Support for yellow crazy ant eradication

Published: 08 July 2020. (Note: information was correct at date of publication but may have since been changed or superseded.)

Council will continue to support efforts to manage and eradicate yellow crazy ants, a highly invasive species that poses a significant threat to the Wet Tropics.

First discovered in the Cairns Regional Council area in 2001, infestations are now found in over 1500 hectares in six suburbs – Bentley Park, Edmonton, Mount Peter, Gordonvale, Wrights Creek and Bayview Heights.

Eradication of infestations is managed by the Wet Tropics Management Authority (WTMA) under their Yellow Crazy Ant Eradication Program (YCAEP).

Council contributes resources and expertise in line with the region’s Biosecurity Plan and has a successful partnership with WTMA with regard to the eradication program.

The primary aim of the YCAEP, is to eradicate yellow crazy ant infestations in and adjacent to the World Heritage Area and to maintain the area’s heritage value.

It is anticipated the program may take up to 10 years to successfully eradicate yellow crazy ants from the area.