Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Argentine ant alert

Updated at 8:22 am on 6 January 2012

Hawke's Bay Regional Council wants the public to tell it if there are new infestations of Argentine ants.

The brown coloured ant is one of the world's worst 100 pests. It has been in this country since the 1990s.

The council says the best way to eradicate them is to use sprays.

But Professor Phil Lester from Victoria University told Summer Report the best way to kill them is by feeding them toxic food.

Dr Lester said Argentine ants are predominantly found in urban areas, even though they have been spotted on rural properties.

Listen to more on Summer Report

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