Pests, Weeds & Diseases

The European Wasp (Vespula germanica) is native to Europe, Northern Africa and temperate Asia and has become established in many other places around the world. Outside its natural habitat, it is a serious social, environmental and agricultural pest.

While it can be found in some parts of Australia and fertilised wasp queens are reaching Western Australia, every sighting in Western Australia has been successfully eradicated so far.

European Wasps are aggressive scavenging and predatory pests that live in rural and urban areas. They are opportunistic and feed upon fruit, human and pet food, insects and carrion.

The European Wasp is a declared pest under the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007 and must be reported for eradication if found in Western Australia. They can be distinguished from native wasps by their behaviour (such as scavenging on human food and drinks and pet food, flying in and out of a single hole in the ground and flying with raised legs) and distinctive physical characteristics (including black antennae).

Control

The European wasp surveillance and eradication program (Adopt-a-trap) is coordinated by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD).

What to do about European Wasps if you spot them

To report any suspected sightings contact DPIRD’s Pest and Disease Information Service (PaDIS) on (08) 9368 3080 or email padis@dpird.wa.gov.au.

Do not try to remove or treat European wasp nests yourself. They are however commonly confused with the paper wasp so please refer to this identification guide before you call to be sure they are not the common paper wasp.

A paper wasp nest can be removed by the householder using a good quality outdoor surface insect spray to douse the nest, after the sun has set, as this is when the wasps are least active. It is recommended to wear full sleeves and trousers as a precaution, as these wasps are capable of administering a painful sting. If you are not comfortable removing the nest yourself please contact a pest control operator for assistance. Further information is available on the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPRID).

Portuguese millipedes are native to southwest Europe and have been found in the hills area since the late 1980’s. They feed on decaying plant matter and, although they do not pose a risk to public health, their numbers can cause a nuisance to residents. Portuguese millipedes are most abundant when the first rains occur during autumn and early winter. They are attracted to light, so avoid having house lights left on overnight. Further information is available on the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPRID).

Rainbow lorikeets (Trichoglossus haematodus) were introduced into Western Australia during the 1960s and are well established in Perth.

They can compete with other species for food and nest sites, cause damage to backyard and commercial fruit crops, and foul outdoor areas. They also carry Psittacine beak and feather disease which poses a potential disease risk to wild and captive parrots.

Please refer to Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (Parks and Wildlife) factsheet more information on the control of this and other legislation relating to these fauna.

Animal welfare

All lorikeet management activities must comply with the Animal Welfare Act 2002, which requires that pest animals are handled and killed humanely. Only competent persons should undertake control activities, all other persons should seek veterinary or other expert assistance

The Black Rat (Rattus rattus) is an introduced pest found throughout Australia and can infest residential and agricultural areas and transmit disease.

Often found in urban environments, Black Rats are versatile and may be found in buildings (in walls or ceilings, under floors and behind or under cupboards and bathtubs), in sheds, rubbish heaps, wood piles, thick vegetation and animal enclosures. They feed on rubbish, human and pet food, compost, fallen fruit and dog faeces.

Under public and environmental health legislation, it is the responsibility of owners and occupiers of premises to prevent rodents from living and breeding on their property.

Control

Private Properties

There are a number of things people can do to avoid rodent problems including:

• Dispose of food scraps promptly
• Block potential rodent entrances
• Ensure rubbish is not accessible by rodents and is regulary emptied
• Stack materials such as wood and bricks at least 30 centimetres (cm) above the ground to reduce available places to hide or nest
• Clean out sheds and storage areas frequently and dispose of unwanted items;
• Remove unwanted undergrowth
• Dispose of fallen fruit, seed and waste from aviaries and chicken pens and pet faeces;
• Do not use open compost heaps
• Do not compost any animal products (fish, meat, chicken, cheese, butter) or pet faeces.
• Do not leave out extra pet food
• Store pet food in vermin proof containers
• Cover rainwater tank openings and floor vents with wire mesh no coarser than 1 millimetre (mm) and check and maintain these regularly

A broad Black Rat control program may include chemical control, trapping and poison baiting.

Chemical Control

As part of a broader control program, the use of some chemicals can be effective. The City recommends being mindful if choosing a rodenticide as some anticoagulant (blood thinning) rodenticides (rat and mouse poisons) can take a long time to break down, causing secondary poisoning to pets and wildlife, such as hawks and owls, that eat the poisoned rats.

Products containing brodifacoum, bromadialone and difethialone should be avoided as they are long-lasting second generation products and are much more likely to unintentionally poison wildlife. Warfarin and coumatetralyl are “first generation” anticoagulant rodenticides which break down much faster and are less likely to cause secondary poisoning. Check the ‘Active Constituent’ on the labelling of baits to find which rodenticide it contains. Be sure to follow the directions on the label to help reduce the risk of unintentionally poisoning wildlife and pets.

