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Cairns yellow crazy ants: New infestation discovered near Gordonvale over 77ha

Authorities are calling on residents to be mindful of their outdoor furniture and green waste after the discovery of a new yellow crazy ant infestation over 77ha in size. What you need to know

AUTHORITIES say they’re not alarmed by the discovery of a new infestation of yellow crazy ants in a 77ha world heritage area south of Cairns but are asking residents to remain on the lookout.

The invasive ants have been present in the Far North for more than a decade and present a risk to the natural environment, which led to the launch of an official eradication program which works over 2500ha of land in the region.

The new infestation of yellow crazy ants was recently detected by the Wet Tropics Management Authority in a national park bordering with Vico St, near Gordonvale.

The authority’s executive director Scott Buchanan said the infestation was a significant size and if it remained undetected it had the potential to do a lot of damage to the world heritage area.

Wet Tropics Management Authority has discovered a yellow crazy ants infestation near Gordonvale. Picture: Alan Henderson
Wet Tropics Management Authority has discovered a yellow crazy ants infestation near Gordonvale. Picture: Alan Henderson

The authority is currently completing delimitation of the infestation and expects to begin treatment by the end of the year.

The authority’s eradication program senior technical officer Gareth Humphreys said the discovery posed no threat to nearby residents, despite the focus area being about 77ha.

“It’s a decent piece of land, it’s quite rugged, Mr Humphreys said.

“The risk here really is about the threat to the world heritage area. Yellow crazy ants, once they get established they’re really destructive in terms of their impacts to biodiversity.

Wet Tropics Management Authority has discovered a yellow crazy ants infestation near Gordonvale. The Authority's Eradication Program Senior Technical Officer Gareth Humphreys inspects the site.
Wet Tropics Management Authority has discovered a yellow crazy ants infestation near Gordonvale. The Authority's Eradication Program Senior Technical Officer Gareth Humphreys inspects the site.

“So that’s the real risk, they don’t bite, they don’t sting but they do spray formic acid.

“We don’t like to find big infestations at this point but that’s just part and parcel of eradication programs. And we’ve picked this one up with plenty of time to be able treat it and knock it out.”

Mr Humphreys said there would be five rounds of helicopter treatment by spreading a granular bait, similar to fish food and containing a chemical – fipronil – commonly used to treat termites and ticks on cats and dogs.

The first of five treatment rounds on this new site will begin in December 2022 and the Authority is confident this infestation will respond to treatment as have the other areas in similar terrain and vegetation.

Wet Tropics Management Authority has discovered a yellow crazy ants infestation near Gordonvale. The Authority's Eradication Program Senior Technical Officer Gareth Humphreys.
Wet Tropics Management Authority has discovered a yellow crazy ants infestation near Gordonvale. The Authority's Eradication Program Senior Technical Officer Gareth Humphreys.

“We use it in really low concentration toxin because otherwise the foraging ants pick it up and drop dead, but we really need them to take it back to the nest and get to the queen.”

Mr Humphreys said the ants usually spread through human movements.

“Typically these ants are moved around by human activity – whether that’s moving pot plants or garden furniture, green waste is another where they move around in dumping of green waste,” he said.

If you think you may have seen yellow crazy ants, contact the authority on 4241 0525 or yca@wtma.qld.gov.au for a free property inspection.

arun.singhmann@news.com.au

Originally published as Cairns yellow crazy ants: New infestation discovered near Gordonvale over 77ha

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Original URL: https://www.themercury.com.au/news/cairns/cairns-yellow-crazy-ants-new-infestation-discovered-near-gordonvale-over-77ha/news-story/6e6053fe28262b4a248b110c60ea1990