Lynnie Gibson. |
Lynnie Gibson lives at Ocean Beach. She is a member of our Restoration Committee and works for DoC.
Lynnie is pictured while chatting to members of the Northland Conservation Board on their recent field day which she organised at Bream Head Scenic Reserve
Lynnie contributes this article about Argentine ants:
ARGENTINE ANTS - LET’S STOP THE SPREAD INTO
BREAM HEAD SCENIC RESERVE
The Department of Conservation is undertaking its fourth Argentine Ant treatment operation at Urquhart Bay and second treatment at Ocean Beach over the next two months.
“One of the world’s most invasive ant species, Argentine ants pose a serious potential threat to Northland’s biodiversity if left unchecked” says Conservation Officer Pete Davis “and finding them on private properties adjoining the Bream Head Scenic Reserve is of real concern and the reason for the attempted eradication programme”.
With multiple queens in each nest, Argentine ants can multiply quickly and form super colonies which make them a major household and garden pest. Their ability to co-operate between nests and dominate food sources in an area (nectar, fruit and native invertebrates and maybe even baby birds in nests) means they can out-compete other species and therefore have significant impacts on ecological processes.
Argentine ants are 2-3 mm long and a honey brown colour. They are highly active in searching for food, and their trails can be five or more ants wide. Another identifying feature is that they do not smell when squashed. They can easily travel up trees or buildings. Fortunately they are not poisonous; however they are known to bite.
Native to Argentina and Brazil, the ants are now known to be a major pest in many countries. They were first discovered in Auckland at the Mt Smart site of the 1990 Commonwealth Games and have since been found in Northland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Wellington and Christchurch.
“Unfortunately the most common way for Argentine ants to spread is via humans who unwittingly transport ant nests in things like timber, potted plants, fire wood and landscape materials. Even if we manage to eradicate them from the two known infestation sites at Urquharts Bay and Ocean Beach, there is a very real risk that they will reinvade the area through plants and materials brought into the area by humans” explained Mr Davies.
It is critical that the residents in these areas and visitors are mindful of this and keep a close eye out for Argentine Ants around their properties and within any plants or materials brought in from outside the area. If you suspect that you have found Argentine ants please immediately inform the Department of Conservation.
An approved bait called ‘Xstinguish Argentine Ant Bait’ is highly attractive to and effective against Argentine ants, and the public can purchase it through their local pest eradication companies.
The Urquhart Bay/Ocean Beach eradication treatment programme is planned to go on for approximately 10 weeks; however it is weather dependant as the poison should only be laid in dry hot conditions. This is important as the ants are more active in these circumstances and move the bait to their nest a lot faster allowing the whole nest access to the toxin.
The Department is calling for volunteers who would be interested in assisting with the programme. Please contact the DOC Whangarei Area Office – phone: (09) 4302-133 if you wish to assist.
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