Locust swarm activity in central west - report your locust sightings (Feb 2015)
Channel: Central West Local Land Services
Date: 2015-02-09

Swarm activity is now being reported across several areas within the Central West Local Land Services region. Biosecurity Officers are validating swarm densities, the environmental factors and locations to determine if a case can be made for aerial operations. Report your activity here... http://centralwest.lls.nsw.gov.au/biosecurity/pest-control/locusts

Strict criteria is set for the initiation of plague locust aerial campaigns and this control method must meet the requirements within the Department of Primary Industries’ (DPI) Policy.

Landholders need to contact Local Land Services to report any locust activity on their land. A Biosecurity Officer will respond with a phone call or a site visit within 48 hours of your report being received.

An effective locust response relies on community support and reporting.

We are working with the landholder community to manage locusts before they become a larger problem.

If you see any locust activity, please contact your local office or visit our website to lodge online. A Biosecurity Officer will respond with a phone call or a site visit within 48 hours of your report being received.

This is the standard set by DPI - the lead agency with plague locust control. Local Land Services is the coordination support agency.

“Currently our response time is 24 hours or less,” said Mr Robinson.

Chemical volume and type is issued according to the infestation size and the species. Chemical will not be issued over the counter (as per DPI Policy and Procedure) without a prior inspection or prior arrangement from staff.

The chemical Fenitrothion has a date of manufacture of 2013 – this is not a ‘use by date’. Some landholders may be confused by this date on the containers. This chemical was tested by DPI in 2014 and found satisfactory

In the early stages of the campaign, chemical will not be issued without an inspection. This is a requirement of legislation and to determine species and size of the problem across the local area.

Landholders need to have a current AQF3 chemical user card to apply chemical.

Landholder are required to sign for all chemical issued and expected to comply with the label recommendations. No person has been refused chemical in the 2014-15 campaign.

Central West Local Land Services will continue to work with the community to manage the issue.