Pest Animal

PEST ANIMAL CONTROL

​

The Kinglake Ranges has a number of common pests including foxes, Queensland Fruit Fly, rabbits, deer, Indian Mynas, European wasps and European honeybees.

 

Queensland Fruit Fly (QFF): QFF is one of Australia’s worst horticultural pests. It has increased its range to Melbourne and surrounds in the last few years. It is a serious threat to commercial fruit growers and home gardeners. The QFF lays its eggs in many common fruits and fruiting vegetables, including tomatoes, stone fruit, citrus, cherries, berries and grapes. Inside the fruit, the growing larvae cause the flesh of the fruit to rot, making it unsaleable and undesirable to eat. Infested fruit must be disposed of properly to avoid spreading it further to neighbours or nearby farms. You can dispose of infected fruit by putting them in a sealed plastic bag and leaving them out in the sun for at least seven days to destroy eggs and maggots – do not put them in compost. Seek more information from Agriculture Victoria or Fruit Fly Free Yarra Valley

 

Rabbits: Wild rabbits are a serious environmental and agricultural pest, and they are prevalent throughout the Kinglake Ranges. We all have a role to play in controlling rabbits on our land. The Murrindindi Shire Council website has a brochure to guide you in the most successful control techniques.

 

Deer: Deer are increasing in population and extent in the Kinglake Ranges. This large, introduced animal causes a lot of damage by destroying native vegetation, agriculture and gardens. They are also a major hazard on roads. If we work together, we can control the deer population, and protect our precious biodiversity and vital agricultural production.

The Victorian Deer Control Community Network provides a state-wide forum to share information, and experiences, and to collectively seek solutions which will substantially reduce the impact and distribution of feral deer in Victoria.

 

Foxes: Across mainland Australia the fox has played a major role in the decline of ground-nesting birds, small to medium-sized mammals and reptiles. Foxes threaten many locally significant species such as Long-nosed Bandicoot, Lyrebirds and Brush-tailed Phascogales. Foxes also cause significant economic losses to farmers by preying on lambs, kid goats and poultry.

The King Parrot Catchment Fox Control Project is a coordinated, community-based approach to managing foxes across the Kinglake Ranges. Participants in the project use a variety of techniques including baiting, soft-jaw and cage trapping, shooting, and den fumigation.

 

PETS

It is essential that you secure your cats and dogs, especially at night, so that they don’t prey on native animals. Work with your neighbours to make sure they also secure their pets, either indoors or in enclosures. Collar bells on cats have limited success. Never dump unwanted pets in natural areas.  Not only is it cruel, but it is also illegal.

 

Pest Animal Resources:

Queensland Fruit Fly: https://fruitflyfreeyv.com.au/

Rabbit control: https://www.murrindindi.vic.gov.au/files/assets/public/rabbit-control-brochure.pdf

Deer control: https://vdccn.org.au/

Fox control: https://ugln.net/king-parrot-catchment-fox-control-project/