I'm Jon from Deadset Pest Management, a licensed pest technician based in Logan. I provide fire ant treatment in Logan, fire ant treatment in Brisbane's southside, and cover Jimboomba, Flagstone, Yarrabilba and nearby suburbs. I've been in pest control for 12 years and I'm licensed and insured (QBCC 15076438). As a licensed pest technician, I'm authorised to carry out fire ant treatments.
Why fire ants are a serious problem
Red imported fire ants are one of the worst invasive pests in Australia, and South East Queensland is where the fight is happening. Disturb a nest and the ants swarm out and sting repeatedly.
The stings burn, then turn into itchy welts and pustules. Some people have severe allergic reactions, and kids playing on the lawn and pets nosing around the yard are most at risk. If someone has trouble breathing or swelling of the face or throat after being stung, call 000.
Fire ants are copper brown with a darker abdomen, and workers in the same nest range from about 2 to 6 millimetres. Nests are dome-shaped mounds or flat patches of loose soil, often around 30 centimetres wide, with no obvious entry hole. My guide on how to identify fire ants has more detail.
Living inside the fire ant biosecurity zone
Large parts of South East Queensland, including much of Logan and Ipswich, sit inside the fire ant biosecurity zone. The Queensland Government sets the zones under the Biosecurity Act 2014 and updates them as new nests are found, so check your address on the fire ant biosecurity zones map.
Everyone in Queensland has a general biosecurity obligation to take reasonable steps to stop fire ants spreading. In practice that means:
- Reporting suspected fire ants within 24 hours of finding them
- Treating fire ants found on your property
- Following the rules for moving soil, mulch, turf, hay, manure, potted plants and similar materials
Those materials can carry fire ants to new areas. If you're landscaping, building or getting rid of soil, check the program's rules on moving materials first, because penalties apply.
How to report fire ants
Report suspected fire ants straight away, either online at fireants.org.au or by calling 13 22 68 (132 ANT).
You don't need a photo. If you want one, the program suggests poking the nest with a long stick, then stepping back to watch the ants come out. Never touch the ants or the nest with your hands.
Depending on where you live, the program may treat the nest or send you free bait. In parts of the zone, residents are responsible for treating their own property, and that's where I come in.
- QBCC licence 15076438
- Termatrac iTracker
- 12-month internal warranty
- 12 years licensed
How I treat fire ant nests
I check the whole property, not just the mound you've spotted. There are often several nests across a yard, and new queens can start colonies some distance from the first one.
Fire ant nest treatment usually involves one or both of these methods:
- Bait spread in a ring around nests and across the wider area, which foraging workers carry back to the queen
- Direct nest injection, which destroys a mound quickly and suits nests close to where people and pets spend time
Under the program's rules, only licensed pest managers can use fipronil for direct nest injection. I hold that licence, so I can use the full range of approved treatments and pick the one that suits your yard.
Timing matters. Bait works best on a dry day of 20°C or more, with no rain forecast for two days either side. Afterwards, the ground should stay undisturbed and unwatered for 48 hours, and an injected mound needs a one-metre area left alone for at least seven days. I'll tell you exactly what to avoid before I leave.
Why DIY can make it worse
Dig up, flood, pour boiling water on or spray a fire ant nest with household insecticide and the surface ants die, but the queen often survives. The colony then moves or splits and sets up somewhere else on the property, or next door.
If you use the program's free bait, spread it about a metre from the centre of the nest rather than on top, and leave the area alone. If nests keep coming back, or there are lots of them, it's time for professional fire ant control.
Not sure they're fire ants? Plenty of native ants build mounds too, and my ant control page covers the common Brisbane species.
Acreage and new estates
Fire ants spread fast in open, sunny ground with disturbed soil, so fire ants in Jimboomba are a familiar story. Acreage blocks around Jimboomba, Logan Village and Greenbank have paddocks, dams and long driveways, and broadcast baiting across the whole property makes more sense there than chasing single mounds. See pest control in Jimboomba for more on that area.
New estates in Yarrabilba and Flagstone have fresh turf, imported soil and ongoing earthworks, all of which can bring fire ants in. If you've just moved in, check lawn edges and garden beds often.
What affects the cost of fire ant treatment
I don't publish set prices. The cost of fire ant control depends on:
- How many nests there are and how spread out they are
- Property size, from a suburban block to acreage
- Whether direct nest injection is needed as well as baiting
- How many follow-up treatments it takes
- Access, such as steep ground, dams or long grass
I'll look at the property and give you a fixed quote before I start.
Google reviews
See what Logan and Brisbane customers say about Jon.
Robyn
2 years ago
Had the pleasure of meeting Jon today. Very professional, affordable and an amazing service. I would 100% recommend to anyone who needs pest management
Lily Petersen
4 years ago
Jon was professional and prompt with his service and very easy to deal with .He is very honest and very efficient .Nothing is too big a problem and he also is very obliging. I would have no hesitation in recommending Jon and his business and will continue to use him and his services when required.
Rebekah Kelly
4 years ago
We recently had Jon out to do a termite inspection and pest control. The cost was slightly more than we have paid for others but after having him out we think it was well worth it. We were impressed with his services and booked him to do a termite protection barrier. He was on time for both services and we found him to be both friendly and professional. We had a small problem with a pipe after the termite protection but Jon was out within half an hour and sorted the whole issue out for us. Would highly recommend using Deadset and we will be using them again.
Fire ant questions
Do I have to report fire ants before getting them treated?
Yes. You're legally required to report suspected fire ants within 24 hours of finding them, online at fireants.org.au or on 13 22 68.
Can I treat fire ants myself?
Residents can treat fire ants on their own property with approved bait, and the program may send free bait after you report. Follow the instructions closely. Direct nest injection with fipronil is limited to licensed pest managers.
How long does fire ant treatment take to work?
Bait needs time to be carried back to the colony, so it can take several weeks to destroy a nest. Direct nest injection is much faster.
What happens if I mow over a fire ant nest?
You'll probably be stung, and the colony may move and spread. Mark the nest, keep people and pets away, and report it before mowing near it.
Are fire ant treatments safe for children and pets?
I follow product labels, Queensland Government guidelines and the program's directions. Keep kids and pets off treated ground for the time I advise, usually at least 48 hours.
Do you provide fire ant control in Brisbane?
Yes. I provide fire ant control in Brisbane's southside as well as Logan, Jimboomba, Flagstone, Yarrabilba, Park Ridge, Beenleigh and Ipswich.
Can fire ants come back after treatment?
Yes, if new queens fly in from nearby or infested soil is brought in. Keep checking lawns and garden beds, and if new mounds appear, report them and give me a call.
Can I move soil or mulch from my yard?
Not freely inside the fire ant biosecurity zone. Rules cover soil, mulch, turf and similar materials, and some movements need a permit. Check fireants.org.au first.
Book a fire ant treatment
Found fire ants? Report them first, then call me on 0412 205 586 or request a quote online. I'll inspect the property, treat the nests and explain what to do next. After hours, text 0412 205 586 with a good time to call.