This video was sourced from CSIRO

This method of control is suitable where specific agents, approved by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, based on extensive suitability testing.

The conditions under which biocontrol will work vary greatly from one agent to the next, however it can be broadly said that this method is suitable for controlling large areas of weeds that are difficult to access otherwise or where alternate control methods cannot be applied. In individual cases it may also be singularly effective or effective in conjunction with strategic herbicide control.

Before you attempt to implement biocontrol, make sure:

• you have identified target weeds correctly (all are host specific so if the weed is miss-identified there will be no response at all)
• you can obtain approved agents from a reliable source
• you have a good understanding of the likelihood of success and have considered the need to integrate biological control with other methods of control
• that adequate measures have been implemented to prevent dispersal when transporting materials

Aquatic Biological Controls

Council operates a biological control facility in Zillmere to breed insects that target invasive aquatic weeds.

We currently breed four species of weevil within the biological control facility:

• salvinia weevil (Cyrtobagous salviniae)
• water hyacinth weevils (Neochetina bruchi and Neochetina eichorniae)
• water lettuce weevil (Neohydromonus affinis).

These weevils are grown to combat:

• salvinia (Salvinia molesta)
• water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes)
• water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes).

A breeding program is underway, in collaboration with the CSIRO and Seqwater for a fifth weevil species (Hydrotimetes natans), to manage Cabomba (Cabomba caroliniana).
Council's biocontrol facility is the largest in Australia, supplying biological controls for the management of aquatic weeds across South East Queensland.
Eligible residents can apply to use weevils on their private property.

More information

For more information, or to apply for biological control to manage aquatic weeds, please visit the [Aquatic Weeds](https://www.brisban, e.qld.gov.au/environment-and-water/wildlife-and-conservation/invasive-species/aquatic-weeds) page on the Brisbane City Council website, or send an email to the Invasive species team.