The next stage of the National Red Imported Fire Ant Eradication’s comprehensive 10-year plan is ready to further find, contain and destroy fire ants in South East Queensland. Is your area in their sights?
- Fire ant eradication is moving east into parts of greater Ipswich and western Logan.
- Fire ant treatment season starts 1 September 2020.
- After three years of intensive eradication treatment, the first treatment area will move to the clearance phase.
After three years of intensive treatment in Lockyer Valley, Scenic Rim and parts of Ipswich, fire ant eradication is now moving east into parts of greater Ipswich and western Logan.
National Red Imported Fire Ant Eradication Program Steering Committee Chair Dr Wendy Craik said this treatment would bring relief from fire ants in the coming months, and residents and tenants should expect a knock at the door.
“With ground temperatures rising, fire ants are starting to come out of winter hibernation to look for food and this is the perfect time to bait,” she says. “Residents in these areas, as well as some sections of the Lockyer Valley, Somerset and Scenic Rim, can expect treatment to occur in their backyards and neighbourhoods. Entry onto all properties is essential for eradicating fire ants and officers are legally authorised to enter. Fire ant bait is safe for people, as well as pets and is used according to the product labels and permits so residents should not be concerned.”
For property owners with rentals in Lowood, Purga, The Bluff, Rifle Range, Mutdapilly and Coolana, please note these areas are the latest target treatment areas. Dr Craik said there may be cross-over with some suburbs which were previously treated, but there was a buffer zone in place to protect the previous and new eradication areas from flying queen ants looking to set up a new colony.
“Our winter surveillance shows that three years of intensive eradication treatment in the Lockyer Valley,
Scenic Rim and Ipswich has knocked populations down considerably, but total clearance will take a few more years,” she further explains. “Over the course of the program’s 10-year plan, we are focused on eradication strategies, working from the western boundary of the infestation area to the east. We also have strategies in place to suppress fire ants inside the operational boundaries to minimise spread until eradication reaches those areas. Fire ant eradication is not easy, but we are seeing some promising signs for our plan to be rid of this pest.”
If you have any questions or would like to know more, feel free to give Selena a call on 0427 154 966
Source: Reiq.com
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