To protect the local environment and industries it's important pest plants and animals are well controlled and managed.

Pest plants that are a significant threat to agriculture, the natural environment and public health and safety are called declared plants. Land owners have a legal responsibility to manage these plants. The Landscape South Australia Act 2019 sets out the legal framework for:

• banning the sale of declared weeds
• controlling the movement of declared weeds
• destroying or controlling infestations of declared weeds
• notifying authorities when an infestation is detected.

The Northern and Yorke Landscape Board has a clearly defined approach to managing pests and useful information about declared plants of South Australia, what is being done locally to manage pest plants and advice for local landholders. Visit the Northern and Yorke Landscape Board website to find more useful information.

Pest animals can pose a significant threat to agriculture, the natural environment and public health and safety in our region.

To find out more about work under way to control pest animals, the key pests for the Wakefield region, best techniques for controlling pests and your responsibilities as land holders, visit the Northern and Yorke Landscape Board website.

Boxthorn Puller Hire

To help manage the pest plant African Boxthorn, property owners can now hire a heavy-duty Boxthorn puller from Wakefield Regional Council.

The Boxthorn is a very invasive weed known to spread rapidly and grow densely, making it a threat to the economic and environmental wellbeing of the region.

Through the Combating Weeds funding Council has purchased the puller for a hiring scheme, supported by by the Northern and Yorke
Landscape Board.

• Hiring is for a maximum of two-weeks
• No fees or charges for hire
• The puller can be fitted to most modern front-end loaders

To request to hire, please submit an online inquiry hiring form, or call the Council Office on 8862 0800.

Pest and vermin

Rats and mice - Under the Public Health Act 2011 as a property owner or occupier you are responsible for preventing conditions which may contribute to a rat or mouse infestation.

European wasps – do not disturb wasp nests or wasps as they can sting multiple times. If you find a nest location notify us so our Environmental Health Officers can eradicate it.

Mosquitos - any body of water has the potential to act as a mosquito breeding ground. Water tank openings should be covered with mesh to prevent the entry of adult mosquitoes, and water can be treated with a small amount of kerosene or medicinal paraffin oil to deter these insects. Further information on personal protection and control against mosquitoes can be found at SA Health and Mosquito control on private land after floods and storms.

Flies – breeding can be minimised by ensuring your waste bins have tight-fitting lids.

Pigeons - Many property owners do not realise their building has a feral pigeon problem. Factors which indicate a pigeon problem on your property include the following;

• Do one or two pigeons frequent the building?
• Do flocks of pigeons regularly frequent the building?
• Is there an accumulation of pigeon droppings on or around the building?

Once you have recognised that your property has a pigeon problem action will need to be taken to prevent pigeons from roosting and nesting on/in the building. If no action is taken the problem may escalate and more cost will be involved. In majority of cases, if corrective action is taken, the property should be pigeon proofed indefinitely.

Read our fact sheet on recognising pigeon problems here

For further information on Pest Control please contact Council’s Environmental Health Officer on (08) 8862 0800 or admin@wrc.sa.gov.au