The National Fire Ant Eradication Program’s fire ant treatment products containing either pyriproxyfen or S-methoprene are safe for mammals, including birds and livestock, such as cattle, sheep, pigs, and horses.
To answer community questions about the safety of fire ant treatment for mammals, the Program engaged an independent expert toxicologist.
The toxicologist confirmed that both pyriproxyfen and S-methoprene have very low acute toxicity to mammals, based on previous studies. The risk of adverse effects on mammals is negligible provided that the products are used in accordance with their label directions.
Fire ant treatment consists of small pieces of corn grit soaked in soybean oil with a low concentration of an insect growth regulator (IGR), either pyriproxyfen or S-methoprene.
The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) assesses the proposed use and has deemed that the products used to treat fire ants are safe for people, animals, and the environment.
The Therapeutic Goods (Poisons Standard) Instrument does not classify these IGRs as poisons. These IGRs break the life cycle of insect pests by preventing the production of viable young.
IGRs mimic the juvenile hormone that is naturally produced in the bodies of insects and other invertebrates. This hormone does not occur in mammals or birds and has no known action in vertebrate bodies.
Outside of the Program, these classes of chemicals are commonly used in parasite control products for dogs and cats and numerous agricultural applications.
There is no evidence that fire ant treatment has caused poisoning or death in any vertebrate species.
Any reports of suspected adverse reactions to fire ant treatment should be referred to the APVMA’s Adverse Experience Reporting Program.
Visit fireants.org.au or call 132 ANT (13 22 68) to learn more about fire ants and eradication treatment.
