Polyphagous shot-hole borer
First detected in Western Australia in 2021, polyphagous shot-hole borer (PSHB or Euwallacea fornicatus) is an invasive pest that continues to pose a serious threat to Perth's trees and urban canopy.
State response
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) leads the State's response to PSHB.
Australia's national biosecurity response has shifted from eradication to long-term management. This follows a June 2025 decision by the National Management Group that the pest was no longer technically feasible to eradicate.
Any suspected sightings of PSHB damage should be reported directly to DPIRD MyPestGuide reporter app or the Pest and Disease Information Service.
A Quarantine Area remains in place for the entire Perth metropolitan area, including all suburbs of Vincent, to minimise the risk of spreading the PSHB.
Check WA quarantine area requirements and map
PSHB in Vincent
Protecting our tree canopy continues to be our highest priority. We are actively monitoring, managing and trialling treatment options to help protect trees, limit the spread of PSHB and minimise any further tree loss.
In addition to our work on the ground, Vincent is advocating for additional funding to help us manage the impacts of PSHB as a significant biosecurity threat for Australia.
The below video explains Vincent’s approach to managing PSHB now that the State response has moved to a long-term management phase.
What we are doing
The City is taking a range of actions to protect and enhance the tree canopy, including:
- Appointing two arborists to coordinate and lead PSHB management.
- Installation of 50 PSHB traps throughout key locations, as part of ongoing management.
- Preferencing the use of Australian and Western Australian native, non-PSHB host species in planting project to improve the resilience of our urban forest.
- Increasing the number of new trees planted annually to counteract any future canopy loss on public land due to PSHB.
- Multi-stage revegetation renewal and infill planting across both Hyde Park islands after trees were removed in 2025.
- Restoring and safeguarding trees and habitat at Hyde Park as park of our Hyde Park Protection Program.
- Investigating and facilitating trial treatments to protect high-value heritage trees. A successful trial at Hyde Park is showing positive results and we are now preparing to expand this work to multiple locations across the City.
- Participation in the Western Australian Local Government PSHB Working Group.
Current works
| Date |
Location |
Works |
| April 2026 - current |
Hyde Park (islands) |
Island restoration with approximately 17,000 native species being replanted across both islands. |
Recently completed works
| Date |
Location |
Works |
| 7 – 8 April 2026 |
Hyde Park |
Chemical treatment and pruning of Plane trees surrounding the lake. |
| February 2026 |
Hyde Park |
Removal of deadwood from trees surrounding the lake.
Removal of two highly infested insignificant trees.
|
, susceptible tree species and how to identify and report suspected PSHB damage is the DPIRD website.
Latest updates
Posted 16 April 2026
Second round of planting underway to restore Hyde Park islands
The City is continuing restoration of the Hyde Park islands with thousands of new native plants being established as part of the response to Polyphagous shot‑hole borer.
Posted 30 January 2026
Polyphagous shot-hole borer treatment at Hyde Park
The City, in collaboration with a team of highly specialised arborists, will be undertaking PSHB-related pruning and chemical treatment works
Posted 19 May 2025
Borer affected trees removed from islands at Hyde Park
Work is underway by DPIRD to remove trees heavily infested with Polyphagous shot-hole borer from the islands at Hyde Park.
Posted 10 December 2024
Polyphagous shot-hole borer treatment at Beatty Park
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development has confirmed an infestation of Polyphagous shot-hole borer at Beatty Park.
Posted 08 October 2024
Polyphagous shot-hole borer treatment at Hyde Park
Treatment will start with the most heavily infested trees from 14 October 2024.
Posted 21 February 2024
Hyde Park Reference Group nominations open
We are looking for volunteers to guide the restoration of our tree canopy.
Posted 19 April 2023
PSHB Treatment at Hyde Park
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development will be undertaking works in Hyde Park from late May to stop the spread of the invasive pest Polyphagous shot-hole borer.
Posted 24 January 2023
PSHB Tree Management at Hyde Park
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development will be treating trees infected by the Polyphagous shot-hole borer at Hyde Park in Feburary.
1