Invasive Argentine ants difficult to eradicate

MEDIA RELEASE

Invasive Argentine ants difficult to eradicate

For immediate release: Monday 12 January 2009

Environment Bay of Plenty is changing the way it deals with Argentine ants, one of the world’s most widespread invasive ant species. The move recognises that eradication is no longer feasible.

“The regional council will continue to provide ant identification services and advice on Argentine ant control and will only become directly involved in control operations where they threaten areas of significant community value such as high value biodiversity sites,” Environment Bay of Plenty Group Manager Land Management Warwick Murray said.

“Despite active surveillance and control of known Argentine ant infestations it is clear that eradication of this pest will not be achieved,” he said.

“Environment Bay of Plenty has spent significant time and money trying to eradicate known populations of the ant within the region but this has not been successful because of the difficulty in getting to every nest and keeping new incursions out of the region.”

He says the task is made even more difficult because Argentine ants are great hitch-hikers. “They establish nests in anything from potted plants and garden mulch to rubbish and recycling bins. There are currently 28 known sites in Tauranga, Mount Maunganui, Rotorua and Whakatane.

“Even if we were able to eradicate these known infestations in the Bay of Plenty, it would be highly likely that new arrivals will come in from neighbouring regions where control is not being undertaken.”

Environment Bay of Plenty has written to property owners in the region who live in areas known to have Argentine ants, advising them of the change

Argentine ants are currently classified as eradication pest animals in the Bay of Plenty Regional Pest Management Strategy (2003 – 2008). This strategy is currently under review and as part of the submission process members of the public will be able to have their say as to what level of control they would like to see for various animals, including Argentine ants.

If you suspect you have Argentine ants present on your property, collect a sample (freeze them overnight) and bring them to an Environment Bay of Plenty office for identification.

For more information on Argentine ants please go to www.envbop.govt.nz or ring 0800
ENV BOP (368 267) or visit www.biosecurity.govt.nz

ENDS

Facts about Argentine ants

The Argentine ant is not poisonous and has no sting but can bite and may cause a mild irritation or localised skin reaction.

Argentine ant workers are small (2mm to 3mm long), and a uniform honey-brown colour, but can look brown/grey when foraging in urban areas. Most common household ants in New Zealand are black.

Argentine ants are a similar size and colour to some of our native ants, but unlike native ants which only live outdoors, Argentine ants can be found both inside and outside of buildings.

The ants eat a very wide range of foods and invade native ecosystems and displace native species. They produce multiple queens and can form huge super-colonies that extend for thousands of kilometres.

Argentine ants form distinctive trails that may be five or more ants wide, and they will often immediately walk straight over objects that are placed across their trails. Most other ants in this situation become confused for a while if objects are placed across their trails.

ENDS

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