Pests

Pest Information

Pests come in all shapes and sizes and can be real…well, pests! Find out about some of your neighbourhood pests below. 

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) is the best source of information on pests, including spiders, insects and animals.  DPIRD has also put out a great community resource website and app, MyPestGuide. By using the MyPestGuide Reporter app, you will be supporting your local community, defending WA's agriculture industry, and protecting the natural environment from unusual or suspected exotic pests.

Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development Website

MyPestGuide Reporter app 

 If you would like to make an enquiry or complaint about pests, use the Online Pest Enquiry Form.

Pest Enquiry Form

Mosquitoes

Common containers around our homes which collect rainwater or water from reticulation systems can become suitable habitats for mosquito breeding.  The mosquito species that breed in these containers is a known transmitter of the Ross River Virus disease.

There are hundreds of other species of mosquitoes which breed in other water bodies, such as road drains, septic tanks, disused swimming pools, saltmarshes etc.  Some of these species also can transmit Ross River Virus.

It is important for all of us to do what we can to minimise mosquito breeding in order to reduce their impact on our health and lifestyle.  For more information regarding mosquitoes and mosquito-borne diseases, please read our Mosquitoes Information Sheet.

Mosquitoes Information Sheet

Mosquito Forecast

The Town of Bassendean is also a member of the East Swan River Contiguous Local Authority Group (CLAG) with the Cities of Bayswater, Belmont and Swan and the Town of Victoria Park.

For more information on our mosquito monitoring and control Program, have a look at our Mosquito Management Pamphlet

Mosquito Management Pamphlet

Fight the Bite’ mozzie campaign

Launched in November 2016, the Fight the Bite campaign (Healthy WA) is aimed at reducing mosquito-borne diseases that afflict individuals, communities and the healthcare system.  The three central messages are to:

  • cover up
  • repel (use repellent)
  • clean up areas around the home where mosquitoes can breed.

Rats

Rats are almost always present throughout cities and suburban areas due to the opportunities for food and shelter afforded by human activity. In established suburbs, food and water is readily available from such things as fruit trees and pet food.  Baiting and trapping have traditionally been the most common ways of eliminating rats and mice, however, preventing them from breeding, by improving sanitation around our homes and businesses, should always be the first step.

More information about pest rats can be found on our Rats Information Sheet. 

Rats Information Sheet

Flies

There are different types of flies found in Western Australia, and many of them never bother us – in fact, many species of flies are useful for pollination and disposal of manure. We’re all painfully aware, however, that the flies that do pester us range in nuisance value from annoying to dangerous to our health and damaging to important industries.

House flies, bush flies, blow flies, March flies/horse flies

Besides being a nuisance, flies can also carry bacteria. You can prevent flies breeding in and around your home by taking some basic steps:

  • Make sure your rubbish and recycling bins are clean and closed at all times;
  • Wrap all food scraps tightly and place them in the bin immediately;
  • Keep poultry and pet areas clean at all times.
  • Don't leave lawn clippings in heaps, rake them out thinly;
  • Dig any manures and fertilisers well into the soil.

The Department of Health Website has further information on the life cycle of flies, diseases caused by flies, and control of flies

Department of Health Website

Fruit fly

The fruit fly, or medfly, is a serious horticultural pest in Western Australia, causing untold damage to crops and reducing income for our growers and farmers.

Fruit fly is a declared pest under the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007, and it is mandatory to control in some areas of Western Australia, including Armadale, Kalamunda, Mundaring, Serpentine-Jarrahdale and Swan.  Here in Bassendean, our proximity to the Swan Valley means we have a special responsibility to prevent the spread of fruit fly to businesses in the area.  It is essential for backyard growers to dispose of fly-infested or unwanted fruit, including fruit left on the tree.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development’s Agriculture (AGRIC) and Food Team have put together a fantastic range of information on identifying and controlling fruit fly.

Midges

Midges are small, gnat-like flies often found near wetlands.  Non-biting midges don’t carry disease, but can cause a nuisance in residential areas, due to their attraction to lights. Midges can swarm in large numbers. However, these mating swarms are usually short-lived and tend to disperse within a few days. As midges are not disease carriers, Health Services do not treat for them.

European Wasps

European wasps are a dangerous pest posing a risk to health and safety and the environment in which we live.

The European Wasp is native to Europe, North Africa and parts of Asia. They were first found in Australia in Tasmania in 1959. European Wasp queens are accidentally transported into WA by freight and cargo from over east.  The first sightings in WA were reported in 1977. Since then, an aggressive eradication program has been ongoing.

How do you identify European Wasp?

European Wasps can be difficult to tell apart from the common Paper Wasp. Use the images on the Identifying European Wasps pamphlet to assist with distinguishing between the two.

Identifying European Wasps

What is being done?

DPIRD works with the Town, other local governments and state government departments such as the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) to provide programs relating to inspection and maintenance of surveillance traps, wasp tracking, nest location and destruction, public awareness and community trapping.

What can you do?

Sightings of these wasps are to be reported. If you believe you have sighted a European Wasp, contact Pest and Disease Information Service (PaDIS).  For more information, visit the DPIRD website.

Pest and Disease Information Service (PaDIS)

Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development Website 

Shot-hole and House Borers

Pholyphagous Shot-hole Borer

Polyphagous Shot-hole Borer (Euwallacea fornicatus) is a newly detected species in WA, and has the potential to significantly impact a wide range of trees, including ornamentals, native vegetation and the fruit and nut tree industries. This borer was first detected in Fremantle in September 2021, there is currently a Quarantine Area Notice covering 17 local government areas.

 For more information on Polyphagous Shot-hole Borer, identification and quarantine information, visit Polyphagous shot-hole borer | Agriculture and Food

European House Borer

European house borer (EHB) Hylotrupes bajulus was first detected in WA in 2004 and has the potential to cause structural damage to house, buildings and furniture. The species affects pines, including untreated timber and dead wood on living trees. Areas of Eden Hill and Bassendean fall within the EHB Restricted Movement Zone, which restricts the movement, storage, treatment and disposal of pinewood.

 For more information on European House Borer, identification and Restricted Movement Zone requirements and boundaries, visit: European house borer | Agriculture and Food