Australian Advocacy Group

Support grows, as awareness is raised, to stop the Fire Ant Eradication Scam. A correlation of public released material was organised by a Gold Coast group who are concerned about the adverse effects the NFAEP is having on human, environmental, eco-system, wildlife, and domestic animal health. I publish their work (with permission) here.

Environmental and Ecological Impact of Fire Ant Chemicals in National Parks and Natural Areas
(Claudine Jane – member of project, Warrior at Law – warrioratlaw.org)
Introduction
Fire ants (Solenopsis invicta) are an invasive species that pose significant ecological and
economic threats. Chemical treatments, including insect growth regulators (IGRs) like
pyriproxyfen and methoprene, are commonly used to control fire ant populations. However,
scientific evidence indicates that these chemicals should be applied strictly for targeted
eradication of confirmed infestations rather than as a blanket preventative measure. Misuse of
these treatments can lead to unintended ecological consequences, including harm to non-target
species, potential resistance development in fire ants, and disruption of natural ecosystems.
Chemical Composition and Function
Fire ant control chemicals primarily fall into two categories:

• Insect Growth Regulators (IGRs): Pyriproxyfen and methoprene interfere with the
  normal development of insects by mimicking their juvenile hormones, preventing larvae from
  maturing into reproductive adults.
• Neurotoxic Insecticides: Chemicals such as indoxacarb, spinosad, and
  hydramethylnon target the nervous system, leading to paralysis and death.
  While IGRs do not kill ants immediately, they inhibit their ability to reproduce, leading to colony
  collapse over time. However, these chemicals also have unintended consequences for
  non-target species.
  Harm to Non-Target Species
  Impact on Native Bees
  Scientific research has shown that pyriproxyfen and methoprene can negatively impact bee
  populations. These chemicals interfere with the development of honey bee larvae, leading to
  malformations in adult bees and impairing their ability to perform essential colony functions such
  as foraging and pollination. Native bee species, which play a crucial role in maintaining
  biodiversity, may experience similar detrimental effects if exposed to these chemicals.
• Pyriproxyfen: Alters the development of bees, leading to impaired flight muscles
  and gland function, which affects their ability to forage and pollinate effectively.
• Methoprene: Disrupts larval development, leading to increased mortality and
  malformed adult bees.

The use of these chemicals in national parks and conservation areas could therefore
significantly disrupt pollination networks, affecting plant reproduction and ecosystem stability.
Impact on Small Marsupials and Mammals
While pyriproxyfen and methoprene have been classified as having low acute toxicity in
mammals, anecdotal reports suggest potential adverse effects on small marsupials and
livestock. Some studies have noted unexplained deaths of calves and domestic animals in
areas treated with fire ant bait, raising concerns about the broader ecological impact of these
chemicals.
Additionally, these insecticides can disrupt food chains by eliminating insect populations that
serve as prey for small marsupials, reptiles, and birds. The cascading effects of such disruptions
could contribute to population declines in sensitive species.
Risk of Resistance Development
Repeated use of fire ant chemicals, particularly when applied preventatively in the absence of
confirmed infestations, increases the risk of resistance development. Resistance occurs when a
subset of the fire ant population survives treatment and passes on resistance traits to future
generations. Research has documented resistance to various insecticides in fire ants, including
indoxacarb, demonstrating that these pests can adapt to chemical control measures over time.
If resistance develops, fire ants may become harder to control, necessitating higher doses or
stronger chemicals, which in turn exacerbate environmental damage. Using fire ant treatments
only when infestations are detected helps mitigate the risk of resistance and preserves the
efficacy of existing control measures.
Disruption of National Park Ecosystems
The application of fire ant chemicals in national parks can have unintended consequences,
including:

1. Reduction of Native Ant Populations: Studies have found that chemical fire ant
   treatments reduce both fire ant populations and native ant species, potentially disrupting natural
   competition and allowing other invasive species to thrive.
2. Contamination of Soil and Water: Some insecticides persist in the environment,
   potentially contaminating water sources and harming aquatic life.
3. Disruption of Ecological Balance: By eliminating key insect populations, fire ant
   treatments can inadvertently affect insectivorous birds, reptiles, and mammals, leading to
   cascading ecological consequences.
   Non-Chemical Methods for Fire Ant Control

Effective non-chemical methods exist for managing fire ant infestations without the
environmental risks associated with chemical treatments. These approaches focus on biological
control, habitat modification, and natural deterrents.

