City of Cockburn - Wetlands to Waves

Pests and Animals

Poultry | Cats | Dogs | Bees | Rats | Wasps | Portugese Millipedes Mosquitoes

Poultry

If you are looking to keep poultry on your property there are requirements under the Citys local laws that must be met depending on if you are in a residential area, or the resource zone. Please refer to the following information:

• Guidelines for the keeping of Poultry within Residential Areas
• Guidelines for the Keeping of Poultry within Resource Zones

No Person is to keep a Rooster, Turkey , Goose, Peacock or Peahen on any residential premises.

Cats

Uncontrolled household and feral cats can create a nuisance in our community. The City of Cockburn is lucky to have many bushland and wetland areas, which support a wealth of native wildlife. Unfortunately, many native animals such as bandicoots and possums have drastically declined in number or been completely lost largely due to predation by introduced animals, particularly foxes and cats.

The City relies on cat owners to act responsibly. What can you do?

• Make sure your cat wears a collar with bells.
• Desex your cat.
• Don't allow your cat to roam.

If you have a nuisance cat in your area there are methods and sprays available to repel cats from your property.  Where the nuisance cat is feral, it can be trapped and humanely euthanised by a vet or other authorised person. Where a trapped cat has an identification collar, it must be returned to it's owner.

Any one residential property may have up to 3 adult cats. A property with 4 or more adult cats will need to apply for a cattery licence.

For further information refer to our Guidelines on Keeping Cats.

Dogs

Please refer to the Rangers.

Bees

The location of a bee hive established by 'wild' bees determines who is responsible for them. If on private property it is the owner or occupier's responsibility.  It is recommended that you contact a licensed pest controller to treat the hive.  If on Council land please contact the City's Parks and Gardens Services on 9411 3444.

If you are looking at establishing a bee hive within the City, you will require a permit from the City's Health Services. The permit will detail the requirements of the City of Cockburn (Local Government Act) Local Laws 2000 concerning bee keeping.

For general information on bees please refer to our Keeping Bees and Swarming Bees pamphlet

Rats

It is common in the colder months to have more sightings of mice or rats on your property, or hear them in your roof as they seek shelter in buildings and residential areas.  To discourage rodents from your property:

• Stack firewood uniformly and keep it away from the sides of sheds and fences, and off the ground.
• Limit garden waste and disused materials in sheds and around the yard.
• Trim shrubs, hedges and undergrowth and remove dead branches from trees, especially palm trees.
• Remove fruits and nuts from trees and vines as soon as they are ripe.
• Block holes and other potential access points to areas in buildings that could provide shelter.
• Store pet food in sealed containers and regularly clean pet dishes and bird cages.
• Ensure compost containers and rubbish bins are sealed.  

Talk to your neighbours and set up a baiting program.  Use baits according to the packet instructions and make sure they are placed out of reach from children and pets.  Use waterproof baits outside in sheds and around the garden.  Make sure that baits are secured and are checked regularly and replenished.  Rodents must consume baits over a series of days for the poison to be effective.  If you are worried about using baits, consider traps instead, using foods such as peanut butter, apple or nuts to attract the rodents.

For more information on rodent control, view the City's Health Services Rat Activity in your Neighbourhood and the Department of Healths Facts on Rats.

Wasps

If you are experiencing a problem with wasps on your property, it is recommended that you contact a licensed pest controller to treat the nest.  To treat the nest yourself follow the information linked below.

Almost all sightings are of the more common Paper Wasp and not likely to be an European  Wasp. If residents have any doubts they should refer to the following guides that assist to identify the European Wasp.

• Wasp Identification Guide
• European Wasps

The most recent European wasp identification guide GardenNote No 30, has the current phone number (Freecall 1800 084 881) and contact details for the Department of Agriculture and Food, which can also be found on the Department of Agriculture and Food website www.agric.wa.gov.au, search for European wasp and select the Wasp identification guide No. 30 (2007) PDF GardenNote.

