An invasion of Argentine ants is driving Patea residents to despair.
Patea Community Board member Ruth MacKay said the ants are in the town in their millions.
"It doesn't matter how many times you spray they just keep multiplying and coming back. And we're not talking hundreds, we're talking millions."
Mrs MacKay said there were a lot of elderly people in Patea who simply could not cope with the plague.
"They're everywhere. Any food you have, you absolutely have to keep it in the fridge. It's out of control and everyone is so sick of these ants."