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Pests and weeds

This page provides information about pests and weeds in the City of Stirling. 

Pests

The City can provide assistance when pests such as vermin, flies, mosquitoes and European wasps are reported on public property.

Common pests in the City’s parks, reserves and beaches include rabbits, foxes and feral cats. The City conducts rabbit baiting and fox trapping each summer in an attempt to control population numbers and to reduce the impact on natural ecosystems.

  • European wasps have the ability to cause significant environmental damage by preying on native insects, competing with other animals such as birds.

    To report a sighting, please contact the Department of Agriculture and Food on 1800 084 881.

  • To minimise mosquitoes, flies and midges on your property:

    • Place flywire on all doors and windows
    • Ensure lids on septic tanks, soak wells and leach drains are sealed 
    • Make sure your sewerage vent pipe has a fly-proof cowl
    • Keep waste bins and compost containers clean and well maintained
    • Wrap all food scraps tightly and place them in your waste bin immediately
    • Keep pet food dishes clean and store pet food supplies securely in sealed containers.

    The City accepts enquiries about midges but is limited in terms of chemical control options, as there is none registered specifically for midge control in lakes and wetlands.

    For more information, please visit the Healthy WA website.

  • Rats are present in most cities and suburban areas due to the many opportunities for food and shelter.

    To prevent rats on your property:

    • Remove fruit and nuts from trees or vines
    • Keep pet food dishes clean and store pet food supplies securely in sealed containers
    • Prune overgrown shrubs and long grass regularly
    • Store firewood away from sheds and fences, and keep it at least 40cm off the ground
    • Ensure that potential access points to buildings are blocked
    • Keep waste bins and compost containers clean and well maintained.

    How to eradicate rats

    Rat poisons have been found to negatively affect native fauna and have directly contributed to the decline of our native Boobook Owls.There are several modern 'wildlife friendly' traps available in most garden retail shops.  The City recommends that traps are supplemented with the following control methods:

    • Not leaving leftover pet food outdoors
    • Ensuring rubbish bins are securely closed
    • Keeping gardens and sheds tidy to prevent nesting and hiding places
    • Removing Palm trees which provide a favourite food source and nest for rats.

    For more information please contact the City's Natural Areas Conservation team on  (08) 9205 8555.

     

     

Weed management

Weed invasion threatens the biodiversity of our conservation reserves and affects the function, community use and amenity of our public spaces.The City uses an integrated approach to weed and pest management. This means when chemical-free weed controls are not effective or feasible, the City selectively uses herbicides and pesticides.

Seasonal weed control using herbicide Glyphosate will be conducted from September 2019 to the end of December 2019 (weather permitting) as follows:

  • Glyphosate will be applied in accordance with label directions and best practice from the Western Australian Department of Health to road kerbs, footpaths, public access ways and traffic islands throughout the City
  • Application will cease in wet or windy conditions and nozzle protection shrouds will be used to minimise spray drift
  • Weed spraying vehicles will have clear signage showing ‘Slow Moving Vehicle, Spraying in Progress’ and display the Contractor’s name.

​Residents seeking exemption from glyphosate use on areas abutting their property can have their name and property address recorded on the No-Spray list, by contacting the City on (08) 9205 8555.

Weed and Pest Management Policy

After consultation with the community, a Policy and Plan have been developed outlining the City’s approach to weed and pest management and how residents, ratepayers and visitors will be notified when pesticides are applied. 

To view the Weed and Pest Management Policy, please click here. To view the Pesticide Use Notification Plan, please click here.

The City is committed to pesticide reduction and responsible use and is now implementing a range of chemical free initiatives to manage weeds and pests. To learn more, view the Pesticide Reduction Fact Sheet, here.

City of Stirling weeds manual

Caltrop

Caltrop is found mostly on dry sandy soils. It can extract soil moisture from great depths, allowing the plant to thrive under very dry conditions.

In the City of Stirling, the weed is likely to affect recreational activities as the sharp, rigid spines on its fruit can easily penetrate human skin. It can also damage the feet of animals, and if eaten can harm the mouths and internal organs of native wildlife and pets.

For more information on how to identify caltrop and other weeds, please visit the WA Department of Agriculture or Flora Base websites. 

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