Pests are animal including insects that are troublesome, annoying or destructive and are in a large enough number to affect people. Pest numbers can often be controlled using the right combination of methods. In this section, information about the following pests will be outlined:

• Rats
• Possums
• Bees
• Wasps
• Mosquitoes
• Crows

For further information on the above or other pests, please click on the link Agricultural Department of WA.

Rats

Perth has a resident population of rats that have resisted the efforts of man to eliminate them.

Residents can assist in controlling the number of rats and mice by:

• Ensuring that creepers and vegetation are cut back regularly;
• Woodpiles and the like are kept tidy and stored clear of the ground and walls/fences;
• Pet food and fallen fruit are not left out at night;
• Bird and animal enclosures are kept clean and their food supplies kept in vermin proof containers;
• Compost is not kept in uncovered heaps, but rather in proper containers.
• Carrying out proper baiting when rats are detected.

Free Rat bait is available for residents in small quantities from the Council Office. Information pamphlets and advice from Environmental Health Officers is also available.

An information note about rodents can be accessed by clicking on the link below.

Rodent Info Note

An information note outlining some hints on rat baiting can be accessed by clicking on the link below.

Rat Baiting Hints Info Note

An information note outlining rat bait can be accessed by clicking on the link below.

Rat Bait Info Note

Possums

Possums are usually noticed by residents when a possum gains access to the roof space of a building and starts making noise by moving around. Possums can be trapped and released but it is best to also find out where it entered the roof space so that the gap can be sealed. You can also construct a nesting box so that the possum does not move elsewhere and become someone else's problem.

An information note outlining tips for using possum traps can be accessed by clicking on the link below.

Tips For Using Possum Traps Info Note

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Bees

If bees or a bee hive is found on private property, please contact a registered pest control operator or Bee Swarm collector (numbers are available in the Yellow Pages, see Pest Control and/or Beekeepers). If bees are present on Council land including the roadverge and are causing a hazard please contact Council and an Officer will investigate and take the necessary action to remove the bees and the hive.

Paper Wasps and European Wasps

Most wasps are Paper Wasps. Paper wasps are larger than a bee with a bright yellow and black (or yellow, orange and black) long, thin body. Paper wasps fly with their back legs hanging down and often hover.

Nests can be easily removed by spraying them thoroughly after dark with household fly spray or surface spray. Then after a few minutes, scrape the nest into a plastic bag, tie it up and put in to the rubbish bin. Nests left unremoved will produce more queens to start nests the following spring.

European wasps are rarely seen. They and black and yellow with thick black antennae and hold their legs close to body during flight. They fly very quickly and tend not to hover. If nests are found, contact the Agricultural Department of WA. Wasps sting repeatedly and it is hazardous to approach the nest. Do not attempt to treat the nest yourself.

Crows (Australian Ravens)

If envelopes are being pulled out of your letterbox, try putting margarine then pepper on an object such as a blank envelope and leave this protruding from your mailbox for several days. This should discourage this nuisance.

Also, try to minimise the number of objects protruding from the area (ie- letters sticking out of the mailbox), by placing a sign "no junk mail" on the mailbox.

You can contact the Duty Wildlife Officer at Conservation and Land Management (CALM) on 9334 0292 for further information.