1. Biological Control Agents

• Phorid Flies (Pseudacteon spp.): These parasitoid flies target fire ants by laying
  eggs in the ants’ bodies. The developing larvae eventually cause the ant’s head to detach,
  leading to the ant’s death. Phorid flies have been introduced in various regions as a natural
  method to suppress fire ant populations. (en.wikipedia.org)
• Entomopathogenic Fungi: Fungi such as Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium
  anisopliae infect and kill fire ants. These fungi occur naturally and can be applied to infested
  areas to help control fire ant colonies. (en.wikipedia.org)

1. Natural Deterrents

• Essential Oils: Certain essential oils have been found to repel or kill fire ants. For
  example, orange essential oil contains d-limonene, which can destroy the exoskeletons of ants,
  leading to their death. A mixture of dish soap and orange essential oil has been reported as an
  effective natural solution against fire ants. (barefeetonthedashboard.com)
• Diatomaceous Earth: This natural, silica-based powder can be applied around
  fire ant mounds. It works by dehydrating ants upon contact. However, its effectiveness can be
  reduced in moist conditions, and it may not eliminate entire colonies when used alone.
  (agriculture.okstate.edu)

1. Mechanical Methods

• Boiling Water: Pouring boiling water directly onto fire ant mounds can kill a
  significant number of ants, including the queen if reached. This method may require multiple
  applications and should be used cautiously to avoid harming surrounding vegetation or causing
  soil erosion.

1. Environmental Management

• Habitat Modification: Altering the environment to make it less hospitable for fire
  ants can help control their populations. This includes reducing moisture sources, managing
  vegetation to minimize shelter, and eliminating food sources that attract fire ants.
  Conclusion
  While fire ant control is necessary to prevent ecological and economic damage, the use of
  chemical treatments as a blanket preventative measure is both ineffective and environmentally
  harmful. Research demonstrates that these chemicals can negatively impact native bees, small
  marsupials, and other wildlife, disrupt pollination networks, and contribute to resistance

development in fire ants. Their application in national parks should be strictly limited to targeted
eradication efforts where infestations have been confirmed. Implementing non-chemical control
strategies and minimizing chemical exposure are crucial steps in preserving biodiversity and
ecosystem stability.
Sources

1. PMC – Effects of Pyriproxyfen on Honey Bees
2. Beyond Pesticides – Effects of Methoprene on Bees
3. PMC – Fire Ant Resistance to Indoxacarb
4. APHIS – Environmental Impact of Fire Ant Pesticides
5. USDA – Fire Ant Management Strategies
6. Oklahoma State University – Non-Chemical Fire Ant Control
   ……….
   My name is Trevor Hold, a farmer, counsellor and mental health practitioner from the Lockyer
   Valley, Queensland, and I am reaching out to seek your support on a critical issue affecting our
   state.
   The current National Fire Ant Eradication Program (the program) is devastating our ecosystem
   and harming livestock, pets, wildlife, aquatic life and even human health. In response, people
   across Queensland are protesting and advocating for natural, safer alternatives to manage fire
   ants and support with diverse non-toxic treatment options. There is a Queensland parliment
   sponsored e-petition which I initiated to demonstrate to the program and decision makers that a
   significant number of Queenslanders are unhappy with the current policies surrounding the
   program.
   So far, over 5,000 Queenslander have signed the petition, both digitally and offline. The
   e-petition is available on the Queensland government website.
   https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Work-of-the-Assembly/Petitions/Petition-Details?id=4178
   I urge you to add your voice by signing the e-petition. Please share it with your family,
   neighbors, and any Queensland relatives. Your support can make a significant difference in
   protecting our ecosystem and ensuring a safer future for our community.
   As Queenslanders, together we can safeguard both our state and Australia.
   If you have any questions or require additional information please feel free to reach out.
   Thank you for your time and support.

