Rookies praised for colony find

The rookies canvass another area for fire ants.

A GROUP of Biosecurity Queensland rookie field officers have been praised after discovering a new fire ant infestation outside Park Ridge State High School on their first day.

The team found the first nest 100m from the current restricted area boundary, and 600m from the nearest known colony in Park Ridge.

Minister for Primary Industries, Fisheries and Rural and Regional Queensland, Tim Mulherin, said the officers were doing surveillance on the first day of being qualified when one of the officers noticed a disturbed patch of soil.

“It was great that these new officers had an opportunity early on and I was impressed that they got onto it so quickly with identification tools,” he said.

“Following the detection on the footpath outside Park Ridge State High School, the team then found a further three nests after surveying the area.

“Fortunately, none of the infestations were on the school grounds but preventive treatment has been conducted across the school grounds to ensure they remain free of the fire ant menace.

“The confirmation of a new infestation means movement controls will be imposed and a new Restricted Area will be declared.

“Restricted Area status means nearby residents cannot move high-risk materials, such as soil, baled hay, straw and potted plants without approval.”

Data from the colonies has been collected for research, and the colonies will now be destroyed with liquid insecticide.