An incident management team has been established and spring surveillance has begun in the Mallee to confirm locations of egg beds where earlier egg laying activity was recorded.
Surveillance is focusing on seven priority local government areas: Mildura, Swan Hill, Gannawarra, Buloke, West Wimmera, Yarriambiack and Hindmarsh.
Forecasts show a moderate to high chance of high locust numbers in the Mallee and a low to moderate chance of high locust numbers in the Wimmera.
Agriculture Victoria incident controller Melissa Cann said priority areas were determined through surveys in May, following reports of high locust activity driven by favourable weather conditions for breeding.
“We are encouraging landholders and managers to join surveying efforts over the coming weeks and report sightings of locusts which will refine priority areas and timing for spraying,” she said.
Early reporting can help reduce the impacts of locusts.
Ms Cann said they expected locust hatching to start in northern Mallee later this month and slightly later in the Wimmera.
She said spraying was most effective around two weeks after locusts had hatched.
Agriculture Victoria will support private landholders, councils and public land managers throughout September and October by conducting surveillance and collecting public reports.
To report locust activity, visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/locusts.
You can also report locust activity to the Customer Service Centre on 136 186.
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