for action'. Pucca said one of the most widespread misconceptions about scorpions was that they were our enemies. 'They are not. These animals act defensively, not offensively. They're part of the natural world and play essential ecological roles, from controlling pest populations to maintaining biodiversity.' Find more age of extinction coverage here, and follow the biodiversity reporters Phoebe Weston and Patrick Greenfield in the Guardian app for more nature coverage
