Aotearoa / New Zealand @lemmy.nz thevoyagekayaking @lemmy.nz 4 mo. ago

Argentine ant sniffer dog averts potential disaster on Matiu / Somes Island

www.rnz.co.nz Argentine ant sniffer dog averts potential disaster on Matiu / Somes Island

A Welsh springer spaniel has saved Matiu / Somes Island from potential disaster after sniffing out an Argentine ant nest on building materials destined for the island's new wharf.

I didn't actually know they were building a new wharf on Somes, it's great that the island is getting more infrastructure. And great they caught the ants, obviously.

15 comments

This is really cool that we do this, and even cooler that the dogs can be trained to do this!
- And such a cute dog, too.
  
  Haha yes, but spaniels have a reputation. My vet friend used to say he would rather see a pit bull than a spaniel!
Fuck Argentine ants. They bite too.
Are the ants from somewhere else in New Zealand or imported?
- I'm not sure specifically about these ones but looks like they are pretty widespread in NZ (though not found everywhere):
  
  We know of Argentine ants in many parts of Auckland, Northland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Hawke's Bay, Wellington, Nelson and Christchurch.
  
  https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/pests-and-threats/animal-pests/argentine-ants/
  
  About 20 years ago there was an infestation of them in the Bay of Plenty, Tauranga city council was coming around deploying ant bait around people's houses for free.
  
  Pale green stuff dispensed from a caulking gun, seemed to do a good job.
Why do we need to import sniffer dogs from Argentina? Are the local ant sniffer doggos not good enough?
- I'm not sure if you're on a wind up or not.
- Argentines are the best in the world at football, tango, and ant sniffing.
This is great news!!!
Aaah that's great!

You've viewed 15 comments.