Trapping

Choose a trap suitable for Black Rats as traps often vary is size and strength. Multiple traps used at once are more effective. Traps should be checked daily.

Speak to a licence pest control operator if you have any questions regarding the control of Black Rats.

The European Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) is a native of south-western Europe and was introduced to Australia with the First Fleet in 1788. It was the fastest spread of a colonising mammal anywhere in the world, soon followed by the European Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) using the rabbit as a reliable and abundant source of food.

In Western Australia, rabbits are declared pests under the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management (BAM) Act 2007 requiring landholders to control rabbits on their properties.

Rabbits have a significant impact on the environment by grazing native plants, particularly threatened plants and communities, and competing with native animals for food and habitat.

Control

Federal, state and local governments are working to control wild rabbit populations through the release of Rabbit Calicivirus Disease (RCD), a biological control agent. The virus is spread from rabbits through mosquitos and other vectors such as fleas and flies. The virus is specific to the European rabbit and will not affect any other animals.

City of Kalamunda

The City of Kalamunda will complement the Nation-wide RCD control initiative by the release of the current strain of RCD (RHDV1 K5) in mid-December 2018. RCD is a biological control agent of the European rabbit in Australia and is spread from rabbits through mosquitos and other vectors such as fleas and flies. The virus is specific to the European rabbit and will not affect any other animals.

Other government agencies outside of the City of Kalamunda may undertake rabbit control programs, including the release of RCD, at their own discretion. Given the virus is spread through mosquitos and other vectors such as fleas and flies, the risk of a rabbit contracting the virus could exist at any given time.

To assist with monitoring of the program, the community is encouraged to report deceased rabbits or any other rabbit activity using RabbitScan or via the PestSmart website and app.

Private Properties

Effective rabbit control is achieved by using a combination of control measures and persistence.

When controlling rabbits, it is important to ensure native wildlife are not harmed and native vegetation, culturally significant areas and/or waterways are protected. If the control involves the use of chemicals, all applicable requirements of the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Control of Use) Regulations 2006 must be met.

Control methods may include:

• Baiting with 1080 or pindone baits
• Warren fumigation
• Warren ripping
• Harbourage destruction

Domestic Rabbits

If you are the owner of a domestic rabbit, you are urged to ensure their vaccinations are up to date to protect them from contracting the virus. New recommendations suggest that pet owners should ensure their rabbit is immunised every six months. If you are unsure of your rabbit’s vaccination history or would like more information about the vaccination, please contact your vet.

For more information or visit the Australian Veterinary Association’s website regarding RHD protection and prevention. 

 

The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is a native of the northern hemisphere. Since foxes were introduced to Victoria in 1855 for recreational hunting they have adapted to nearly all habitats and are now distributed across most of Australia, including Tasmania. Numbers are estimated at 1 to 10 or more foxes per square kilometre and it is thought that they may travel 10 kilometres out of their home territory. Foxes have a diverse diet including fruit and insects, preferring ground dwelling animals. They are agile and proficient at climbing structures and trees, much like a cat. Since being introduced to the Australian wild, the fox has contributed to the decline and extinction of more mammals than anywhere else in the world.

Our native mammals most at risk of easy prey of foxes are small and medium-sized animals weighing 35 grams to 5.5 kilograms (kg). In the City of Kalamunda, the following fauna vulnerable to fox predation are threatened species under either the Federal Environmental Biodiversity and Conservation Act or the WA Wildlife Conservation Act:

• Brush-tailed Phascogale (Phascogale tapoatafa)
• Chuditch (Dasyurus geoffroii)
• Carpet Python (Morelia spilota imbricata)
• Quenda (Isoodon fusciventer)
• Rainbow Bee-eater (Merops ornatus)
• Rakali (water rat) (Hydromys chrysogaster)
• Western Brush Wallaby (Notomacropus irma)
• Woylie (Bettongia penicillata)

Other species not listed under these acts but also vulnerable to foxes include:

• Brush-tailed Possum (Trichsorus vulpecula)
• Echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatu acanthion)
• Pacific Black Duck (Anus superciliosa)

Fox numbers are estimated at one (1) to 10 or more foxes per square kilometre and it is thought that they may travel 10 kilometres out of their home territory. Foxes have a diverse diet including fruit and insects, preferring ground dwelling animals. They are agile and proficient at climbing structures and trees, much like a cat.

A female fox will mate once per year in winter producing four to six cubs after a five-week gestation period. The semi-mature adults leave the den and secure new territory in Autumn and are sexually mature at one year old.

