00:00That's more like it. They're actually a bit more like fire ants.
00:03Deadly red-imported fire ants have been discovered in Sydney's inner west,
00:08sparking fears the highly invasive pests have already spread into surrounding suburbs.
00:14A nest was detected at the Enfield Intermodal Logistics Centre,
00:18with genetic testing suggesting the ants arrived from overseas in a shipping container.
00:23The discovery comes as authorities continue battling a major fire ant infestation
00:28in southeast Queensland, although the Sydney ants are not genetically linked to that outbreak.
00:34The insects deliver painful burning stings that can cause serious allergic reactions,
00:39and in rare cases, death.
00:42Testing that has been done by the Commonwealth has now confirmed that these are a new type of ant,
00:47so they are not the same as the ants that we are working on in Queensland.
00:53They're likely to have come in from overseas through Port Botany.
00:57While the original nest has been eradicated, biosecurity teams are searching surrounding suburbs
01:03to prevent another infestation taking hold.
01:11That's more like it. They're actually a bit more like fire.
01:14of the
01:15of the
