Title: The real facts on the red fire ant program in Australia
Vast areas of Queensland are being poisoned and damaged by the failed red fire ant eradication program. The ant cannot be eradicated with pesticides. Thousands of residents are protesting the imposed poisoning in Queensland. Fire ant pesticide applicators are now being accompanied by armed police officers in an effort to bully residents into submission.
Professor Joshua King is one of the world's most respected experts on fire ant management. Attached is an open letter explaining the facts you will not hear from the Invasive Species Council or Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
Professor Kings says, "Of particular concern is that the widespread and prophylactic use of toxic broadcast baits may impact non-target ants (both pyriproxyfen and (S)-methoprene are insect growth regulators) as none of the bait products in use are fire ant specific."
”Reduction of native ant communities has repeatedly been shown to be a factor in hastening, not slowing, the invasion of fire ants as any potential biotic resistance is removed, and fire ants are especially good at dispersing into ant-free successional habitats."
"Underlying the entire eradication program, as currently being carried out, seems to be the assumption that eradication is feasible and ultimately justifies the methods being used to attempt to eradicate and prevent further invasion of Australia by the fire ant. It is very important to note that, in the face of ongoing introductions, no eradication program has ever succeeded in preventing fire ant establishment and spread over larger areas and longer time spans."
Key Findings:
Excessive use of toxic baits, risking ecological damage and non-target impacts
Lack of alternative management approaches, neglecting sensitive ecosystems
Historical failures of eradication programs, potentially hastening fire ant spread
