By CAITLIN CROWLEY

RESIDENTS are being recruited to the fight against fire ants on the Darling Downs, with a new "communication and engagement" campaign launched this week urging people to check their properties for signs of the invasive species.

But farming lobby group Agforce fears the messaging misses the mark and fails to accurately identify what fire ants look like and how big of a threat they pose to regional economies and communities.

The awareness campaign is the National Fire Ant Eradication Program's latest response to the discovery of two fire ant nests at Kleinton, 17kms north west of Toowoomba, in June this year.

Red imported fire ants nest. IMAGE: Queensland G...

This article is available to Country Caller members

Memberships are $8 per month, giving full access to all of our award-winning journalism content.

By becoming a Country Caller member, you'll also receive:

  • Full access to the Country Caller mobile app for iPhone, iPad and Android
  • Our weekly newsletter delivered directly to your inbox

Country Caller memberships are essential in supporting our totally independent news service, run by experienced journalists whose mission is to advocate for rural and regional Queensland.

CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE & BECOME A MEMBER

Thanks for your consideration!

Previous articleCouncils’ concern for wind farms’ community impact
Next articleGrammar hangs on in O’Callaghan Cup nail biter
Caitlin Crowley