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