Best regards,
Trevor Hold
0401 517 906
trevor.hold79@gmail.com.au
……..
Australian First and Only
Fire Ant Non-Toxic Management Process.
My name is Trevor Hold, Managing Director of HOLD Technologies Pty Ltd (ABN 96 109 935
891). I am writing regarding my registered commercial business, Australian Advocacy Group,
and the licenced technology I have procured to treat fire ants.
Utilising decades of research and knowledge of fire ants, from the Biology Department of the
University of Central Florida, who have one of the most active, continuously (US)
federally-funded research programs in the world, with the specific aims of understanding the
biology and ecology of fire ants and how fire ants interact with species in the ecosystems they
invade, the business has invested in an Australian version of an environmentally safe insect
control system. U.S. Patent No. 10,716,302. Inventor: Joshua R. King. Issued July 21, 2020,
and have licenced the technology through the University of Central Florida (UCFRF-TT-100696
– License: 2025-0047).
I have been actively engaged in commissioning this technology, learning the process and know
how required to operate the technology successfully and engaging in commercial fire ant
management operations over the past few months to create an effective Australian version of
this non-toxic management technology for fire ants that is similar to the ones used in the US
managing fire ant populations in sensitive environments (organic farms, wetlands, along creeks
and river banks, schools, parks and other public places where people frequent) and in defence
of threatened and endangered wildlife affected by fire ants.
This process uses an on demand, continuous hot water supply and is very successful in killing
fire ant Queens and Brood, including polygyny (multiple Queen) colonies, with a very high
success rate. Generally, approximately 10 percent of the colony are killed in the nest with the
Queen and Brood, leaving 90% of the colony still out frolicking doing ant business. Returning to
the treated nest, these ants may start rebuilding and re-establishing the colony, however, with
no Queen or Brood these ants have no purpose and will simply die over the coming days or
weeks (depending on circumstances).
The success rate is reduced on occasions, especially in high infestation areas, where there are
Queens, who haven’t the body fat required to establish their own colony move into the treated
colony nest and the workers who are still rebuilding the nest adopt her and continue business as

usual with a new Queen. This is one of the reasons why this species is classed as a super pest,
due to the multiple ways available to establish colonies. When this occurs a retreatment of hot
water will effectively Kill the Queen and Brood again. This is why monitoring off treated nest
after 2 months of initial treatment is recommended.
Providing alternatives to chemical treatments creates better outcomes in managing fire ants and
will incentivise those who have fire ants on their private property, who don’t want to use
chemicals, to report them to get treated using an eco-friendlier treatment option. In addition,
adding alternatives to the mix of managing fire ants can mitigate the disadvantages of a
chemical only approach including,

1. repeated, excess exposure to chemicals creates an immunity and resistance to the chemicals
   in fire ant infestations,
2. repeated, excess exposure to chemicals creates a phenomenon called bait shyness, where
   fire ants ignore the toxic chemicals and fail to take them back to the nest,
3. chemical approaches impact native species of ants (and other non-target species), without
   native species of ants the fire ants (a super pest) will invade new areas quicker and with greater
   intensity than they would without chemical intervention, and finally,
4. chemicals create adverse effects to non-target species, including humans, with some of the
   chemicals used to directly, chemical treat, fire ant nests containing PFAS chemicals, forever,
   carcinogenic (cancer causing) chemicals.
   If you have any questions or would like any additional information, please feel free to reach out.
   Kind regards,
   Trevor Hold
   0401 517 906
   trevor.hold79@gmail.com
   Fighting Fire Ants……
   using the hot water treatment method has many advantages.
5. This is a direct nest treating method which replaces the need to use carcinogenic, forever
   chemicals, containing harmful PFAS chemicals. The program uses many products, like Advion
   (registered to use ‘off label’ by the APVMA), with Indoxacarb to directly treat fire ant nests.
   Indoxacarb has trifluoromethoxy, in its formula, which is a PFAS chemical.*
6. Direct fire ant nest treatment creates opportunity to access and understand infestation without
   creating adverse affects to non-target species. Distribution of Engage and Distance ant bait to
   prophylactically treat for fire ants creates non-target adverse effects, in particular, native ants.

Native ants, with monitoring and human intervention, assist in minimising fire ant distribution
and infestation.

3. Sensitive eco-systems, along rivers, creeks and waterways ways, including dams and water
   channels benefit from using the hot water treatment method because it prevents toxic
   chemicals, namely pyriproxyfen and s-methoprene used by the program, polluting and having
   devastating impacts on aquatic life.
4. Rain has no impact on the hot water treatment method. Chemicals used by the program
   should not be distributed when rain fall is predicted or when rain is Imminent to avoid negative
   outcomes and environmental damage.
   Though the biggest advantage is you get to meet and work with me.
   If you have fire ants and want to discuss the hot water method and how I can help you, please
   feel free to reach out.
   Trevor Hold
   0401 517 906
   trevor.hold79@gmai.com

• The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) defines PFAS as
  fluorinated substances that contain at least one fully fluorinated methyl or methylene carbon
  atom.