Pests and pest control
Find useful information about pests which may be living in or around your home - including foxes and possums.
Foxes in Boroondara
Did you know there are as many as 14 foxes per square kilometre living in parts of Boroondara? Our river and creek environments, hollow logs, rock piles and even under houses, sheds, or large blackberry or weed patches make ideal habitats for foxes.
But, in an urban environment, traditional methods of fox control such as shooting, poisoning and trapping are not appropriate. It's better to make your property less attractive to foxes, than try to remove or destroy the animals. If a fox is removed from its territory, another fox will replace it. Here are some hints:
- Don't feed native animals or birds.
- If you spot a den, contact Local Laws for advice - contact details below.
- Make sure chickens, ducks, rabbits and guinea pigs are secured in a roofed enclosure at night.
- Clear away food scraps, pet food and excess fruit falling from fruit trees.
- Use a compost bin, or cover compost heaps.
- Never feed foxes, or try to make them pets.
- Alert your neighbours if you see a fox.
- Control blackberries and other weed thickets.
Don't attempt to shoot or poison foxes. In addition, steel-jawed, leg-hold and neck-snare traps are prohibited under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986.
For more information 9278 4444.
Trapping possums
You may trap possums in order to remove them from your roof. Because they are a native animal, they cannot be relocated to another site. Instead, you must release them on the same property within 50 metres of the capture site. If you need help, you are advised to use the services of a licensed possum controller.
Council keeps a list of licenced pest controllers and possum trap hirers - phone 9278 4444. Alternatively refer to the Yellow Pages (under Pest Control) or call the Department of Sustainability and Environment's (DSE) customer service centre on 13 61 86 for a referral to a licensed possum controller.
Pest advice and control
Some pests may be a safety and health hazard for you and your neighbours. General information can be found from several external sources regarding mice and rats, greyhead bats (flying fox), spiders (including white tailed spiders), mosquitoes, European wasps, magpies and fleas. We provide the advice below to enable you to control pests in your home, but Council does not provide or recommend specific pest control services.
Better Health Channel
The Better Health Channel is a Victorian Government initiative. Its role is to provide the community with access to online health-related information.
Department of Primary Industries
Find information sheets on pest animals including cockatoos, foxes and mice here.
Australian Magpie
Learn more about the behaviour of the magpie, especially when it swoops during mating season.
Museum Victoria
Search the Museum Victoria website for further information on banjo frogs, greyhead bats and European wasps.
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