Be on the look out for hatching locusts around Muswellbrook

Rangers in the Mid Coast Livestock Health and Pest Authority are asking landholders in the Muswellbrook/Denman area to closely monitor their properties for locust activity following the first locust report of the season.

Mid Coast LHPA senior ranger, Peter Fotheringham says that timely action from landholders in reporting any sightings to their local LHPA office will be essential to minimise the impact of plague locusts in the area.

"The locusts arrived in the autumn of this year and have laid eggs which have hatched with the moisture and warmer weather in the Muswellbrook/Denman area," Mr Fotheringham said.

"It is important that farmers remain vigilant and continue to check for all signs of locust activity including eggs, hatchlings and adult locusts throughout the entire season."

Mr Fotheringham said it is also important that farmers check their whole property.

"The most effective time to treat locusts is about two weeks after they hatch, during the banding stage. This is why we need all landholders to continue to monitor their properties and immediately report any egg beds, hatchings or banding locusts to their local ranger."

"All landholders should be on the lookout for locusts while driving around their properties. If you can identify where the locusts settled previously this will be a good indication of where the egg beds are and we can monitor that area.

"We need reports of any activity so that we can assist landholders to target the right areas when the locusts are banding," Mr Fotheringham said.

To report locust activity on your property, contact your local LHPA ranger in Singleton office on 6572 2944 or Scone on 6545 1311.

Media contact: Kylie Dunn 0428 465 378