They are excellent predators and a major economic threat to agriculture in Australia. Foxes prey on domesticated rabbits, lambs, goats, birds and other new-born livestock. They can carry diseases and mange to domestic and agricultural animals, and to humans.

Foxes also spread weed seeds from plants such as Blackberry, a Weed of national Significance.

Under WA’s Biosecurity and Agricultural Management Act 2007 (the Act) foxes are a declared pest and must be controlled by reducing numbers and distribution across the state to alleviate harmful impacts. It is the responsibility of all land owners and managers to control foxes found on their land.

Control

City of Kalamunda

Outside of the City’s obligation under the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007, the primary reason for undertaking a fox control program is to reduce the negative impact on the native fauna populations in bushland reserves of the City. Due to the City's predominate urban setting and proximity of natural reserves, foxes can be difficult to control as poison baits are not appropriate and foxes will live on lands owned by various agencies and people.

The most effective control is achieved during late winter and spring. At this time the mature breeding foxes are less mobile due to rearing young. At other times there is increased likelihood of capturing young animals, rather than mature adults. The removal of only young foxes may not result in a reduction in the overall population of foxes, as young fox numbers are substantially reduced in the first year as a result of food competition and predation.  

Fox activity reported by residents is substantiated by setting remote cameras in reserves close to sightings. If foxes are observed by the cameras, a licensed professional pest animal contractor is engaged to use prescribed methods to control the foxes.
Prescribed methods of fox control include:

• 1080 and other poisoned baits
• Shooting
• Trapping
• Den destruction
• Den fumigation

1080, a Schedule 7 poison, and use and discharge of a firearm on public land in urban areas are not appropriate. Therefore, the City of Kalamunda employ physical den destruction and trapping methods in our urban and peri-urban localities.

Trapping

Soft catch jawed traps and cage traps are the two methods that can be employed to capture and control foxes. The City of Kalamunda utilise the soft padded jaw traps as it is considered the method that is most efficient for our local conditions while having the lowest impact on the catch and non-target species. Only a licenced operator may trap foxes and traps are placed in reserves no longer than 2 weeks for each campaign.

Soft catch jawed traps: The use of soft catch jawed traps is regulated by the Animal Welfare Act 2002 and Animal Welfare (General) Regulations 2003 and can only be used if the jaws are padded and modified so that the captured animal is unlikely to suffer significant injury. Under the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007, a permit from Department of Industries and Regional Development (Agriculture and Food) is required to use soft catch jawed traps.

To minimise risks of off target capture, the minimum number of traps per trapping site are set. The traps are strategically located to minimise risk of capturing non-target species such as domestic dogs and other West Australian wildlife. Areas deemed too unsafe to trap due to risk of non-target capture, or high traffic areas are avoided.

Warning signs are erected at all entrances to the reserve. The signs warn of trapping being undertaken and that dogs must be kept on lead. In closer proximity to the traps further signs are erected stating that dogs are prohibited past that point for the duration of the trapping period. Trapped foxes are euthanized on site and disposed of at a registered disposal site.

Licenced operators provide advice to the Department on target species (foxes) and non-target species (domestic and native animal) catches. Of the catches in the Perth metropolitan area 1% were dogs, 4.3% were cats and less than 1% each rabbits and birds.

Of those animals caught in the soft jawed traps, 97.3% suffered nil to minor injury no greater than slight swelling. Less than moderate injury without broken bones and sometimes including teeth or gum damage is encountered less than 3% of the time. There were no reports of moderate, severe or extreme rated injuries involving tissue, tendon or bone damage, large cuts or lacerations.

All contractors engaged by the City are required to provide job safety analyses that detail all risks and associated management measures for people and the catch. The City seeks to ensure that all relevant Acts, regulations, guidelines and best practice are complied with for the works. 

Cage traps: Whilst cage traps pose a lower risk to domestic animals than foot-hold traps, the use of cage traps on foxes dramatically reduces the capture rates on foxes compared to foot-hold traps. Few foxes are caught in cage traps (Saunders and McLeod 2007). Cage traps tend only to catch young foxes and only after much free feeding.

Den destruction
Where active fox dens are found, they are broken open and filled. Unused and inactive fox dens are GPS logged and checked as part of the on-going program. Some local governments will fumigate active dens where it is appropriate.

When do we do it?

Outside of the City’s obligation under the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007, the primary reason for undertaking a fox control program is to reduce the negative impact on the native fauna populations in bushland reserves of the City.  The most effective control is achieved during late winter and spring.  At this time the mature breeding foxes are less mobile rearing young.  At other times there is increased likelihood of capturing young animals, rather than mature adults.   

