ENVIRONMENT

Recent fire ant find in North Arm

Multiple fire ant nests were found in January this year at North Arm, near Yandina. This is the most northern sighting on the Sunshine Coast. The small, localised infestation was treated immediately with a direct injection into the nest with fipronil.

Fire ant infestations should not be ignored as they have the potential to change our environment and make it difficult to use our properties as we have in the past. These tiny ants are opportunistic carnivores and although their bite is less painful than one bull ant, they act as an army and use their venom – not as a defence – but to take down meat. Insects, including other ants, ground-dwelling marsupials, lizards, pets, stock and people are all made of meat and therefore vulnerable to attack. The ants also feed on seeds, which can possibly cause major ecosystem changes over time.

Fire ants are an invasive imported species and do the same job as our own termites, which have evolved with our ecosystems to aerate the soil and create pockets of seeds and nutrients. Our compacted ex-cane and dairy farmed properties are the ideal habitat for fire ants to take over, so extreme vigilance is the key.

Fire ants make a mounded nest up to 40cm high with no visible entry points as they come in and out through underground tunnels. Nests may appear in our red clay soils, but the colour will vary with soil type.

Nurseries are on high alert, although authorities are confident the infestation did not come from this source. When a biosecurity zone is declared, anyone who deals with materials that can carry fire ants such as soil, hay, mulch, manure, quarry products, turf and potted plants, must check the fire ant biosecurity zones before moving these materials and apply fire ant safe practices. If you are unable to do so, you must apply for a biosecurity instrument permit. Visit: fireants.org. au/stop/movement-advice-tool.

If you are bitten by a fire ant, simply washing the bite is of no use as the venom is not water soluble. Experience indicates applying toothpaste is best or rub with lime juice or baking soda. Massage but never scratch the bite site.

Prevention is better than cure so check your property regularly, especially looking at dams and irrigation lines, edges of cultivated land, cropland, fence lines and piles of organic matter. Report any suspicious sightings immediately online at fireants.org.au/look/reporting or call 132 ANT (132 268). Janet Millington

Creeping lantana

Are there some patches of purple in your garden or on your roadside? Could it be creeping lantana?

Creeping lantana (Lantana montevidensis) is a high-priority, invasive plant on the Sunshine Coast. It looks similar to its relative Lantana camara but has smaller leaves and grows along the ground. It is on the priority list for the Sunshine Coast Council area as it is difficult to manage, but luckily there is not much of it. Together, we can still prevent creeping lantana from spreading in our region.

For control methods visit t.ly/pRSq7