Managing invasive plants, animals and ants after a natural disaster

Natural disasters such as floods, cyclones and fires can affect the distribution and occurrence of invasive plants (weeds), animals and ants, so it's important that you know what to do when a disaster occurs.

Floods and wet weather often create ideal conditions for invasive plant germination and growth. This can lead to increased amounts of food, which encourages invasive animal populations to grow. Invasive species can also easily be spread by vehicles, machinery and equipment associated with recovery.

The damage from natural disasters can mean you are less able to survey and control invasive species on your property - damage to infrastructure can limit access to some areas to undertake management activities, or you may have a reduced capacity to complete the work due to other higher priority flood recovery needs.

Your goal should be to avoid the movement and establishment of invasive species to new areas – preventing spread is easier than undertaking control activities. But even if invasive species spread, there are many important things you can do.

This guide explains your responsibilities for managing invasive plants, animals and ants after a natural disaster.