Yellow Crazy Ants
The Townsville Biosecurity Plan outlines Council's strategies for preventing the introduction, eradicating and containing restricted pest plants and animals in Townsville.
Yellow Crazy Ants are a critical biosecurity priority in Townsville LGA, with five known infestations. Contact Council to report any ants suspected to be Yellow Crazy Ants. Townsville City Council does not deal with any other ant or general pest control.
Fire Ants and Electric Ants are not known to occur in Townsville. If you suspect sightings of tramp ants other than Yellow Crazy Ants, please report sightings to Biosecurity Queensland on 13 25 23.
About Yellow Crazy Ants
Yellow Crazy Ants are listed as one of the world's 100 worst invasive alien species, and one of the world’s worst tramp ants. Their true origin is unknown due to their rapid colonisation of countries around the world, however experts suspect Yellow Crazy Ants originate from Africa or south-east Asia.
Impacts: Yellow Crazy Ants form super colonies with dense populations. The sheer number of ants overwhelm both invertebrates and vertebrates, causing a loss of biodiversity. This then causes impacts to plant populations, disrupting natural processes in environments such as pollination, seed dispersal and decomposition of organic matter.
People’s lifestyles are impacted, and pets can receive acid burns from the formic acid sprayed by Yellow Crazy Ants. Impacts include damage to household electrical appliances and wiring. Agriculture and horticulture industries are also impacted.
Description:
- Yellow to brownish ant with long and slender body (approximately 5mm long)
- Abdomen is dark brown, sometimes striped
- Legs and antennae are very long
- Walking style is erratic.
Preventing the Spread
Human-assisted spread is far larger than natural spread (raft downstream, natural expansion). Yellow Crazy Ants are often unknowingly transported, commonly in freight pallets and packaging, timber products and landscaping supplies.
Help prevent the spread of Yellow Crazy Ants:
- Do not sell produce or items that contain Yellow Crazy Ants
- Take a good photo and report ants suspected to be YCAs to Council
- When ordering agricultural or horticultural products, ask suppliers what invasive biosecurity matter is possible/likely to be in their products before buying, and decide for yourself whether you can deal with the biosecurity risk
- Companies should develop a pest management plan relevant to biosecurity risks associated with their business
- Treat areas where the risk of spread is heightened (e.g. stored pallets, crushing plants, etc).
Locations in Townsville
- Alligator Creek
- Black River
- Douglas
- Mt St John
- Nome
- Stuart
Useful Links
- Yellow Crazy Ant Identification and Eradication (PDF, 2.3 MB)
- Townsville City Biosecurity Plan 2020-2024 (PDF, 7.7 MB)
- Quick Reference Guide Biosecurity Plan - Yellow Crazy Ant (PDF, 2.3 MB)
Department of Agriculture & Fisheries
Videos
- Townsville - Yellow Crazy Ants - Townsville City Council
- What yellow crazy ants can do to Australia's Wet Tropics - Invasive Species Council
Sites
Douglas Site – Main infestation
Council has surveyed areas of Douglas for Yellow Crazy Ants, finding the tramp ant has infested 13.35ha. The known infestation is being targeted for three treatments. Yellow Crazy Ants forage up to 100m from their nest, so a buffer around the infestation will be included to ensure the ants take enough bait back to the nest for an effective treatment. The treatment area (infestation + buffer) totals 76.77ha.
On-ground treatment for local eradication of the known infestation has already commenced on public land.
Treatment through residential Douglas
Three treatments are planned, with at least three months between each treatment. The first and second treatment have been completed,
Third treatment commences: 20 September 2021
Anticipated conclusion of third treatment: 22 October 2021
If Yellow Crazy Ants are found after the completion of the third application, spot treatments will be conducted.
Who will be impacted:
All properties inside the yellow shaded area on the map.
What to expect:
- You will receive a letter 1-7 days before the external areas of your property is expected to be treated.
- Authorised Officers will enter external areas of all properties within the shaded area through the Prevention and Control Program for Yellow Crazy Ants (Anoplolepis gracilipes) under the Biosecurity Act 2014.
- External areas such a lawns and gardens will be treated with a small, granular bait. Indoor areas do not need to be treated and will not be entered.
- It will take an estimated 15 minutes to treat the property.
Product to be used:
In residential properties, Antoff Fipronil Ant Bait will be used. The granular bait is a specialised product not currently available to public. Antoff has the same active ingredient as regular termite treatments, at a significantly lower dose than termites are treated with. The bait granules settle amongst grass and gardens, inaccessible to pets.
What do I need to do?
- Ensure Council officers have free access to external areas of your property
- Allow safe entry to Council officers by restraining aggressive pets
- Please wait 24 hours to water once the property has been treated, temporarily turn off irrigation if necessary.
- Booking a time for officers to treat the property is not necessary, however if you would like to be present, or have further questions regarding the Yellow Crazy Ant treatment, please contact Council.
What if I am outside the treatment area?
