Wet Tropics Management Authority - Yellow Crazy Ant Eradication Program

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Wet Tropics Management Authority - Yellow Crazy Ant Eradication Program

Yellow crazy ants (Anoplolepis gracilipes) are a major threat to the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area.

Yellow crazy ants are one of the world’s 100 worst invasive species and pose a significant threat to the environment, industry, businesses, wildlife and people’s lifestyle. They are a serious environmental and agricultural pest, recognised among the world's 100 most invasive species. The name 'crazy ant' is derived from their erratic walking style and frantic movements, especially when disturbed.

Yellow crazy ants are known as 'tramp ants' because of their ability to spread by hitching a ride. Other tramp ants include electric ants (Wasmannia auropunctata), also detected in the Wet Tropics region (see the new invasive animals page). Yellow crazy ants can have severe impacts on a range of ecological processes and lead to significant loss of biodiversity. They have the potential to threaten the tourism industry and visitor enjoyment of the Wet Tropics, the quality of life for local residents and agricultural productivity.

07/08/2026

🚨 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 🚨

Our team will be conducting aerial treatment the week starting 10 August in areas within Little Mulgrave National Park and near Vico Street as part of our ongoing efforts to eradicate yellow crazy ants.

Our field staff will also be out and about delivering hand treatment in identified areas 🏡

If you require further information please call
𝟬𝟳 𝟰𝟮𝟰𝟭 𝟬𝟱𝟮𝟱.

14/07/2026

Heading to The Cairns Show this week? Come view our display in the Horticultural Pavilion right next to the scarecrows 🌱🧑‍🌾

You can pick up your 𝗔𝗺𝗮𝘇𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝘁 𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗙𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗱 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲, wall posters about the fascinating mammals and birds of the Wet Tropics, and learn about yellow crazy ants 🐜

See you there!

26/06/2026

There’s still time to win one of two 𝗔𝗺𝗮𝘇𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗮𝗰𝗸𝘀, the perfect prize for curious minds, nature lovers and budding citizen scientists! 🔎🐜

Each pack includes the 𝗔𝗺𝗮𝘇𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝘁 𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗙𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗱 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲 plus everything you need to start exploring the fascinating world of ants, including:

• a magnifying glass 🔎
• gloves and tweezers 🧤
• survey flags to mark your observation sites 🐜
• a torch for searching under rocks, logs and other places where ants may hide.

… and much more!

You’ll also learn how to use 𝗔𝗻𝘁𝗭𝗼𝗻𝗲 to see where current infestations are and discover how you can protect the Wet Tropics from these invasive pests.

To enter:

✔️Follow our page
👍Like this post

Be quick- the competition ends this 𝗦𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟴 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲!

Competition terms and conditions apply: https://www.wettropics.gov.au/ecofiesta-giveaway-2026

22/06/2026

Ever wondered what a 𝘆𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗰𝗿𝗮𝘇𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 looks like?

👉 This video is a good indication of what to look for.

🐜 Yellow crazy ants are golden-brown with a darker brown abdomen that is sometimes striped.

They are slender, between 3 mm and 4 mm in length, and have long antennae and legs.

They are named for their fast, erratic movement when disturbed. While they do not bite or sting, they spray formic acid to subdue their prey, immobilising or blinding invertebrates and other small animals.

🔎 Community awareness, support and vigilance are critical for detecting new infestations and preventing the spread of invasive ants.

❗️Please report any suspect ants in the Cairns region to the 𝗪𝗲𝘁 𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 at 𝘆𝗰𝗮@𝘄𝘁𝗺𝗮.𝗾𝗹𝗱.𝗴𝗼𝘃.𝗮𝘂 or call 𝟬𝟳 𝟰𝟮𝟰𝟭 𝟬𝟱𝟮𝟱.

