RLPBs mobilise aerial spraying to treat locusts
With locusts now swarming in some parts of the state Rural Lands Protection Boards (RLPBs) are preparing for aerial spraying to treat medium to high density activity.
More than 2600 reports of locust activity have been made to date across NSW and RLPBs are ready to assist landholders with aerial support to help minimise damage to crops and pasture as locusts take flight.
State Council of RLPBs Pest Animal and Insect Manager, Tim Seears, said weather conditions were making it difficult to predict when locusts would form into dense swarms but it was likely swarms would be seen in the Wagga Wagga, Narrandera, Condobolin, Forbes, Young and Gundagai board regions when the weather clears.
“Landholders should immediately notify their local board of any swarm activity and rangers will assess if aerial spraying is likely to be an effective avenue of control on their property.
“If locust activity meets certain criteria then RLPBs will help coordinate aerial spraying in that area as soon as possible.
“Although farmers have been vigilant in spraying locusts on the ground unfortunately some have evaded control and matured to the swarming stage,” Tim Seears said.
Each case will be dealt with individually and must meet strict criteria to ensure help goes to where it can be best used to effectively reduce locust numbers.
As locusts are harder to treat when they take flight aerial spraying will only be considered to tackle areas of 100 hectares or more on properties experiencing medium to high activity greater than ten locusts per square metre.
Other factors including safety and environmental risks will also be considered prior to any aerial spraying.
Tim Seears added that it was still vital farmers continue to report all locust activity, no matter how small, to their local RLPB as the data was invaluable for planning and forecasting.
“We have received over 70 reports of mainly low density swarms to date. Locusts in low numbers across large areas have the potential to come together and create large and destructive swarms.
“We are also urging farmers to continue regularly checking their properties as some areas have experiencing a second wave of hatchings,” Tim Seears said. “Given the numbers of adults now evident we can expect another generation of locusts this summer.”
For further information or to have a ranger inspect your property to determine if aerial spraying is feasible in your area contact your local Rural Lands Protection Board.
MEDIA CONTACT: Kelly Ingham (02) 6391 3242 Mob 0428 465 378