 

Private Properties

If you have an issue with a fox on your property please contact a pest control operator who will determine the best method of control suited to your local environment and the associated cost.

Foxes in the City most often become a problem later in the year when young foxes are dispersing. To ensure your poultry is not harmed, killed or taken by foxes, make sure they are kept in a secure pen.

If you live in a rural area, more control options are available, to investigate these please contact the Department of Primary Industry and Regional Development (DPIRD) on 1300 374 731 (1300 DPIRD1).

Further Information:

• Red fox: https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/pest-mammals/red-fox 
• Fox control: https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/chemicals/fox-control
• Fox baiting: https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/1080/fox-baiting
  

Feral cats (Felis catus) are found in most habitats across Australia. They threaten the survival of many native animals and have contributed to the extinction some mammals and ground-dwelling birds. They can also carry and spread infectious diseases to native animals, livestock and humans.

Feral and domestic cats are the same species however in the wild cats survive by hunting and scavenging and are usually solitary and nocturnal. They are carnivorous and have a broad diet which depends of prey availability of small mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and insects.

Feral cats have been declared as pests by the Meeting of Environment Ministers (Melbourne, 15 July 2015) which also started the process of removing unnecessary barriers to effective and humane control of feral cats. It was agreed that feral cat management is a priority in threatened species recovery programs, and to pursue the development of a national best practice approach to the keeping of domestic cats.

Please refer to the Department of Environment website for further details including controlling feral cats.

Most bee swarms occur during Spring as they hunt for a new nesting sites. Swarms usually last only a day or two before flying off in search of a suitable location to nest. They prefer enclosed nesting location such as hollow trees or wall cavities. Where they establish a nest on your property you may need the assistance of a pest controller or beekeeper to remove them, do not attempt to remove them yourself. Honey bees are generally quite docile and will not normally sting unless provoked.

If you are having a problem with a nest located on City land, please contact our Parks and Gardens Department for removal.

More Information

For more information please refer to the Honey Bee swarms information page produced by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPRID).

The European House Borer (EHB) is a destructive pest of seasoned softwoods including pine, fir and spruce. The beetle’s larvae can cause major structural damage to soft timbers of homes and furniture. For this reason the movement storage and disposal of untreated pine within EHB affected areas which include the City of Kalamunda is restricted, with significant penalties for beaching these restrictions. 

If you spot a suspected infestation please contact the European House Borer Hotline on 1800 084 881. 

More Information

Further information including factsheets is available on the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPRID).

 

Flies can be a serious pest of humans and livestock, they have the potential to transmit disease and some species can inflict painful bites. Fly breeding can be prevented by keeping compost heaps covered, avoiding the build-up of manure in chicken runs and ensuring that garbage bins are kept closed.  When placing manure on the garden it should be dug in to a depth of about 150 millimetres (mm) to prevent it providing a breeding site for flies. Allowing flies to breed is an offence

More Information

For further information please refer to Compost, Manure and Flies information page or the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPRID).

 

The Stable Fly (Stomoxys calcitrans), is also sometimes called the “biting fly”, "biting house fly" or “dog fly”. This fly has been in Australia for over 100 years and is a synanthropic (associated with human activities) pest, mainly biting horses and cattle, but also humans, dogs and pigs in order to obtain blood. Stable Flies are difficult to distinguish from house flies, the main difference being stable flies have a bayonet like mouthpart (proboscis) protruding from the front of the head. 

More Information

The Stable Fly Action Group website has more information on managing Stable Flies.

Mosquito bites can be irritating and painful, particularly to infants and sensitive people. Some species also pose a health risk as they are able to transmit infections such as  Ross River and Barmah Forest Virus. For these reasons it is important that we work together to help reduce mosquito breeding in the City of Kalamunda.

The City’s Health Services conducts Annual Mosquito Control Programs to monitor and treat areas to help reduce mosquito numbers.

More Information

For more information on  Ross River and Barmah Forest Virus please refer to the Department of Health's website.

Mediterranean fruit fly or Medfly is a serious horticultural pest in the Perth Hills and southern regions of Western Australia. It attacks a range of cultivated fruits including some fruiting vegetables.
Three main control strategies are recommended:

• Cover spraying
• Bait or spot spraying
• Lure and kill devices

The effectiveness of these control techniques should be monitored with traps.

Medfly not only affects crop production, but limits access to interstate and overseas markets.

More Information

Further information is available from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPRID).

Below is a list of Information Sheets for other domestic pests. Further information on common pests is available from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPRID).

• Cockroaches
• Fleas
• Food Storage Pests
• Head Lice
• Pigeons