20/06/2026

To celebrate 𝗘𝗰𝗼𝗳𝗶𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮 𝗖𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗻𝘀, we’re giving away two 𝗔𝗺𝗮𝘇𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗮𝗰𝗸𝘀 —the perfect prize for curious minds, nature lovers and budding citizen scientists 🔎🐜

Get out and explore the incredible Wet Tropics World Heritage Area as you search for one of the rainforest's most fascinating creatures: ants.

This hands-on prize pack includes everything you need to collect, observe and identify ants in their natural habitat, including the Amazing Ants of the Wet Tropics Field Guide and tools to help you investigate the hidden world beneath logs, rocks and leaf litter 🍃

Along the way, you'll also learn how to use 𝗔𝗻𝘁𝗭𝗼𝗻𝗲 to check for invasive ant species and discover how you can help protect the Wet Tropics from pests that threaten our environment, agriculture and way of life.

To enter:
✅ Follow our page
✅ Like this post

That’s it—you’ll automatically go into the draw!

Competition terms and conditions apply: https://www.wettropics.gov.au/ecofiesta-giveaway-2026

Cairns Regional Council Eco Events Cairns

18/06/2026

💚 Heading to 𝗘𝗰𝗼𝗳𝗶𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮 on Sunday? So are we!

Drop by the 𝗪𝗲𝘁 𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 stall for a chat with our friendly team, learn about the work underway to protect the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, and discover how you can help care for this extraordinary place.

Plus, you'll have the chance to enter our prize draw to win some amazing Wet Tropics experiences!

Cairns Regional Council Tolga Bat Hospital Cairns Rafting Eco Events Cairns

11/06/2026

Not every office comes with rainbows and cane trains. 🌈🚂

While out surveying for 𝘆𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗰𝗿𝗮𝘇𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀, our dog handler was treated to this stunning Wet Tropics scene as a cane train rolled past.

Our team members regularly complete inductions and training to ensure they can work safely around cane rail infrastructure and mill operations, particularly during the busy cane harvesting and crushing season.

09/06/2026

Giving “birds-eye view” a whole new meaning 🪶

This cheeky 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗪𝗮𝗴𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹 chose the best seat to watch today’s drone operations in action!

14/05/2026

⚠️ 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 ⚠️

Yellow crazy ants have been detected along the 𝗚𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗥𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗼𝗮𝗱 and the 𝗥𝗼𝗯𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗸.

This popular hiking trail connects the Gillies Range to the Atherton Tablelands and we urge all visitors to remain highly vigilant when travelling through the area.

Please 𝗱𝗼 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀, 𝘀𝗼𝗶𝗹, 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗳 𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿, 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗲𝘄𝗼𝗼𝗱, 𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹𝘀 from the area, as yellow crazy ants can easily nest inside these materials and be accidentally spread to new locations.

𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗵𝗶𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗿 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗮:

👉check footwear, gear, and equipment before leaving

🌱avoid disturbing vegetation or moving materials

📞 report any suspected yellow crazy ants to 07 4241 0525.

Yellow crazy ants are golden-brown, between 3mm - 4mm long, with long legs and antennae. When disturbed, they move in a frantic, erratic manner.

Thank you for your support. Community awareness and vigilance are critical for detecting new infestations and stopping the spread of invasive ants 🐜

24/04/2026

🚨Treatment Notice 🚨

Our team will be conducting aerial treatment in the week commencing 27 April in 𝗠𝘂𝗹𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗲, 𝗚𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗮𝗹𝗲 and 𝗦𝗮𝘄𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗣𝗼𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘁 as part of our ongoing efforts to eradicate yellow crazy ants.

Our field staff will also be out and about delivering hand treatment in identified areas 🏡

Treatment is weather dependent and may be cancelled at short notice if rain is forcast.
If you require further information please call 07 4241 0525

Address

31 Vickers Street
Cairns, QLD
4868

Telephone

+61742410525

Website

https://www.wettropics.gov.au/yellow-crazy-ants

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