The public is urged to report any sightings to the Pest and Disease Information Service on Freecall 1800 084 881 during normal office hours MondayFriday 8.00am-5.00pm

EUROPEAN WASP ENQUIRIES AND IDENTICATION SERVICES
Department of Agriculture and Food WA
3 Baron Hay-Court,
South Perth WA 6151
Freecall: 1800 084 881
Email: info@agric.wa.gov.au

 
Portugese Millipedes

Portuguese millipedes are an introduced species of millipede with a smooth cylindrical body, ranging in colour from black/grey to light brown.  They were first found in WA in the late 1980s in the Roleystone area.  They have slowly moved towards the coast and are now found in some areas of the City including Coogee and Spearwood.

Portuguese millipedes invade homes when the first rains start.  They normally live outdoors where they feed on leaf litter, damp wood and mosses.  They are not harmful to animals or human and do not breed inside homes.  They are attracted to lights and organic matter including compost, leaf litter and mulch.

For information on how to prevent the millipedes from being attracted to your home, refer to the Department of Agriculture Garden Note.

Mosquitoes

Info on Ross River Virus and Barmah Forest Virus in WA

The Citys Health Service commences routine trapping, using dry ice (carbon dioxide) and light traps between October and March. Historical trap sites include Lake Coogee (South), Lake Coogee (East), Thomsons Lake (West), Kogolup Lake (East), North Lake Road (Wetland), Bibra Lake (East), Market Garden Swamp (West). Health Services also respond to enquiries and requests regarding increase of mosquito numbers in residential areas. Traps can be set in these areas to establish numbers and species which can provide information as to specific types of water bodies (natural or man made) that should be further investigated. 

Why do Health Services monitor mosquito numbers and species?

Although most mosquitoes will be considered a nuisance, entering houses and buzzing in your ear whilst searching for a blood meal, some species are known vectors of Ross River Virus (RRV), Barmah Forest Virus (BFV). RRV and BFV can impact significantly on an infected persons lifestyle. Symptoms can include painful and/or swollen joints, sore muscles, aching tendons, skin rashes, fever, tiredness, headaches and swollen lymph nodes. It is Health Services aim to reduce annual reported cases of RRV and BFV within the City by introducing sound management principles and practices.

Why do mosquitoes need a blood meal?

It is only the adult female mosquito that requires a blood meal (protein) to produce eggs. Some mosquito species can fly up to 50km in search of a blood meal, most species average up to 2-5km. Mosquitoes are attracted to carbon dioxide (exhaled air), warmth, body odour, perspiration and light.

Do Health Services spray the lakes?

The Citys lake systems are not only recreationally and aesthetically valuable but of significant environmental importance. For example Thomsons Lake is a RAMSAR listed Wetland of International Importance (migratory birds). Thomsons Lake is one of 19 wetlands in Beeliar Regional Park and is the largest lake in the regional parks eastern chain of wetlands. Collectively the lakes form one of the most important wetland systems in the Perth metropolitan area. It is for this reason the Citys Health Service does not chemically treat any of the natural lakes and ecosystems.

What about man made water bodies and structures?

Health Services are actively investigating, mapping and where necessary treating mosquito breeding man made water bodies with target specific and environmentally sensitive treatment options. 

Health Services will also be focusing on residential swimming pools that have not been maintained (filtration and chlorination) and provide breeding grounds for mosquitoes. With the licence acquisition of Nearmap mapping system (updated monthly), the Citys Health Service will be identifying and contacting property owners of unmaintained pools and will require action to be taken.

What can I do to protect myself and stop mosquitoes breeding around my home?

• Reduce outdoor activities during high mosquito activity periods (dawn and dusk)
• Cover up by wearing light coloured long sleeve shirts and long pants that are loose fitting
• Apply personal insect repellent containing DEET or Picaridin if possible
• Ensure fly screens to doors and windows are fitted and maintained
  Check your property for potential breeding sources:
  • Empty pot plant bases weekly or fill the base with sand to absorb water;
  • Bromeliads and other water holding plants should be washed out weekly;
  • Clean roof gutters out regularly and trim back trees which can block gutters;
  • Ensure rainwater tank overflow pipes are screened and access covers fitted securely;
  • Keep swimming pools maintained;
  • Ensure plumbing and vents to septic tanks are screened;
    Birdbaths and ornamental pools should be washed out weekly.
  • For further information regarding the Citys mosquito monitoring and management program please call Health Services on 9411 3589.

Department of Health WA information:

Environmental Health Guide-Mosquitoes in Your Backyard.

If midge are causing a nuisance to your property, please refer to Environmental Services.