$1m boosts safeguards against feisty fire ant

The Government has given the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry a special fund of $1.1 million to monitor any further spread of red fire ants.

A nest of red fire ants was found - and destroyed - at Auckland Airport in February.

It was the first recorded New Zealand sighting of the pests, native to South America, which threaten other insects, plant life and small animals.

They are already widely established on the east coast of Australia, where Professor Andrew Beattie, director of the Centre for Biodiversity at Macquarie University in Sydney, has described their potential impact as "worse than foot-and-mouth in economic terms".

Australian authorities are spending $A123 million ($NZ152 million) to try to eradicate them with a campaign which includes searching every house within 5km of an infestation and using toxic chemicals at the site for three years if nests are found, plus aerial spraying.

A New Zealand expert on invasive insects, Professor Mick Clout of Auckland University, has warned there is a slim chance that the Auckland Airport site was the only nest.

In March, MAF alerted homes within 5km of the airport, and vets and doctors were advised to look out for likely injuries from the ants so any other infestations could be traced.

The MAF programme coordinator, Amelia Pascoe, said yesterday that the $1 million would target surveillance at New Zealand's ports and airports, and surrounding land over the summer to confirm there were no surviving colonies.

Sites where containers are unpacked would also be checked. The programme would include visual surveillance, pit fall traps and laying baited ground traps.

It is extremely difficult for someone to distinguish fire ants from a New Zealand ant simply by looking at them. The ants inject a toxin like a bee or wasp which can be potentially harmful to people who have allergies.

Professor Beattie has studied ants for more than 30 years, particularly in the United States, where over 70 years millions of dollars have been spent in unsuccessful eradication programmes.

"They are the animal equivalent of weeds," he said.

"Homeowners with infestations on their properties will find it near impossible to sell their homes because they can never be sure the ant has been eradicated.

"If it's here, it's probably here to stay."

The ants also pose a threat to farm animals, native animals and crops.

Grazing animals have disturbed colonies and the ants have got into their eyes and muzzles, driving them crazy with the stinging.

Facts and figures:

* Fire ants are a golden to reddish-brown colour and up to 6mm long.

* They can give a painful sting that causes intense itching followed by small white pustules (or blisters).

* In the United States, more than 80 people have died from fire ant attacks out of doors, and 10 from attacks indoors.

* Outdoors, they can be found in mounds up to 45cm high and 60cm in diameter (pictures are on the MAF website www.maf.govt.nz/fire-ants).

* Ants may sometimes start a new nest near an existing colony if they are disturbed, so be careful not to disturb suspected nests.

* Suspected sightings can be reported on 0800 809-966.

- NZPA