Ants in Brisbane
Ants are among the most common pest questions in Brisbane, from tiny ants at the sink to soil piles between pavers. Parts of greater Brisbane are also within fire ant biosecurity zones.
Updated 20 September 2026
Common Brisbane ants
- Coastal brown ant: soil piles along paths and slab edges; huge multi-queen colonies.
- Ghost ant: tiny, pale ants around sinks and bathrooms.
- Black house ant: shiny black trails to sweet foods.
Fire ants
Red imported fire ants are coppery-brown with a darker abdomen, vary in size within a nest, and build flat or dome-shaped mounds with no obvious entry holes. If you suspect fire ants, do not disturb the nest — report it to the National Fire Ant Eradication Program (fireants.org.au or 13 25 23).
Read the full fire ants in South East Queensland guide and the red imported fire ant species page.
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Sources & further reading
- Queensland Museum — insects, spiders and animals of Queensland — Queensland Museum
- National Fire Ant Eradication Program — identifying and reporting fire ants — National Fire Ant Eradication Program
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