The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) is giving more people the opportunity to find out what tiny critters could be lurking in their kitchen with the extension of registrations for its Pantry Blitz 2021.
Senior Development Officer with DPIRD, Rosalie McCauley said Pantry Blitzers would receive a free insect trap and were encouraged to take photos of any tiny visitors in their house or garden to report to the Department.
“Contributors will get a full diagnosis of what their specimen is and whether it poses a risk to their garden or the broader agriculture industry and the environment,” Dr McCauley said.
“Pantry Blitz 2021 officially began on 22 March and initial reports have already started trickling in, keeping the Department’s team busy answering reports,” she said.
“So far 650 traps have been posted to people who have registered for the Pantry Blitz and there will be another mail out of traps to people who register by the 26 March deadline.”
Dr McCauley said the Blitz was a valuable tool to discover any unwanted potential plant pests and diseases that could pose a biosecurity risk.
“These tiny pests can be expert hitchhikers, making their way past WA’s borders unseen, hidden inside shipping containers and furniture,” she said.
“Your pantry could be a pit stop along their journey, while the next stop could be your backyard fruit, garden, your local park – on their way to devastate our forests, paddocks and orchards.”
Dr McCauley said data from the Blitz was documented and used to support evidence of presence and absence of pests and diseases to maintain access to important interstate and overseas markets.
Further information on DPIRD’s Pantry Blitz 2021, including how to participate, can be accessed at this PS News link.
