Bug expert puts country on ant alert

The Argentine ant is well established in New Zealand. Picture / Brett Phibbs

Holidaymakers have been warned to guard against the spread of the Argentine ant, an invader which could threaten New Zealand's environment and economy.

Dr Cas Vanderwoude, an ant expert who used to work on controlling the fire ant in Australia, warns people to make sure they are ant-free before they leave home.

He said the ant was one of the world's top 100 worst invaders, and was so well established here that it could not be eradicated.

The ants compete for food with local species, and have been known to strip nestlings to the bone.

Dr Vanderwoude, who now works for an ant bait company, warned it wasn't just wildlife in danger. The ants are not poisonous but they do bite, and can overrun properties, making it impossible to sit outside. They also swarm in kitchens and pantries.

He said people should check camping equipment, boats and suitcases to ensure the ant did not spread.

The Conservation Department has started eradication programmes in conservation areas, such as Tiritiri Matangi Island and where kiwi live in the wild, like Urquhart's Bay near Whangarei.

But local bodies - those broadly responsible for control of the pest - have just begun to take action.

The Auckland Regional Council says in its regional pest management strategy discussion paper, which comes into effect in July 2007, that it aims to keep at least the islands in the Hauraki Gulf free of the ant.

Acting biosecurity manager Dave Galloway said the paper's recommendations were for tightening hygiene at wharves and slipways to make sure boats and camping gear were ant-free before travelling to any islands.

Argentine ants have been found in Auckland, Northland, Coromandel Peninsula, Rotorua, the Bay of Plenty, Waikato, Hawkes Bay, Wellington City, Nelson City and Christchurch.