The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development is asking residents of East Fremantle and surrounding suburbs to keep a look out for the exotic pest Polyphagous shot-hole borer (PSHB), following several new detections.
The department has confirmed detections within the current Quarantine Area, as well as in the nearby suburbs of Claremont, Myaree, Dalkeith and Attadale.
Chief plant biosecurity officer Sonya Broughton said the department was continuing to conduct surveillance, trapping and inspections and respond to reports of suspect detections.
“Advice on the extent of the infestation and further actions required will be provided, once the latest technical information and data has been reviewed and a national determination is made,” she said.
“DPIRD is examining the potential extension of the Quarantine Area and the public will be advised as soon as practicable.”
Residents are asked to report any PSHB symptoms to the department as soon as possible, including tiny multiple entrance holes on the trunk or branches, frass extruding from the tree and crystalline foam (sugar volcanoes) exuded from the entry holes.
Other signs to look out for are thick resin or sap on the branches or truck of a tree, dark brown to black staining of the wood around entrance holes and dying branches and tree death.
Residents in affected areas are asked not to move any wood or green waste that could act as hosts for the borer from their properties, including bark, potted plants, firewood, tree prunings, logs, plant cuttings, mulch, timber, wood or wood chips.
PSHB does not affect grass, so lawn clippings can be disposed of as normal.
Any gardening machinery or equipment used for tree lopping, gardening, mulching, wood chipping or handling green waste must not be moved outside of the Quarantine Area unless it has been cleaned of all green waste material and decontaminated.
If residents need to dispose of wood and garden waste they must do it through an approved council collection only.
More advice to residents is available on the department website agric.wa.gov.au/borer
DPIRD reminds residents to look for signs of the pest and report to the department’s Pest and Disease Information Service on 9368 3080 or via the MyPestGuideReporter app or email padis@dpird.wa.gov.au.
Picture caption: DPIRD has asked residents in East Fremantle and surrounding suburbs to report any symptoms of the pest Polyphagous shot-hole borer, like tiny holes in tree trunks and branches.
Media contacts:
Megan Broad/Katrina Bowers, media liaison +61 (0)8 9368 3937
