State Member for Barron River Steve Wettenhall said planning for an upcoming community event led to the detection of electric ants (Wasmannia auropunctata) on five properties in Caravonica.

"This area is outside the existing Restricted Area comprising Smithfield and Kewarra Beach," Mr Wettenhall said.

"Biosecurity Queensland is confirming the size of the affected area as well as undertaking treatment and tracing the movements of high-risk material such as green waste and soil.

Mr Wetternhall said during recent discussions for a community event, a member of the public from Caravonica produced a jar containing dead ants.

"Biosecurity Queensland quickly identified them as electric ants, leading to a prompt response in the field," he said.

"The high density of the electric ant populations observed so far at Caravonica suggests the incursion took place more than a year ago.

"Residents do not have to live with electric ants - the sooner they are identified, the sooner we can start treatment.

"Biosecurity Queensland has received more than 30 reports from the Caravonica area in the past year, but all samples taken tested negative.

"I'm urging all residents to keep an eye out in their yards and homes and report suspicious ants on 13 25 23 before they get a chance to sting you, your family or your pets," Mr Wettenhall said.

Mr Wettenhall said as a result of the colony at Caravonica, electric ants had also been found at Cardwell.

"A Caravonica resident who's property is infested reported that nine pot plants had been moved to his property in Cardwell in the past few weeks.

"These pot plants were most likely infested as a result of the extremely high density of the electric ant population at Caravonica.

He said a field officer inspected the pot plants and collected samples on Monday 27th April.

"The samples were sent to the diagnostic laboratory and the samples confirmed as electric ants on Wednesday 29th April," Mr Wettenhall said.

"The infested pot plants have been treated and the property has been inspected but no electric ants have been detected.

"The department will continue to monitor the property in Cardwell to confirm if the colony has spread, but the results from early investigations suggest they haven't.

"I'm asking the community to be vigilant when it comes to electric ants and to report any suspected sightings.

"Residents should not move pot plants, dirt or building materials if they're concerned about electric ants."

Biosecurity Queensland's electric ant eradication coordinator Charlotte Greer said although recent ant samples in the street tested negative, if another resident reports a suspected case of electric ants it will be investigated.

"We will make multiple inspections - just because an ant tests negative one day, it doesn't mean electric ants won't make an appearance in the future," she said.

"If anyone suspects they have electric ants on their property they should report it. We look forward to working with community groups in the area."

Ms Greer said electric ants are tiny, golden brown in colour and only about 1.5mm long.

"They are slow moving and rather than form nests, they congregate under rocks, leaves or litter or in the forks of trees and tropical garden plants."

ENDS

1 May 2009