Dogsey

Queensland has unveiled its latest weapon in the war against fire ants.

They're cure, they're furry and they've got a keen nose for a pest that's so far cost taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars.

Three sniffer dogs named Olivia, Mikey and Willow are boldly going where corn-based baits and heat-sensing helicopters have gone before them - in search of fire and infestations.

It's been 13 years since Queensland's first invasion was discovered at the port of Brisbane, and ever since there's been a hugely expensive program underway to try to eradicate them.

The dogs will support ground eradication teams in Gladstone as part of Biosecurity Queensland's second round of fire ant surveillance.