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14 December 2018—The Wet Tropics Management Authority has announced the eradication of yellow crazy ants from the residences and surrounding forested area at Waterfall Close, Edmonton – the third site where yellow crazy ants have been successfully eradicated under the Authority’s Yellow Crazy Ant Eradication Program.
A call from the public in early 2015 triggered the detection of the 7.1-hectare Waterfall Close infestation. Since detection, teams delivered six ground treatments and surveyed repeatedly, collecting a total of 14,941 data points. No yellow crazy ants have been detected at this site since July 2016.
To confirm yellow crazy ants have been eradicated from a site after treatment, four surveys are undertaken at least six months apart. All of these surveys must show there is no yellow crazy ant activity at the site.
The Authority’s executive director, Scott Buchanan, said “We thank local residents for their support as we worked to eradicate this invasive pest from their backyards and surrounding forest.”
“The eradication continues to reinforce the benefits of working collaboratively with the community to bring about great outcomes in the fight to eradicate yellow crazy ants
“This good news is tempered by a reminder for people to be vigilant as we come into the cyclone season and start to clean up our properties,” Mr Buchanan said.
Dumping of garden clippings, plants and other vegetation is a major cause of ants being spread and use of council transfer stations is recommended.
Mr Buchanan said “People living in the yellow crazy ant infestation area are asked to continue to be vigilant especially when dumping vegetation and waste. Garden waste can be a major cause of ants being spread. We recommended that garden waste from infestation areas only be dumped at council transfer stations.
“For residents who hire skips, we recommend you contact the program to seek advice on whether treatment of the skip is required before collection.
“Being vigilant and stopping the spread of this invasive pest is important – to people’s quality of life and the unique plants and animals of the World Heritage Area that surrounds our city,” he said.
The control of yellow crazy ant infestations in and adjacent to the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area is supported through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program and the Queensland Department of Environment and Science.
With yellow crazy ants now eradicated from three known sites within the program’s target area, and numbers of ants at treated infestation sites edging closer toward eradication, the Authority is currently seeking further funding from the Australian and Queensland governments beyond 30 June 2019 to sustain and replicate these successes.
Anyone who suspects they have yellow crazy ants are encouraged to contact the Wet Tropics Management Authority on email YCA@wtma.qld.gov.au or call 4241 0525 (office closed 24 Dec 18 – 2 January 19).
To find out if you live in an infested area, visit www.wettropics.gov.au/do-you-live-in-an-infestation-area.
About the Wet Tropics Management Authority
The Wet Tropics Management Authority’s role is to protect the outstanding universal value of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area as required under relevant Queensland and Commonwealth legislation.
About the Yellow Crazy Ant Eradication Program
The control of yellow crazy ant infestations in and adjacent to the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area is supported through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program and the Queensland Department of Environment and Science.
Yellow crazy ants are restricted biosecurity matter under the Biosecurity Act 2014. Suspected yellow crazy ant sightings can be reported by contacting Biosecurity Queensland on 13 25 23.
