Sniffer dogs return to the Top End to help eradicate invasive browser ant species

ODOUR detection dogs are back in the spotlight in the Territory, helping to eradicate browsing ants within the next few years

Fire ant detection dog Cola during a training drill. Cola will be a part of the team helping to eradicate the invasive browser ants. PICTURE Katrina Bridgeford.

ODOUR detection dogs are back in the spotlight in the Territory, helping to eradicate browsing ants within the next few years.

Black labradors Willow and Cola are visiting the Top End and local properties, sniffing out the pest which can form super colonies and disperse native wildlife.

National Browsing Ant Eradication Program manager Riki Fulton said the dogs had a number of tactics in dealing with the ants, which have infested in 20 premises.

“The dog uses a surveillance tool where they can go to a site and are able to do the last round of our post treatment surveillance … and verify that the treatment’s been effective,” he said.

“They can also identify where a nest is.”

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The ants are also known to impact on local agriculture.

Residents are urged to call the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881 if they see a browsing ant population.