If your property is outside the treatment area, please look for ants, and send a good photo of any you think may be Yellow Crazy Ants to Council. Council will identify the ants and notify you of the outcome.
If Yellow Crazy Ants are detected further out and your property needs to be treated, a Council officer will contact you.
How many times will my property be treated?
Three treatments are needed.
Treatment 1: October-November 2020
Treatment 2: Timing dependent on the success of first treatment, weather conditions and permit approval. Minimum three months from first treatment.
Treatment 3: Timing dependent on the success of previous treatments, environmental conditions and permit approval. Minimum three months from second treatment. The final treatment is expected to be completed by 30 June 2021.
Douglas Site – Goondaloo Creek Outlier
Council has acted on a report of Yellow Crazy Ants in a residential property outside of the treatment area. Council surveyed the surrounding area, finding the tramp ant has infested 5.25ha. The known infestation is being targeted for three treatments. Yellow Crazy Ants forage up to 100m from their nest, so a buffer around the infestation will be included to ensure the ants take enough bait back to the nest for an effective treatment. The treatment area (infestation + buffer) totals 19.6ha.
Treatment through residential Douglas and Annandale
Three treatments are planned, with at least three months between each treatment.
First Treatment: Completed
Second treatment commencement: 11 October 2021
Anticipated conclusion of third treatment: March 2022
Who will be impacted:
All properties inside the yellow shaded area on the map.
What to expect:
- You will receive a letter 7-14 days before the external areas of your property is expected to be treated.
- Authorised Officers will enter external areas of all properties within the shaded area through the Prevention and Control Program for Yellow Crazy Ants (Anoplolepis gracilipes) under the Biosecurity Act 2014.
- External areas such a lawns and gardens will be treated with a small, granular bait. Indoor areas do not need to be treated and will not be entered.
- It will take an estimated 15 minutes to treat the property.
Product to be used:
Antoff Fipronil Ant Bait will be used. The granular bait is a specialised product not currently available to public. Antoff has the same active ingredient as regular termite treatments, at a significantly lower dose than termites are treated with. The bait granules settle amongst grass and gardens, inaccessible to pets.
What do I need to do?
- Ensure Council officers have free access to external areas of your property
- Allow safe entry to Council officers by restraining aggressive pets
- Please wait 24 hours to water once the property has been treated, temporarily turn off irrigation if necessary.
- Booking a time for officers to treat the property is not necessary, however if you would like to be present, or have further questions regarding the Yellow Crazy Ant treatment, please contact Council.
What if I am outside the treatment area?
If your property is outside the treatment area, please look for ants, and send a good photo of any you think may be Yellow Crazy Ants to Council. Council will identify the ants and notify you of the outcome.
If Yellow Crazy Ants are detected further out and your property needs to be treated, a Council officer will contact you.
Alligator Creek – inc. Julago and Brookhill
Council has surveyed areas of Alligator Creek, Julago and Brookhill for Yellow Crazy Ants, finding the tramp ant has infested 772ha, over two infestations. Residents located within the YCA infestation area have reported poultry loss, clogged pool filters, stress to stock, and large numbers of YCA inhabiting homes.
The known infestations are being considered as one large infestation and will be targeted for three treatments. Yellow Crazy Ants forage up to 100m from their nest, so a buffer around the infestation will be included to ensure the ants take enough bait back to the nest for an effective treatment. The treatment area (infestation + buffer) totals 916ha.
The size and terrain make the infestation more suitable and cost effective for the majority of the infestation to be treated aerially. Approximately 11ha is be unable to be treated by helicopter and will be treated on-ground.
Aerial Treatment
The first of three aerial treatments in these suburbs will be applied on 18 and 19 November 2021 by helicopter. The helicopter will be flying at low altitude and in some cases in close proximity of properties in order to spread the granules effectively.
While the granules are not harmful to mammals, some animals, including stock and pets, may be frightened by the activity. Please take measures to ensure your pets' safety and containment.
Treatment 1: 18 & 19 November 2021.
Treatment 2: Anticipated late February 2022 - March 2022.
Treatment 3: June 2022.
Treatment through residential Alligator Creek
On-ground treatment will be conducted for ten properties in Alligator Creek (these properties have already received notification). Three treatments are planned, with at least three months between each treatment.
Treatment 1: Current-anticipated conclusion 26 November 2021.
Treatment 2: Anticipated late February 2022 - March 2022.
Treatment 3: June - July 2022.
What if I am outside the treatment area?
If your property is outside of the treatment area, please look for ants. If you spot an ant that you think may be a Yellow Crazy Ant, please take a photo and send it to Council. Council will identify the ants and notify you of the outcome.
If Yellow Crazy Ants are detected further outside the current known infestation and your property needs to be treated, a Council officer will contact you.
Notifying Council about pests
Have you discovered a new weed or a new infestation of an existing weed? Seen a pest animal that you haven't noticed in Townsville before?
If so, complete our Pest Notification form. Once returned to Council either by email or in person at 103 Walker Street, we will follow up on your sighting.
