Rodents

Before putting any pets and wildlife at risk from rat baits, firstly:

• keep your place clean and tidy, clean up brush piles and rubbish, secure compost heaps
• pick up fallen fruits
• seal holes and other potential entry points in buildings and enclosures
• use traps – a wide variety of traps is available; careful positioning is necessary to be effective and reduce harm to non-target species, particularly with lethal traps that ‘kill first and ask questions later’.
• Place all traps and baits out of reach of non-target animals – noting that setting baits and traps where there is a reasonable chance of killing or catching native wildlife is in fact illegal unless licensed.
• Some suggestions for attracting rats into traps – pumpkin seed, nuts, dried fruit, roasted oats (roast them in a pan until they have a great nutty smell), bacon.

(Source: https://owlfriendly.org.au/rodent-control/)

If you are needing to bait your house / land for rodents, the City recommends against the use of second generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs). This is because the active ingredient in these baits is more potent, as the lethal dose can be delivered in a single feeding. If these rodents are then eaten by other animals, there is a risk of ‘secondary poisoning’. This is where there is still enough poison in the rodent to be a lethal dose to the animal who consumes it.

There are alternatives on the market - first generation anticoagulant rodenticides (FGARs). Rodents must consume these baits for several consecutive feedings to consume a lethal dose. FGARs break down in rodents quicker than second generation anticoagulant rodenticides, so there is less chance of secondary poisoning occurring in non-target animals if they eat rodents poisoned with a FGAR.

Look out for baits with active ingredients of warfarin, coumatetralyl and diphacinone.

(Source: https://apvma.gov.au/node/87226)

Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes can be a nuisance and they can transmit viruses and parasites that may cause sickness in humans and animals. The City of Vincent has a mosquito management program in place to control and prevent mosquito breeding.

The peak mosquito season for Perth metropolitan area runs during spring and summer, from September to March.

Mosquitoes can breed around your home. They will lay their eggs in fresh or salty water, and often in containers that hold water. Common breeding sites include pot plant drip trays, gutters, ponds, pet water bowls, old tyres, rubbish containers and pools that are not well maintained. For further information refer to the HealthyWA page prevent mosquito bites at home.

There are a number of simple ways to prevent being bitten and reduce mosquito breeding around your home.

Cover up – wear long, loose-fitting, light coloured clothing, covering as much of the body as you can

Repel – when outdoors and mosquitoes are present, apply insect repellent containing DEET (diethyltoluamide) or picaridin evenly to exposed skin

Clean up – simple changes around your home can reduce mosquito breeding. Remove, empty or cover water holding containers.

For more information visit the HealthyWA website, click on the link below.

mosquitoes

Bees

Please visit the City's bee keeping web page.

bee keeping

Chickens, poultry and pigeons

These are regulated under the City of Vincent Health Local Law 2004. Poultry includes peafowls, turkeys, geese, ducks and other domestic fowls. The following rules apply:

• within the City of Vincent, there is a 'prohibited area' where poultry and pigeons are not permitted (see definition below).
• outside of the 'prohibited area' the following requirements apply:
  • anyone who is not an Affiliated Person (i.e. a member of a pigeon club as defined in the Health Local Law 2004) is only permitted to keep a maximum combined total of 12 poultry and pigeons on one lot of land
  • anyone who is an Affiliated Person, is permitted to keep a maximum of 100 pigeons and 12 poultry on one lot of land
• an owner or operator is permitted to keep a maximum of 20 miscellaneous birds on any premises within the district (this includes all birds other than poultry and registered homing or racing pigeons)

Conditions for keeping poultry, pigeons and doves

Although the Health Local Law 2004 specifies conditions for keeping birds on property, the City applies a risk based approach to enforcing these in assessing whether or not they are creating a public health nuisance. 

Roosters, geese, turkeys and peafowls

Unfortunately these birds are not permitted to be kept within the City of Vincent due to the noise nuisance. 

European wasps

European wasps are a declared pest species and sightings should be reported to the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD). To identify a European wasp visit DPIRD's European wasp identification website.

To report a suspected sighting take photos and submit them for identification via MyPestGuide™ Reporter or email them to PaDIS (which are the quickest ways to report for ID). Alternatively, phone 9368 3080 to speak with to DPIRD's Pest and Disease Information Service.

NOTE:  Your report should include: What you saw , where you saw it, and when it happened.

'Adopt a trap' program

The City’s Health Services participates in an annual European wasp ‘adopt a trap’ surveillance program coordinated by DPIRD to monitor select areas within the City.

All residents can participate in the 'adopt a trap' program. For further information on European wasp surveillance program please visit the DPIRD website.

More Information

Contact Health Services on 9273 6000 or mail@vincent.wa.gov.au