This week, Joel (our Operations Manager) and Kuyan Rider (our General Manager) had the privilege of meeting with Austin McLennan, a Senior Entomologist working on the Red Imported Fire Ant (RIFA) Program, Charlotte Raven a PhD candidate UniSC, along with Rhian Reinberger from AdvanceYou, a great training organisation we’ve partnered with. The team met at the Berrinba depot for a hands-on, in-depth look at fire ant treatment and control efforts—and it was an incredibly informative and eye-opening experience.
Austin’s depth of knowledge on RIFA is outstanding. From their biology and nesting behaviours to the challenges of eradication, he gave us a full download on the program’s progress and what pest controllers like us can do to support it. For those unfamiliar, Solenopsis invicta—the infamous fire ant—is an invasive species originally from South America that’s been causing serious concern across South East Queensland since it was first detected here in 2001. These ants are aggressive, swarm in large numbers, and have a nasty sting that poses a threat to humans, pets, and livestock.
A particularly fascinating part of our discussion was learning about the two types of colony structures: monogyne and polygyne. Monogyne colonies are led by a single queen and tend to spread more slowly and defend territory fiercely. Polygyne colonies, on the other hand, can have multiple queens—making them far more aggressive in spreading, often forming “supercolonies” that are much harder to control.
The team also dug into the environmental factors that impact fire ant populations. While fire ants are notoriously resilient, it was interesting to see that recent floods have actually decimated fire ant nests in areas with significant water overflow. Contrary to what we often hear about their ability to survive by floating and forming living rafts, in some heavily flooded areas, the nests didn’t survive the saturation and displacement. It’s one of the rare occasions where nature gave us a bit of a break.
After meeting at the depot, the team headed out to a nearby site where Austin took us through the process of locating and treating active nests. Seeing the baiting and treatment process in action, alongside the subtle signs used to identify activity, was incredibly valuable. It’s one thing to learn this stuff in theory—but getting your boots on the ground with someone as experienced as Austin was next-level training.
Our team walked away from the day feeling more confident, more informed, and more committed than ever to working alongside the Red Imported Fire Ant program. Pest control professionals are in a unique position to assist with detection, treatment, and education. With the right training and collaboration, we can help protect our communities from this invasive threat.
A huge thanks to Austin for sharing his knowledge so generously, and to Rhian for facilitating the visit. At Allure Pest Solutions, we believe that when pest controllers and the Red Imported Fire Ant program work together, we stand a much better chance of pushing back against RIFA.
If you’re unsure whether you’ve got fire ants on your property, or just want peace of mind – reach out. We’re here to help, and we’re proud to be part of the broader effort in keeping Queensland safe. Fire ants are more than just a nuisance – they’re an aggressive, fast-spreading threat that requires expert identification, treatment, and follow-up. At Allure Pest Solutions, we don’t just treat pests – we stay ahead of them. With ongoing training, firsthand field experience, and close collaboration with the RIFA Program and industry experts, our team is equipped with the latest knowledge and techniques to effectively combat fire ants in Brisbane and beyond. Whether you’ve spotted a suspicious mound or want proactive protection, trust the team that’s trained, informed, and genuinely invested in Queensland’s safety. Reach out to Allure Pest Solutions today—we’re ready to help.