The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development says the surveillance season for the European wasp has ended with a significant decline in nest detections and distribution.
Senior Technical Officer at the Department, Marc Widmer said marked progress had been made towards achieving localised eradication.
“European wasps are one of the world’s worst social pests,” Mr Widner said,
“They pose a threat to agriculture, the environment, human and pet health and Western Australian’s outdoor lifestyle and tourism,” he said.
“The result was achieved by an extensive surveillance campaign in the Perth Hills, aided by trapping and reporting by Local Government authorities, the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions and the community.”
He said that after a record-breaking season the previous year, European wasp detections in the State were down 29 per cent in 2019-20 to 118, with most in the Perth metropolitan area and the only regional detections at Hyden and Geraldton.
“The Department invested additional time and resources into the surveillance program to scour 140,000 hectares for wasps,” Mr Widmer said.
“The program will continue in the Perth Hills next season to monitor wasp activity.”
He said surveillance confirmed the eradication of a significant infestation near the Perth Stadium, backed by intensive trapping and no public reports.
“Last season, we received several reports of wasps stripping meat from a discarded crab carcass and another from a patron fighting wasps for his pizza that led to eight nest detections in the area,” he said.
“With recreational activities returning to Perth Stadium soon, the Local Governments of Victoria Park, Vincent, Perth and South Perth are helping us to urge the community to remain on alert for the pest, in case it returns,” Mr Widner said.
