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Aerial Spraying At Swifts Creek Hits The Mark

The Department of Primary Industries (DPI) began aerial spraying at Swifts Creek on 31st January on hoppers that have hatched from extensive egg beds laid by adult locusts in December 2005.

By Department of Primary Industries - 8th February 2006 - Back to News

DPI Principal Scientist, Dr Malcolm Campbell, said DPI had sprayed 4224ha by close of spraying on Sunday 5^th February 2006. The spraying was directed against the remaining adults from the first generation and bands of hoppers of the second generation.

"Farmers have done an excellent job in actively spraying adult swarms and recently, hoppers. But despite their recent control efforts, further assistance is needed due to the steep and inaccessible terrain at Swifts Creek and Omeo," Dr Campbell said.

"The government’s policy on locusts allows for DPI to assist with control measures on private land where it is deemed too difficult for landholders to do so themselves.

"Helicopters are being used to spray hoppers on private land using the insecticide Fipronil, which is the most effective for dealing with staggered hatchings – a feature of second generation locusts during the summer period.

"Hoppers directly sprayed with insecticide will not die for 24 to 36 hours in hot conditions and longer on cooler days. Hoppers that stumble into sprayed areas will not die for 4 to 5 days in hot conditions."

Dr Campbell said hoppers are aggregating in bands but many hoppers are still spread across the landscape so that spot spraying of bands is not going to be adequate. Farmers need to be looking for and spraying distributed hoppers.

"Some roads in the Swifts Creek area may be temporarily and briefly closed while spraying proceeds, with delays of up to 20 minutes likely. Weather permitting, the control program is expected to continue until about 20th February."

"Very extensive hatching is occurring at Swifts Creek and farmers in the area are encouraged to register for DPI’s Fipronil spraying program, which provides the insecticide at no charge to groups of farmers."

"To register to use Fipronil contact DPI at Swifts Creek or ring 1300 135 559," Dr Campbell said.

To report locust sightings call the DPI locust reporting line 1300 135 559.

For more information on aerial spraying at Swifts Creek and DPI’s Fipronil spraying program visit www.dpi.vic.gov.au.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: support@gippsland.com

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