Residents in the Kelmscott and Munster areas are urged to keep an eye out for European wasps which have established a presence in the suburbs and surrounding areas this year.
Department senior technical officer Marc Widmer said eight of the 49 European wasp nests destroyed by the Department of Agriculture and Food this year were located around Kelmscott and Mt Nasura.
Munster and High Wycombe have also emerged as problem suburbs, with another 15 nests found in those areas.
“Following the destruction of six nests two years ago and eight nests so far this year, it appears Kelmscott has become a new problem area for the wasp,” Mr Widmer said.
“We’re asking keen-eyed members of the community to help detect European wasps.
“European wasps are considered the world’s worst wasp pest. They threaten Western Australia’s outdoor lifestyle, tourism, human health and the wellbeing of our pets and livestock.
“Our horticulture, viticulture and apiculture industries would also be affected if the pest became established in WA.”
Mr Widmer said European wasps posed an increasing threat to Western Australia as their range in eastern Australia expanded and increased numbers of fertilized queens started new nests here after being accidentally transported to WA.
“Trap surveillance has played a key role in our success in preventing European wasps from establishing in Western Australia,” he said.
“The department currently maintains more than 550 surveillance traps in the Perth metropolitan area and this is complemented by 120 local government traps and an additional 300 traps adopted by community volunteers.
“The traps are designed specifically to attract European wasps and when they catch a wasp, the department knows to search nearby for a nest.
“I encourage all residents and local governments, particularly in the Kelmscott and Munster regions, to join the ‘adopt-a-trap’ program and support our European wasp surveillance activities.”
Since the first European wasp nest was found in Western Australia in 1977, 850 nests have been found and destroyed, so that WA is the only place in the world to prevent European wasps from establishing.
European wasps resemble common yellow paper wasps and have black and yellow stripes. However, paper wasps have orange-brown antennae while European wasp antennae are black. Paper wasps hover with their legs dangling down, while European wasps fly swiftly with their legs tucked up under them.
European wasps are also unique in their attraction to protein.
“Any wasp that is attracted to meat or fish products on barbeques and pet food, or dead bugs on car grilles, are suspicious and should be reported,” Mr Widmer said.
To report suspect European wasps or for more information about the ‘adopt-a-trap’ program, contact the department’s Pest and Disease Information Service (PaDIS) on 1800 084 881 or go to the department website agric.wa.gov.au
Media contact: Jodie Thomson/Dionne Tindale, media liaison +61 (0)8 9368 3937