Fire ants have been found at a fifth location on the Sunshine Coast.
Multiple nests were destroyed in Palmview on Wednesday after they were found by a property developer and reported the previous day.
The nests are outside the containment boundary line which was introduced when fire ants were discovered near Yandina in January and Nirimba, Banya and Currimundi last year.
Invasive Species Council Advocacy Manager, Reece Pianta, said “A lot of these nests are from the gap in treatment from underfunding 18 months ago.”
“This really highlights how disappointing it is that the major parties have not committed to boosting fire ant eradication funding in this election campaign.
“Fire ants are one of the world’s worst super pests and their unchecked spread will result in economic damage greater than that caused by cane toads, rabbits, feral cats and foxes combined.
“An increase in funding now could save Australia billions in fire ant costs each year, not to mention the immeasurable cost to our environment, wildlife and lifestyles,” Mr Pianta said.
