Department of Conservation staff in Kaitaia are in the throes of planning a major control operation after confirming the presence of highly invasive Argentine ants at Taputaputa Campground in the Far North earlier this week.
The ants were confirmed on Wednesday morning, and DOC staff have been carrying out a survey to determine their exact location. The ants have been pinpointed to a small area adjacent to the stream.
Kaitaia Area Manager, Jon Maxwell, says that since the ants were confirmed, the affected area has been closed off and planning has been underway to begin an eradication operation as quickly as possible.
“We’ve informed iwi of the situation and the need to act fast. Argentine ants are one of the biggest threats we have to the native plants and animals in the area. They form super colonies and will eat anything in their path; plants, baby birds, lizards, snails, basically nothing is safe”, says Mr Maxwell.
Argentine ants first arrived in New Zealand in 1990. Since then they have spread across the country, including many parts of Northland. However Te Paki has been kept clear. Until now.
Mr Maxwell said the Department has had a regular monitoring programme in place at Te Paki, as well as a strict quarantining regime for its staff working in the area, as well as bee keepers and contractors.
“On the positive side, because of our regular monitoring we’ve been able to detect the ants quickly and early, giving us the chance to get rid of them before they have a chance to establish themselves,” says Mr Maxwell.
An eradication treatment day is planned for the 10th February, weather permitting.
“We need three days of fine weather either side of the treatment days, so we are hopeful of getting stuck in on Thursday. However we will have to keep an eye on the weather,” explains Mr Maxwell.
Another treatment day will be carried out 6-8 weeks after the initial one. Mr Maxwell said the camp will be closed during the treatment days, although camping will still be available in the day area. Signage will also be in place in the treatment area to advise people of when the control operation is happening.
“We have a number of tourist operators that use the day area as a lunch stop, so some patience will be required on their part. However given the gravity of the situation and the need to do whatever it takes to get rid of these ants, I’m sure everyone will be willing to work together,” says Mr Maxwell.
To get more information about Argentine ants or the eradication programme click on the PDF download files below or contact:
DJ Neho
Programme Manager Biodiversity Threats
Department of Conservation
Kaitaia Area Office
Phone: 09 408 6014
Address: 25 Matthews Ave, Kaitaia 0441.
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