Pixabay
Locust spraying teams are working around the clock to combat the brown locust outbreak in several regions of the Eastern Cape.
According to Agri Eastern Cape, the province, along with the Western Cape and Northern Cape, is experiencing a major outbreak in a number of areas, including Aberdeen, Willowmore, Graaff-Reinet, Middelburg, and Somerset East.
"Currently, most of the swarms are still in the hopper life stage, with some areas reporting flyers," said Agri EC's natural resources and water affairs manager, Megan Maritz.
She said the locust spraying teams were working from dusk to dawn in an attempt to control and manage these swarms, and prevent them from maturing and causing more destruction.
Maritz said earlier this month, the Eastern Cape Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform stepped in to provide a truck to ferry insecticide and equipment to the affected areas after the truck at the Department's De Aar office broke down.
She said private farmers were also given the green light to collect insecticide from their District Locust Officer to spray their own lands after receiving a "crash-course" on the correct spraying methods.
Maritz said locust swarms may be reported to DALRRD on 053 631 3122 / 3261.
