Dogs used to paws fire ant march

BIOSECURITY Queensland has unveiled its secret weapon against the scourge of fire ants ... and it’s not be sniffed at.

Detection Dogs Cannon and Calla, two of Biosecurity Queensland’s odour detection dogs with handler Justin Gibson. Photo David Kelly

â–  FIRE ANTS IN LOGAN

FIRE ants in Logan are being dealt a double whammy with special sniffer dogs being employed along with a ground baiting program.

Agricultural Minister Mark Furner said Biosecurity Queensland was using odour detection dogs with great success in ant eradication programs and were a world-first innovation.

The eight-month baiting program was started in Logan and west to Ipswich using helicopters and ground crews to spread the non-toxic bait before summer.

Member for Lytton Joan Pease and Agriculture Minister Mark Furner with fire ant detection dogs at Parliament House today. AAP/Richard Waugh

“Their extra-sensitive noses are perfect for checking areas where the program has recently completed baiting to determine if any ants have survived,” Mr Furner said.

“With the warmer weather the fire ants are on the move but so are we.

“As well as baiting, we are engaging with local communities and businesses to raise awareness and encourage reporting of suspicious ants.”

One of Biosecurity Queensland’s more popular measures was taking a Labrador, named Aka, into school classrooms to educate kids about fire ants.

Aka the fire ant tracker is a retired fire ant odour detection dog. His handler takes Aka around schools teaching students about the threats posed by fire ants.

Mr Furner said this year was the second season of a 10-year plan to eradicate fire ants in Queensland.

The 10-year strategy has started out west and will move east taking in land areas in Logan and the Gold Coast corridor.