The NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) and Local Land Services in Lismore, Scotland have led the response to the yellow crazy ants in the Lismore region since the ants were found there in 2018. There are only two places where the ants are found; the Lismore CBD and Terania Creek North of Lismore. The ants are incredibly invasive and can build super colonies and can devastate the local area and affect both the local agriculture and horticultural industry. The ants are not a direct threat to humans but they are classed as a ‘prohibited matter event’ under the Biosecurity Act of 2015 as they pose a risk to the environment, economy and community.
The provisions of the Act include a duty to notify NWS DPI if anyone becomes aware of, or suspect of the presence of yellow crazy ants. A surveillance blitz will kick off across the Lismore Local Government Area this weekend and there are expected to be over 600 random inspections by DPI staff to try and determine the extent of yellow crazy ants.
The DPI have also been using dog surveillance as part of the strategy of eradication, this has provided agents with very specific information about the locations of nest across the region.