31 March 2021
Key points:
- Gold Coast residents can treat their own yards as part of a coordinated suburban blitz against fire ants next month
- By signing up to treat your property at the same time as your neighbours, you significantly increase the effectiveness of treatment
Gold Coast residents can do their bit to help stop the spread of fire ants by treating their own yards as part of a coordinated suburban blitz next month.
Arundel, Parkwood, Pacific Pines and Maudsland were chosen for the blitz, which is run by the National Red Imported Fire Ant Eradication Program.
National Program General Manager Graeme Dudgeon said the community played a big part in the success of this type of fire ant treatment.
“For this to work, the community needs to work together as a group to help stamp out fire ants in their suburb,” he said.
Registrations are now open and residents who are registered will receive the free treatment.
Residents living in Arundel and Parkwood will receive fire ant treatment from the program’s field teams and those in Pacific Pines and Maudsland will receive free fire ant treatment kits with instructions on how to treat their own yard.
“We all want to stop the spread of fire ants in South East Queensland and we would love every property in these suburbs under one acre to be treated,” Mr Dudgeon said.
“You may not have fire ants in your backyard but your neighbours might. This is an opportunity for you to treat your property at the same time as your neighbours, which increases the effectiveness of treatment in your area.”
The National Red Imported Fire Ant Eradication Program is a nationally cost-shared program funded by all Australian state and territory governments, and the federal government. The Queensland Government’s funding contribution is 10 per cent.
The program is governed strategically and operationally by a national Steering Committee and independent chair, who work with Biosecurity Queensland to deliver the program on behalf of the other jurisdictions.
Residents have until 10 May 2021 to register for the Gold Coast blitz and if they are carrying out fire ant treatment themselves, will receive their free bait from 19 May 2021. A community treatment blitz weekend will follow on 22-23 May 2021.
This project complements program treatment already underway across the Lockyer Valley, Scenic Rim, Ipswich and Logan.
Phone 13 25 23 for more information.