A major fire ant outbreak has broken out at a BHP coal mine in Queensland, the company has confirmed.

The outbreak was found at the BHP Broadmeadow coal mine, 150km inland from Mackay, last week.

Officers from the National Fire Ant Eradication Program visited the mine in Moranbah and destroyed a fire ant nest using direct nest injection on July 9.

The program is now trying to figure out how the ants got to Moranbah.

“The program is working closely with BHP Mitsubishi Alliance to contain, treat, and eradicate this detection,” a spokesperson for the NFAEP said.

The ants’ breach of the coal mine has been called “unacceptable” by the Invasive Species Council.

The red fire ant species, which has been moving across the state, survived recent flooding in south-east Queensland earlier this month.

The invasive pests formed “rafts” during Cyclone Alfred by linking their legs together, which allowed them to float in the floods, according to the Invasive Species Council.

Experts fear the ants had been hitching rides on vehicles and travelling to new areas.

“This flood-borne spread is a serious problem a lot of people are not aware of,” Autonomy director Amanda Lintott said earlier this month.

“Since the floods, entire (red fire ants) colonies have been filmed clinging on to debris, ready to make nests on dry ground in Queensland and beyond,”

“Experts have been reported warning that extreme weather events could sweep the highly invasive species into other parts of Australia, now and in the future.

“Private and commercial drivers often won’t even know they have unwelcome guests aboard or about their vehicle until they sting.”

Lintott said fire ants can swarm within seconds and sting simultaneously, leaving people with painful bites, which authorities say can give a sensation that the body is “on fire”.

Bites can be potentially life-threatening if a severe reaction occurs.

In that instance, people are advised to seek immediate medical attention.

Typically, most people will not need medical treatment and can apply a cold compress and take an antihistamine to manage the symptoms of the bite.

Fire ants are native to South America but were detected in Brisbane in February 2001.How they entered our borders is unknown but authorities believe they hitchhiked on shipping containers from America.

The ants are any two to six millimetres long but can cause devastating environmental, economic, social and health impacts.

“‘Fire ants are one of the world’s worst super pests and their unchecked spread will result in economic damage greater than that caused by cane toads, rabbits, feral cats and foxes combined,” Invasive Species Council advocacy manager Reece Pianta said.

“Ultimately, the risk they pose is to infest all of Australia and most of Tasmania,” Lintott said.

The community is encouraged to learn how to identify fire ants and nests, and report any findings online or call 132 ANT (13 22 68).