Pests

European wasps are an introduced species and are a pest that can be harmful to the environment. Bees are needed to help our environment. If bees are not causing a risk to health or safety, they should be left alone. For further information on identifying bees from wasps, visit the Department of Health website.

When to be concerned:

• The wasp’s nest is located where people may be at risk of stings.
• The beehive is located where people may be risk of stings.

Power Poles

For bees or wasps located in or on power poles contact SP Ausnet on 13 17 99.

For wasps located in Telstra or NBN co pits contact Telstra on 13 22 03 or contact NBN co.

Rats and mice are usually found where people live. Rodents are usually a communal problem, nesting on one property and travel through other properties to get food or water. Working with your neighbours is the best way to resolve rodent issues.

How to prevent and control rodents on your property

Prevent pests by inspecting the outside of your home:

• Keep lawns cut around your home
• Keep trees and vines away from your house.
• Store firewood away from the sides of sheds and fences and keep it off the ground.
• Pest proof your home by sealing gaps and holes under eaves, roof tiles and in external walls — rodents can squeeze through the smallest of gaps.

Reduce food supply:

• Don't provide a source of food/water inside or outside your home.
• Don't compost meat scraps or large amounts of food.
• Ensure there is no leftover food/seed when feeding animals/birds.
• Remove fruit and nuts from trees or vines and off the ground at the end of the season.

Reduce pest movement:

• Keeping your garden well maintained and the grass mowed to reduce places for rodents to pass through or live on your property.
• Trim back tree branches over hanging the fence line.

Pest control:

• Baiting is an effective way of dealing with rats and mice on your property but some types of bait, (Second Generation Anticoagulant Rodenticides (SGARs) have been shown to have devastating impacts on some native animals, particularly predatory birds such as the Powerful Owl. 
• To reduce the impact of bait application, avoid all use of SGARs. These contain active ingredients including brodifacoum, bromadiolone, difenacoum, difethialone, or flocoumafen.
• A safer alternative is to use First Generation Anticoagulant Rodenticides, which include the active ingredients warfarin, coumatetralyl, diphacinone, or pindone.
• Rats and mice tend to travel the same routes to food sources, which can assist in knowing where to remove any food and where to put baits or traps inside
• Use chemical baits in your roof but avoid using baits in open areas or under the house where pets or native animals can find them.

For more information on rodents visit the Department of Health website

Mosquitoes can carry Mosquito-borne diseases and can make people ill and, in severe cases, can cause death.

The Public Health and Wellbeing Regulations 2019 outline the obligations of property owners and occupiers, to manage mosquitoes on their property.

• A property owner or occupier must take reasonable steps to control any mosquito breeding ground on the premises or property.
• Decrease or remove any conditions on the property that may contribute to the establishment of a mosquito breeding ground.

For example: Water collecting on the ground or in containers. A pool that is not cleaned or treated. These can contribute to establishment of a mosquito breeding ground.

Prevent mosquitoes breeding on your property

Mosquitoes breed in still water. Here are some simple ways you can reduce mosquito numbers on your property:

• Dispose of all tins, tyres and other rubbish containers that may hold water.
• Put sand around bases of pot plants to absorb excess water in the dish.
• Keep swimming pools chlorinated, salted or empty them completely when not in use for considerable periods (Empty children’s wading pools regularly).
• Empty bird baths and pets’ drinking water at least once a week.
• Keep fishponds stocked with fish.
• Remove weeds and grass from drains to enable them to drain freely.
• Keep roof guttering in good repair and regularly remove leaves and debris so that pools of water do not form. Keep lawns and gardens well maintained so that you are not providing shelter for adult mosquitoes.

Learn more about protecting yourself from mosquitoes

• Mosquitoes - protect your home checklist
• Beat the Bite
• Mosquitoes can carry diseases