Yellow Crazy Ant Community Taskforce March 2021 Update

Wet Tropics Management Authority’s field teams have completed a yellow crazy ant survey at the Green Forest Road infestation. The survey during March, used a lure on the ground which was left for an hour, and then checked for the absence or presence of yellow crazy ants. No insecticides were used.

Fury, the odour detection dog, with her handler, Stuart Biggs surveyed for yellow crazy ants around one of the residential properties where lures weren’t used. No yellow crazy ants were found during the survey, which is great news for Kuranda and Green Forest residents living inside the infestation area. More surveys are required to ensure no yellow crazy ants remain.

On 3 March, Taskforce volunteer Tim Brown and myself joined the Wet Tropics Management Authority’s Yellow Crazy Ant Eradication Program and Biosecurity Queensland’s National Electric Ant Eradication Program to deliver a presentation about yellow crazy ants and electric ants to Mareeba Shire Council’s Mayor, Councillors and executive staff.

Councillors learned about the impacts of the invasive ants, how both eradication programs are progressing and what Mareeba Shire Council could do to support the eradication of yellow crazy ants and electric ants in the Mareeba Local Government Area.

Councillors were engaged and asked many questions throughout the presentation. The councillors were able to see live specimens of electric ants and yellow crazy ants, as well as viewing video of a high density yellow crazy ant infestation. Feedback from the presentation was very positive and resulted in renewed support for the eradication of both yellow crazy ants and electric ants throughout the Mareeba Shire Council area.

Thank you Mareeba Shire Council!

On 26 March 2021, the Taskforce launched a brand new website, communitytaskforce.org.au, to the world, followed by a launch event in Kuranda to showcase the website to Kuranda locals.

There was an invasive ant information stall and free sausage sizzle at FoodWorks Kuranda, where locals were asked for their feedback on the new website.  It was a great day, with locals asking many questions about invasive ants in the area.

The website is for new volunteers and locals to stay informed about invasive ant news and taskforce activities in the Kuranda and region.

We are grateful to the Kuranda community for their support, FoodWorks Kuranda for the venue and sausage sizzle donation and our dear and valued Taskforce volunteers Tim Brown, Adam Walker, Daniel, Janice, Cathy Retter and Mark Palmer.

Don’t forget to check out communitytaskforce.org.au!

As part of extended surveys searching for yellow crazy ants outside the known Green Forest infestation, the Authority’s monitoring team has been surveying properties along Green Forest Road since 1 February 2021.

Five properties on Green Forest Road have been surveyed so far. The team is also searching for electric ants as some properties are within an electric ant restriction zone. No yellow crazy ants or electric ants have been detected to date.

Volunteer and join the Taskforce or stay informed about yellow crazy ants in our area.

Calling on volunteers to join me in delivering a yellow crazy and electric ant presentation on the 14 April 2021 to Cairns Regional Council’s Green Space, Our Space volunteers. To get involved contact Ciara at coordinator@communitytaskforce.org.au.

The Wet Tropics Management Authority and Far North Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils are hosting a Yellow Crazy Ant Taskforce on 17-21 May 2021.

The 2021 taskforce will survey for yellow crazy ants in sugarcane farming areas that have previously received minimal survey effort. The work of the taskforce this year is vital to provide a high level of confidence that all YCA infestations in the district have been identified. We have a lot of ground to cover. To do it we need as many people as possible this year.