Pests and Insects

PESTS AND INSECTS

The Town can be contacted for advice on pest control in relation to rodents, cockroaches, mosquitoes, bees and European wasps. Please click on the links below for further information:

•  Rodents
•  Cockroaches
•  Flies
•  European Wasps
•  Bees
•  Mosquitoes

For more detailed information on pesticides and pest control, please contact the Pesticide Safety Branch of the Health Department of WA:

General Enquiries: 9285 5500
                       Email: pesticidesafety@health.wa.gov.au

For further information on Bees and European Wasps, Ants and native pests and animals, please contact the Department of Agriculture and Food on the details below.

Pest and Disease Information Service & European Wasp Hotline: 1800 084 881

General Enquiries: 9368 3333
                      Email: enquiries@agric.wa.gov.au
                 Website: www.agric.wa.gov.au

Rats

Rats are a common problem within the Town of Mosman Park, therefore it is important that all residents take necessary measures to ensure that rodent populations are kept to a manageable level.

The Town of Mosman Park can provide residents with both indoor and outdoor rat bait if required. This can be collected from the Town’s main administration building free of charge.

It is important to note that owners and occupiers are required by law to prevent the harbourage of rats as well as securing their destruction. Some important measures that can be taken to discourage rodents and rodent breeding include:

• Removing rotten and dried fruit and nuts from trees or vines at the end of the season;
• Cleaning up pet food dishes and water bowls and remove any other food sources (e.g. vegetable gardens);
• Regularly remove garden waste or other disused materials from your property and cover waste bins; and
• Do not allow junk and garden refuse to accumulate in your yard and sheds.

More information can be found below:

•   WA Department of Health’s Facts on Rats brochure – please click here .
•   WA Department of Health – please click here

Cockroaches

All owners and occupiers have a responsibility to take appropriate and effective measures in and around their property to eradicate any cockroaches in or on the premises. You can help to eliminate cockroaches in and around your home by:

• Washing and storing (immediately after use) cooking and eating utensils;
• Wrapping and depositing all food scraps, uneaten pet food and garbage in a rubbish receptacle without delay; and
• Properly treating your premises when required with appropriate baits, insecticides or appropriate chemical methods, taking care not to harm the safety of humans and pets or to contaminate food or cooking or eating utensils.

Flies

It is an owner or occupiers responsibility to ensure that their property or items on their property are not kept in such a manner that could potentially attract or be a breeding place for flies, unless that matter or item is covered, protected, treated or dealt with in such a manner as to effectively prevent it from attracting or being a breeding place for flies.

You can prevent flies from being attracted to or breeding on your property by:

• Ensuring rubbish receptacles are kept clean and tightly sealed at all times when not in use;
• Clearing away or tightly wrapping food scraps and uneaten pet food, and ensuring that it is put in a rubbish receptacle (bin) without delay;
• Ensuring lawn clippings used on gardens as mulch are raked out thinly;
• Digging fertilisers well into soil and garden beds;
• Keeping compost heaps well covered;
• Keeping barbecues clean and free from food scraps;
• Ensuring anything that is buried and may attract or be a breeding place for flies is covered with at least 100 millimetres of soil; and
• Cleaning up excrement from your pets and properly disposing without delay.

European Wasps

European wasps are exotic pests that have become well established in the eastern states however not yet in Western Australia. European wasps attack bees and bee hives and rob them of honey, and have been known to completely destroy hives, damage soft fruits, cause environmental damage through direct predation on native insects and compete with other species including birds.

European wasps are also extremely aggressive, stinging repeatedly with little or no provocation. If these pests become well established in the West, they will seriously impact on our way of life as well as our native flora and fauna.

Identifying a European Wasp

Photo courtesy of the WA Department of Agriculture and Food

Any sightings of black and yellow wasps settling on pet foods, fish or other meat products should be regarded as particularly suspicious and reported immediately to the Western Australian Department Agriculture & Food.

Department of Agriculture and Food’s European Wasp Hotline: 1800 084 881

General Enquiries: 9368 3333
                       Email: enquiries@agric.wa.gov.au
                  Website: www.agric.wa.gov.au

To view the Department of Agriculture and Food’s “Wasp Identification Guide” please click here

Bees

If you are experiencing a problem with bees on your own private property, please contact a registered pest control operator. It is the responsibility of an owner or occupier to ensure that bees and bee hives are removed safely and effectively.

If you are experiencing any problems with bees from your neighbour's property, please contact the Town’s Environmental Health Officer.

If you spot a bee hive or are experiencing any problems with bees on any of the Town’s parks, reserves or verges, please contact the Town of Mosman Park on 9384 1633 to arrange for the prompt removal of the bees and hive.

Please click here for further information on keeping of bees within the Town.
 

Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes can be a serious nuisance, particularly during warmer months as this is when they generally breed in higher numbers. Occasionally, mosquitoes may spread disease-causing viruses such as Ross River, Barmah Forest and Murray Valley encephalitis virus, therefore it is important that you try to avoid mosquito bites and take appropriate measures to ensure mosquitoes are not breeding at your property.

For information on mosquito control and bite prevention click on the links below:

• Protecting your home and family from mosquitoes
• Mosquito bite prevention

For information on mosquito-borne diseases and mosquito management programs please contact the Department of Health’s Environmental Health Directorate:
Enquiries: 9285 5500
       Email: mosquito@health.wa.gov.au

Protecting your home and family from mosquitoes

It is an owner or occupiers responsibility to ensure that adequate measures are taken within their property to prevent mosquito breeding. Remember, mosquitoes breed in stagnant water and so it is important to ensure that you remove any potential breeding sites in and around your property. Below are some common steps that you can take to help eliminate breeding areas in your own backyard:

• Dispose of all containers which have the potential to hold water
• Keep ornamental ponds stocked with mosquito-eating fish (e.g. goldfish);
• Keep ponds free of vegetation and keep water moving (e.g. a fountain);
• Keep swimming pools well chlorinated, filtered and free of dead leaves;
• Fill or drain depressions in the ground that hold water and clear gutters of leaves and debris;
• Protect rainwater tanks with insect proof mesh over inlet, overflow and inspection ports;
• Empty pot plant drip trays once a week or fill them with sand; and
• Empty and clean your pets’ drinking water bowl once a week.

More information can be found in the WA Department of Health’s publication, “Mosquitoes in Your Backyard” – please click here

Mosquito bite prevention

There are also some simple steps that you and your family can take to help reduce mosquito bites:

• Avoid outdoor exposure to mosquitoes from dusk and the first few hours after dark as this is when mosquitoes are most active;
• Wear protective long loose-fitting clothing when outdoors;
• Use a personal repellent containing diethyl toluamide (DEET) or picaridin – These are the most effective and long-lasting chemicals in repellent lotions or gels;
• Install insect screens on the doors and windows of your home, and on enclosed outdoor recreation areas; and
• Ensure infants and children are adequately protected, preferably with suitable clothing, bed nets or other forms of insect screening.