By Skandha Gunasekara The Agriculture Department has warned farmers to take steps to eradicate the fast-spreading yellow-spotted locust infestation by July, lest the menace becomes uncontrollable. Department of Export Agriculture Director General Dr. A.P. Heenkenda told The Morning that farmers must take steps to curb the spread as soon as possible. “By July, the locusts will begin forming wings and then they will travel and spread faster, making it much harder to contain them,” he said. Dr. Heenkenda said that they had advised all farmers to battle the spread of the swarm. “We have already informed the farmers of the dangers. We have advised them to use natural techniques such as setting controlled fires to eradicate the locusts. In areas where the infestation is aggressive, we have advised them to use mild insecticides,” he said. He said the locusts were mainly focused on areca nut plantations and coconut plantations. “Fortunately, they hadn’t affected the cinnamon plantations in the South but areca nut plantations are vulnerable,” Dr. Heenkenda noted.