Check during winter for polyphagous shot-hole borer

Metropolitan gardeners are being urged to remain vigilant during winter and continue to look for and report polyphagous shot-hole borer (PSHB) when pruning and placing green waste on the verge for collection.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) is reminding Western Australians that despite the cooler temperatures, these pests will remain active given a moderate winter forecast this year.

Winter storms can also make PSHB detection easier as infested trees can lose limbs, which makes it a good time for residents and businesses to inspect trees for signs of borers.

A quarantine area for PSHB is in place for 25 local government areas across metropolitan Perth – including the City of Stirling – where department officers continue to survey for signs of the tiny borer.

Wood and green waste material cannot be moved outside of the quarantine area to ensure the borer doesn’t spread. The Department recommends purchasing firewood or to ‘buy it where you burn it’ if camping to minimise the risk of spreading PSHB.

Biosecurity is everyone’s business – industry, government and community – and the public makes an important contribution as a first line of defence, which is essential to an effective and efficient response.

Residents are encouraged to check their trees and plants and report any unusual symptoms such as multiple entrance holes on the trunk or branches that are approximately the size of a ballpoint pen tip, frass extruding from the tree and crystalline foam (sugar volcanoes) exuded from the entry holes.

Any suspected PSHB activity should be reported immediately to DPIRD via the MyPestGuide® reporter app, its Pest and Disease Information Service on (08) 9368 3080 or email padis@dpird.wa.gov.au.

Further information about the pest and the quarantine restrictions can be found on the Department’s website www.agric.wa.gov.au/borer.