Townsville's southern suburb residents can talk all things Yellow Crazy Ants this weekend at Alligator Creek at a Yellow Crazy Ants Information session.
Division 10 Councillor, Brady Ellis encouraged residents to pop into the Duggan Plains Park to learn about one of the world's worst invasive species and about upcoming treatments in the area.
"Yellow Crazy Ants are a real biosecurity hazard here in Townsville, so we're getting out as much as possible to educate the community on the damage they can do and how everyone can play a role in stopping the spread," Cr Ellis said.
"These little critters can be found in soil, vegetation, timber and rubbish from infested areas, and can be accidentally moved to new areas in freight pallets, packaging, timber products and landscaping supplies.
"We have 10 known infested suburbs across our city, which is why we're investing so much into attacking them at the source.
"Thanks to $12.8 million from the Federal Government we're able to invest heavily in baiting and treatment programs as well as an education element."
Councillor Ellis said the southern suburbs of Julago, Nome and Alligator Creek had been hit hard in recent years, which is why it was important locals knew what to look for in order to limit the spread.
"While Council are busy rolling out baiting and treatment programs across the suburbs, distributing literally tens of thousands of kilograms of ant bait, if people don't know what to look for, they can be responsible for helping these creepy crawlies set up shop in areas that weren't previously affected," he said.
"It can be as simple as shifting dirt or building materials, perhaps even offloading some equipment on Facebook marketplace – so it's critical that people are on the lookout for these yellow creepy crawlies in and around these known hotspots.
"We're also asking that people check their yards in and around the known locations because these cheeky buggers might have hitched a ride on a log, branch or flood debris during the recent rainfall in a practise known as rafting.
"If you notice any Yellow Crazy Ants, even if you can't be 100 per cent sure, please report it to Council on 13 48 10.
"So if you want to learn a bit more about Yellow Crazy Ants, what you can do to help or understand where and how we're treating for them, head along to our info session this Saturday from 8-11am at Duggan Plains Park in Alligator Creek."
Council's website features information about Yellow Crazy Ants including what they look like, but as a general rule of thumb they're about half the size of a green ant, are yellowish in colour – as per their name - and have an erratic, crazy walk to them.
This project is funded by the Australian Government's Saving Native Species program and delivered by the Queensland Government and Townsville City Council.
