Get free help managing European wasps and bees. Plus, read our advice for dealing with mosquitoes, rats, snakes, pigeons, magpies and foxes.
European wasps
European wasps are an introduced pest in Australia. They harm our environment and can be dangerous to humans and animals. Picnics and BBQs often attract wasps because they love the same food that we love, like meat and sweets. Remember that if you annoy a wasp, it may sting you multiple times, but if you leave wasps alone, they won't bother you.
We can destroy a European wasp nest on your property if you request us to, but we don't destroy the nests of native wasps such as Paper wasps and Mud wasps. You can find out how to identify European wasps and locate a nest.
Bees
Bees are the superheroes of our gardens, parks and farms. They pollinate the flowers and plants that we love and they help us grow most of the food we eat, so it’s a sign of a healthy environment to see a few bees buzzing about. Bees also provide us with wax and delicious honey.
When the weather heats up, you’ll see more bees about, and they might build a hive in your garden or around your house. Where ever possible we'll remove the hive from a residential property or from City of PAE land. While we will do our best, it might not always be possible to remove or relocate the hive when they are located in areas such as wall cavities and tree hollows in trees, insecticidal dusting maybe the only option in these circumstances.
When you first see a swarm of bees they may just be passing through, so we ask that you wait at least 48 hours before contacting us. The exception is if the swarm is in a hazardous location where people are in danger, in which case please contact us immediately.
Other pests
Mosquitoes can be really annoying but they rarely transmit disease or cause serious harm in our local area. They're most active when it's hotter, from October to April, and they like to breed in shallow water.
We manage known breeding spots to reduce mosquito numbers, but if you notice lots of mozzies you should check around your area for shallow water on your property.
Our factsheet below can help you identify and prevent breeding spots as well as let you know the best way to protect yourself from mozzies when you're outdoors. Learn more from the mosquito information sheet.
If you have a persistent problem with a mosquito breeding spot you can contact us on 8405 6600.
Rats and mice are common pests, but you can stop them taking hold on your property by making sure that they can't find food easily and there’s nowhere for them to shelter. Clean up fallen fruit, vegetables and nuts in your garden. Enclose your compost heaps and make sure that you don’t compost meat scraps. Pet food can attract rodents, so clean pet food bowls regularly and store animal food in sealed containers.
It's also important that you chat to your neighbours so you can tackle any rat and mice problems together. We'll only clear a property of rats or mice if there's an infestation or a real risk to public health.
You can read more information on the SA Health website or in our rat prevention information sheet.
You're more likely to see snakes, especially the eastern brown snake, when the temperature is warmer in summer and spring. Snakes are protected under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972. If you see a snake, don't touch it, and keep kids and pets away.
To reduce the risk from snakes:
- Clean up around your home
- Tidy up gardens
- Control mice and rats
- Check your outdoor boots before putting them on
- Don't put your hand where you can't see
- Hire a professional to remove snakes
Only properly trained and licensed snake catchers are allowed to handle snakes due to protection laws, so you should always hire a professional to remove a snake from your property. You can find local snake removers listed on Google.
If you spot a snake on City of PAE land, contact us on 8405 6600 and provide as much information about the location of the snake as possible.
Uncontrolled pigeon flocks are a health and safety hazard for our export grain industry. They’re also a nuisance for building owners and the public because of the mess and destruction they create.
Read our feral pigeon factsheet to find out how you can deter pigeons around your home or business.
Magpies will swoop people to protect their nests during the breeding season from August to October. To avoid swooping magpies, change the route you take or try travelling in groups because magpies will usually only target individuals.
You can check out the Department for Environment and Water website for more details on avoiding magpies and use the magpie alert map to find or report swooping magpies across Australia.
Native animals sometimes run into problems in suburban areas. If you find injured native wildlife, contact Fauna Rescue SA.
Foxes travel long distances in search of food and you’ll sometimes see them roaming around your neighbourhood. We don’t shoot or poison foxes, but we’ll fumigate a den on City of PAE land if we can do it safely.
If you spot a fox, please let us know by emailing service@cityofpae.sa.gov.au so we can keep a record of sightings in our area.
