Milo Yeigh, the 19-year-old self-confessed ant nerd who first reported yellow crazy ants to the Department of Primary Industries, has been congratulated for his quick action.
Milo, who lives in East Lismore, was killing time at The Quad waiting for an appointment when he spotted the invasive ants and immediately rang the Biosecurity Hotline.
‘I wasn’t sure what would happen because I hadn’t reported anything to the hotline before, but the response has been phenomenal,” he said.
The agencies and community groups working on the infestation of yellow crazy ants in Lismore have now jointly acknowledged his actions.
‘The award is very flattering and I certainly wasn’t expecting it. I feel very honoured,’ Milo said.
Lismore Thomas MP George, NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI), Local Land Services (LLS), Lismore City Council, Rous County Council, National Parks and Landcare representatives gathered in Lismore on Friday (June 22) to acknowledge the community response.
NSW DPI invasive species programs manager Scott Charlton said Milo’s action in reporting the ants to the NSW DPI was significant.
‘I’m very pleased to be able to recognise the young man who essentially kicked off this all agency response, simply by being aware to his surroundings and caring enough to report it,’ Mr Charlton said.
‘When he noticed the ants on trees around the CBD, Milo did a bit of research to satisfy his own curiosity, but when he understood how serious their presence was he immediately contacted the Biosecurity Hotline.
‘We can’t overstate how important his actions, and those of the wider community, have been in our eradication efforts to date, both by reporting sightings to help us map the infestations, and by following the movement restrictions to help minimise spread of the ants.’
The yellow crazy ant is considered one of the top 100 examples of the world’s worst invasive species, with the potential to do serious damage to the local environment and agricultural production.
Following the first reports, NSW DPI and LLS immediately began undertaking surveillance work and developing a control strategy throughout May and June 2018, and have subsequently discovered a number of outlying infestations.
‘Extensive surveillance in the local area is underway. Biosecurity officers have started treatment of the yellow crazy ant infestations and NSW DPI and LLS are leading the surveillance and eradication efforts with the support of Lismore City Council and Rous County Council, NPWS and community groups including Landcare,’ Mr Charlton said.
‘All the groups who were represented today have been key partners working on surveillance, treatment and community education.
‘Landcare volunteers have played an important part in the surveillance program and RFS and SES will also be contributing to surveillance activities.’
Anyone who spots yellow crazy ants outside the CBD or on their farm or property should phone the Biosecurity Hotline immediately on 1800 680 244 so the DPI can investigate. More info is available at http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/yca.
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