Report locusts to ensure control

With locusts again becoming active in the region, the Central West Livestock Health and Pest Authority is asking landholders to continue surveillance and report all plague locust activity on their properties.

Over the past week there has been a noted increase in locust activity in the Central West LHPA, with locusts laying in the Coonamble area and early hatchings and some swarms around Nyngan and Carinda.

Central West Livestock Health and Pest Authority senior ranger, Lisa Thomas said the recent rain, warm temperatures and feed available throughout a majority of the district were ideal conditions for locusts to become more active.

"We were aware of scattered locust activity during January but this month the densities have increased in the northern and western parts of the Central West LHPA," Ms Thomas said.

"Where there have been reports of locusts laying, such as around Coonamble, we are expecting these to hatch later this month, particularly with the current seasonal conditions."

Ms Thomas said that to successfully combat plague locusts, landholders need to notify their local LHPA of any locust activity so they can act quickly.

"Effective control is only possible if individual landholders work with us, so please contact your local ranger when you see any locust activity, whether it is eggs, hatchings, bands or adult swarms," Ms Thomas said.

"In the Nyngan area, our ranger received a report of adult locusts which we believe had flown in from another area. We were able to issue chemical immediately and the landholder reported a good success rate in treating those locusts before they laid eggs.

"Landholders need to be aware of the potential for migration from fly-in locusts due to the recent changes with the weather systems and any locust activity from fly-ins should be reported immediately to your local LHPA ranger."

Landholders are reminded that it is a requirement under the Rural lands Protection Act 1998 to report all locust activity no matter how small to their local Livestock Health and Pest Authority and to carry out appropriate control measures on their property.

Your local Livestock Health and Pest Authorities continue to be the primary contact for reporting locust activity, providing chemical to landholders and assisting with control methods.

To report locust activity on your property or for further information contact your local LHPA office.

Media contact: Suzie Robinson 6391 3720 / 0428 465 378