Infestations
Knox City Council investigates infestations of pest animals on public property.
Residents are responsible for infestations or nuisance animals on their own property.
Report any pest infestation on public property to our Parks Services team on 9298 8000.
Dealing with pest animals
There are different ways to deal safely and effectively with pest animals on your property.
Honey bees and European wasps
A beehive can be removed by a registered apiarist (beekeeper) if it is hanging from a tree or shrub.
If the hive is in a log or in a wall, you need to call a licensed pest controller.
Contact the Victorian Apiarists Association or call 5446 1455 to find a qualified apiarist in your area.
Wasp nests can be treated by a licensed pest controller.
If you are confident enough to treat the nest yourself, there are products available through hardware stores or supermarkets.
You are always advised to follow any product instructions carefully.
DO NOT treat a wasp nest yourself if you are allergic to wasp or bee stings.
Learn more about bees and wasps.
Fire ants
Fire ants pose a serious threat to humans, animals and the environment.
If you find or suspect fire ants you should IMMEDIATELY contact the Department of Environment, Land, Water & Planning (DELWP) on 136 186.
DO NOT TOUCH them or their nest, or try to treat the nest yourself.
If stung, seek immediate medical attention. Early detection is essential in controlling the spread of fire ants.
Learn more about fire ants.
Rats and mice
Baiting is the most effective way of dealing with rats and mice. A number of brands of bait are available in hardware stores and supermarkets.
People with young children and pets should be especially careful and be sure to read the product instructions.
Or you can contact a licensed pest controller.
Swooping birds
The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning provides information on how to avoid being swooped by birds.
Indian Mynas
Indian Mynas are a threat to native animals and biodiversity:
- Their aggressive behaviour outcompetes native animals for space. They force other birds and small mammals out of their nests
- Mynas take over tree hollows and fill them with nesting material. Native birds and animals then cannot use them
- They build large messy nests in roofs from sticks and rubbish. This creates fire hazards and maintenance issues
- Myna droppings and mites from nests in house roofs are a breeding ground for disease. Inhaled mites can cause asthma and hay fever.
Dealing with mynas
- Destroy nests and do not let them nest on your property
- Do not feed mynas and do not leave rubbish or food out for them to scavenge
- Plant out your garden with native prickly shrubs. These will provide shelter and nesting sites for native animals and birds
- Take part in our Indian Myna Control Program by trapping mynas on your property. Council provides a custom-designed trap and approved euthanasia methods. Trap dimensions are 85 cm × 62 cm and you can buy a trap online from Council.
We aim to respond to your request within 5 business days.
- Join Mynascan, a project to map Indian Mynas in your local area and help build knowledge about Mynas across the region.
Possums
Possums are not pests. They are protected and must not be harmed.
Find out how to manage possums on your property.
We do not hire out cages for trapping and relocating possums.
If possums are inside your roof, contact a licensed pest controller.
You can report an injured possum to the RSPCA.
Foxes
Please help us by recording fox sightings. This information will help us plan future fox control programs.
FoxScan is a community website that allows you to record and map sightings of foxes.
Rabbits
Visit the Agriculture Victoria website for more information on how to manage feral rabbits on your property.
Need help?
Contact us and we will get back to you.
Or call our Community Laws department on 9298 8000.
