The City of Cockburn is calling on residents to play a key role in eliminating European Wasps from Western Australia (WA) by adopting a trap in their garden to catch the invaders.
The ‘adopt-a-trap’ initiative aims to lessen the impact of European Wasps on human health, agriculture and the environment.
City of Cockburn Mayor Logan Howlett said the scheme provides surveillance traps with an appropriate lure to catch the European Wasp.
“If wasps are caught in a trap, the wasp or a photograph of it can be send to the WA Department of Agriculture and Food (DAFWA) or the City for verification,” said Mayor Howlett.
“If the wasp is confirmed to be the declared pest then DAFWA will search for the nest and destroy it at no charge,” said Mayor Howlett.
The ‘adopt-a-trap’ initiative was recently introduced by the European Wasp Working Group, which was set up to assist the DAFWA with their European Wasp Program.
Residents who suspect they have seen European Wasps can contact DAFWA on freecall 1800 084 881, or email images of the suspected wasps to info@agric.wa.gov.au. More information on European Wasps can be found on the DAFWA website at www.agric.wa.gov.au
Residents can also call the City of Cockburn Health Services for assistance with general information or on how to be involved in the ‘adopt-a-trap’ initiative.
