Tropical fire ant case study
Location: Kakadu National Park, Australia
Justification: Containment, conservation
Goal: Eradication
Size: 3 ha
Products: One application of Amdro (hydramethylnon 9 g/kg; 2.5 kg/ha) was broadcast first by hand, then later using hand spreaders in the infested area (with a 5 m buffer zone).
Some nests persisted even after 10 or more applications of hydramethylnon, these were drenched with a 1000 ppm solution of Nucidol Dog Wash (100 ml diazinon:20 L water)
Time of year: As hydramethylnon is soluble in water, treatment was done when conditions were dry. Infestations outside the township were done in October/November prior to wet season rains. Infestations within the township were done in April at the beginning of the dry season.
Outcome: Eradication achieved
Programme cost: approximately 4000 AUD
Manager: Ben Hoffmann (ben.hoffmann@csiro.au), CSIRO
Information source
Further information was provided by Ben Hoffmann, CSIRO Land and Water Flagship
Hoffmann, O’Connor. 2004. Eradication of two exotic ants from Kakadu National Park. Ecological Management & Restoration 5(2): 98-105
content reviewed by Ben Hoffmann, CSIRO Australia, January 2017