Pest Control

European Wasps

European wasps are a hazard during warmer weather, and can be found in most areas of Melbourne. Without knowing the location of the nest, it is not possible to get rid of this pest. Worker wasps normally fly 50m-250m from their nest in search of food during the day. To find the nest it is necessary to follow the wasps back from the food. The nest can usually be located by the constant stream of wasps landing close to the entrance. Nests are often found under eaves, in walls, or in the ground. If above ground, the nest will be football sized or larger, and is of a cardboard light grey appearance.

Size	Queens - 20mm, Males - 17mm, Workers - 15mm
Colour	Bright yellow and black
Behaviour	Common around picnics and barbeques, flies swiftly making little noise and is aggressive when threatened.
Costs	Wasps are a danger to humans and animals, cause problems to many horticultural and manufacturing industries and may be a threat to native ecosystems.

For more information visit the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) website at www.csiro.au/resources/ps1sm.

If you find a European Wasp nest in Maroondah, then the following applies:

• On your own land: You can either treat the nest yourself, or engage the services of a professional pest control company. If treating nests yourself we advise caution. Do not try this if you are allergic to bees, wasps, or ants. Treat the nest at night using a torch with red cellophane covering the light. Use an insecticide like Baygon Surface Spray with Propoxur according to the manufacturer's instructions. The surface spray is available from supermarkets.
  If engaging the services of a pest control company, residents should check prices with companies listed in the yellow pages telephone book or contact Council's Public Health Unit for assistance. Council has negotiated a discounted price ($55) for pensioners with Pestaway Australia (telephone 9850 3777).
• On your neighbour's land: You can either talk to your neighbour yourself, or advise Council's Public Health Unit and an Environmental Health Officer will visit your neighbour to advise them of the problem.
• On Council's land: If the nest is on the nature strip or in a park, call Council's Public Health Unit on 1300 88 22 33 for assistance.

Bees

During the months of September to December, bee swarms will occur. Bees can be collected by an apiarist if the swarm is readily accessible. Advice on bees can be obtained by phoning Council's Public Health team on 1300 88 22 33 to discuss whether an apiarist should be contacted, and to obtain current apiarist contact details. Council has negotiated a discounted price ($55) for pensioners with Pestaway Australia (telephone 9850 3777).

Rodents

Rats and mice are a common problem.

If you are having problems with rodents, then the following applies: 

• On your own land: You can either treat the problem yourself, or engage the services of a professional pest control company. If treating it yourself, poison baits and traps can be purchased at supermarkets and hardware stores. Wax block baits are best for external areas where the bait is likely to get wet. Dry pellet baits are more suitable for indoors.
• On your neighbour's land: You can either talk to your neighbour yourself, or advise Council's Public Health Unit and an Environmental Health Officer will visit your neighbour to advise them of the problem.
• On Council's land: If the rats or mice are not on private land, contact Council's Public Health Unit on 1300 88 22 33 to discuss the situation.

White Tailed Spiders

Symptoms of a white-tailed spider bite:

• The bite produces a clearly-visible puncture mark.
• The bite can cause local burning pain, sometimes followed by blistering and ulcerations.
• Reaction to the bite may also vary widely - it can be rapid and painful with violent vomiting and diarrhoea, or gradual with relatively little pain.
• Most bites occur when people try to kill or remove the spider.
• Precautions:
  • Do not leave clothes on the floor
  • Shake out bedding and clothes
  • Vacuum under curtains.

First Aid

Although dangerous, the bite is not fatal.

Some people have found that Aloe Vera in ointment or in fresh leaf form can help neutralise the effects of a bite-apply generously over the wound. Lanacane cream can also be used OR apply an ice pack.

The portion of flesh dissolving enzymes contained in the venom of a single bite can fit on the head of a pin.

The venom carries the bacterium Mycobacterium ulcerans which is believed to cause the spread of an infected, ulcerated sore.

For more Information refer to Australian Museum Online.

Other Pests

Contact Council's Public Health team on 1300 88 22 33 for assistance with identifying spiders and other insects.