LOCUST UPDATE 30 October 2026

PUBLISHED 30 October 2026

As locust activity continues across parts of South Australia, we are providing an update on current surveillance findings, control activities and support available to landholders.

We recognise this is a detailed update covering a range of activities and regions. As this information is being shared across a broad stakeholder network, some sections may be more relevant to your organisation, industry or location than others.

Current situation

Surveillance update

Flinders and Mid North:

• PIRSA’s locust surveillance continues across the Flinders and Mid North regions, with field teams deployed north of Orroroo conducting vehicle, motorbike and targeted surveys.

• Recent activity identified around Yunta has resulted in the surveillance area being expanded by an additional 12,000 km² to determine the extent and distribution of these populations. These areas will be actively targeted in coming weeks.

• Surveillance teams completed more than 440 hours of field monitoring and targeting activities across locust-affected regions during the reporting period.

• Large areas of locust activity have been detected through field surveys, with priority sites being assessed for potential treatment, subject to required approvals.

• Further new hatchings have been identified in the Baratta and Willippa areas.

• Efforts are continuing to secure formal landholder permissions required to support planned aerial control operations.

In addition to PIRSA’s targeted surveillance activities, we continue to receive reports of locust activity from landholders and community members across other regions of South Australia.

Control update

Flinders and Mid North:

• To date, approximately 50,000 hectares have been treated through aerial control operations across priority locust-affected areas.

• Aerial spraying has targeted large infestations identified through surveillance activities to help reduce locust populations and limit further spread.

• Challenging terrain has restricted access to some target areas, requiring control strategies to be adapted in certain locations.

• Weather conditions have presented operational challenges, requiring control activities to be planned around suitable spraying windows.

 Riverland / Mallee

• Recent aerial surveillance by the Australian Plague Locust Commission (APLC) in the Riverland and Mallee regions bordering with Victoria, has identified localised but concentrated locust activity that may warrant further controls.

• PIRSA is working with the Commission to determine whether targeted small-scale aerial treatment could be undertaken by the APLC safely and effectively.

• The risks associated with broad-scale aerial spraying have not changed. However, where specific concentrations of locusts have been identified by APLC’s aerial surveillance, it is appropriate to assess whether a limited and carefully targeted aerial control operation could be undertaken by the APLC.

• APLC are similarly working closely with Agriculture Victoria in supporting the neighbouring SA and Victorian state Governments with aerial surveillance and potentially aerial control along border regions, providing aerial spraying risks can be appropriately managed.

What else is PIRSA doing

PIRSA continues to deliver a coordinated locust preparedness program which includes the following surveillance, planning and control activities:

• PIRSA has updated and expanded its online locust control resources, including additional chemical treatment advice, to support informed discussions between landholders, agronomists and service providers about suitable control options.

• PIRSA continues to work closely with the Department for Environment and Water (DEW) and the Australian Plague Locust Commission (APLC) to ensure environmental considerations are incorporated into planning and that management plans are in place for control in and around national parks.

• Information on the Chemical Rebate Scheme continues to be shared with landholders to help reduce the cost of locust control. Guidelines have now been expanded to allow up to two applications per property. For full updated eligibility criteria and rebate conditions.

• PIRSA continues to meet fortnightly with the Community Reference Group, whose members provide valuable insights into local conditions and emerging concerns across affected regions.

• Information packs have been distributed through community networks, local businesses and agronomists to increase awareness of locust activity, treatment options and available support resources among landholders. Please reach out if you would like to receive a pack for your business.

• Surveys have been shared through industry networks to gather feedback from landholders, to identify emerging challenges, address information gaps and refine support resources.

• The ‘Stop the Hop’ awareness campaign continues to run across print, radio, digital and social media platforms.

Key messages for landholders

The Australian plague locust is a native Australian insect that can cause significant damage to crops and pastures when populations build to high levels.

Landholders continue to be encouraged to:

• Monitor and report all locust activity.

• Treat early if locusts are detected. Find out more about treatment and control options.

• Take advantage of support available through the Locust Chemical Rebate Scheme where eligible.

• Use only products registered or permitted by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) for their situation.

Landholders are usually best placed to identify and respond to locust activity quickly on their properties. A range of control options may be suitable depending on individual circumstances. Landholders may choose to engage private contractors or aerial service providers if required, taking into account relevant safety, environmental and regulatory requirements.

Advice should be sought from an agronomist, chemical reseller, PIRSA or another suitably qualified adviser before undertaking control activities.

To support landholders, PIRSA has expanded its online locust control resources, including additional chemical treatment advice, to help inform treatment and control decisions.

Extensive surveillance and control work by PIRSA, together with treatment activities undertaken by landholders, has helped manage locust populations across affected areas. However, given the migratory ability of locusts, South Australia may continue to experience some movement of locusts from eastern states, reinforcing the importance of ongoing monitoring and early reporting.

If you see locust activity, report it to PIRSA by calling the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881 or through PIRSA’s online plant pest reporting form.

Beekeeper information

The Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) are advising beekeepers of some new and expanded areas where potential locust control activities may occur, including:

• extended Flinders surveillance area, including around Yunta

• parts of the Riverland and Mallee regions, bordering Victoria

If you have hives located within these areas, it is important that you act NOW to:

• ensure that the relevant landholder is aware that hives are present on their land

• provide current hive location information to PIRSA through the Hive Information iApply form

• Ensure your PIC/HIC details are up to date in myPIRSA

This information helps ensure hives can be identified as sensitive sites and that appropriate buffer zones and other risk mitigation measures can be considered if locust control activities are undertaken.

PIRSA recognises the importance of protecting managed honeybee populations and is working with the Australian Plague Locust Commission (APLC) and other stakeholders to minimise risks to bees wherever possible.

With the South Australian Government providing assistance to eligible landholders through the Locust Chemical Rebate, locust control activities may also be undertaken independently of PIRSA. Treatments may be carried out by landholders, contractors, local councils or government agencies.

For this reason, beekeepers are strongly encouraged to maintain regular communication with landholders where hives are located and ensure hive location information remains current.

This information will assist PIRSA in identifying sensitive sites and communicating directly with hive owners if required. Thank you to the beekeepers who have already taken action.

PIRSA will continue to provide updates as surveillance activities progress and further information becomes available.

For more information on locust activity and PIRSA’s plans, visit pir.sa.gov.au/locusts 

Enquiries or comments can be emailed to [email protected]

FaB Mentors

The Family and Business (FaB) Mentors provide free independent, and confidential support to primary producers, across South Australia. FaB Mentors offer a listening ear and can connect you with a range of assistance options, such as financial counselling, emotional wellbeing services and government support services. Whether you are facing industry challenges, adverse weather conditions or market fluctuations, FaB Mentors can help you navigate available resources.

The FaB team has a diverse variety of business and agricultural backgrounds. Contact any of the mentors and they will link you to the most appropriate assistance.

See here for further FaB information and contact details.