Team targeting yellow crazy ants notch two years of success

Land spanning the size of more than 190 Anderson Gardens – or 4,800 hectares – has been repeatedly treated by the specialist team deployed to mitigate Townsville’s yellow crazy ant infestations over the past two years.

Since its launch in November 2023, the Townsville Yellow Crazy Ant Management Program (TYCAMP) has identified 42 infestations across 10 suburbs including Douglas, Stuart and Alligator Creek.

The $12.8 million project is funded by the Australian Government, through the Saving Native Species program, and the Queensland Government with delivery led by Townsville City Council.

This partnership is dedicated to protecting the region from invasive yellow crazy ants, which are recognised as one of the world’s most destructive species.

“Yellow crazy ants don’t just sound mad, they pose a serious threat to native species across North Queensland,” Federal Minister for the Environment and Water, Murray Watt said.

“The Albanese Labor Government is ramping up the fight against yellow crazy ants in Townsville with this $12.8 million investment.

“Congratulations to all involved on the success of this project, and for the ongoing work they are doing to manage this destructive invasive species.”

The TYCAMP team has successfully applied primary insecticide ANTOFF, regarded for its high efficacy and environmental safety, through both on-ground and aerial applications across a total of 4,834 hectares.

Additionally, more than 8,700 overnight lure stations to detect ant activity have been deployed and 77 sites across all active infestations have been monitored to track treatment effectiveness and reinfestation risks.

Townsville Mayor Nick Dametto said the work of TYCAMP to date had laid a strong foundation for long-term biosecurity success.

“So far the results of this inter-governmental partnership have been significant, with the team demonstrating a strong commitment to protecting Townsville’s environment and community from the ongoing threat of yellow crazy ants,” Councillor Dametto said.

“These ants are a critical biosecurity concern for our region and Council, alongside both the State and Federal Governments, have been proactive in managing this issue so far and will continue to do so.

“The threat posed by this species to our region is significant – yellow crazy ants are one of the world’s worst invasive species with the ability to totally destroy local environments through the disruption of plant and animal populations, pollination, seed dispersal and decomposition of organic matter.

“When it comes to biosecurity and protecting our incredible natural environments, proactivity is essential – the field work conducted by the team over the last two years has been integral to identifying the extent of the region’s yellow crazy ant infestation and to stemming and reducing its spread.

“I am looking forward to a continuation of this good work in the coming years as there is still plenty more to do.”

Beyond field operations, the TYCAMP team has worked directly with affected residents across the affected suburbs to tailor treatment options to individual property needs, whilst also raising awareness about the ongoing biosecurity risk.

Local resident David Dudley, who is based near Mount Black, said yellow crazy ants had significantly impacted native wildlife on his property but the work of the TYCAMP team had been effective to date.

“The effects we have seen from the crazy ants is a diminished amount in wildlife,” he said.

“We have noticed a significant drop in the small critters from geckos and the frogs through to everything else even up to the macropods, big snakes and other ground-dwelling creatures – they have just all disappeared.

“Since the treatments have been happening, and of late, the wildlife have been starting to return – it’s good as it’s not a silent forest anymore.

“I can’t fault the team’s initiative and I can’t fault their communication either, it’s been great.

“In 2026 I would like to see the team continuing to do what they have in 2025, and ‘24 and ‘23 – this is going to have a positive impact in preventing critters coming back.

“We need to wipe them off the face of Townsville.”

Visit the Yellow Crazy Ants page for more information.