Gardeners are being urged to stop spraying pests, because most pesticides also kill beneficial insects that feed on them. Gardener Mel Logozzo, who has spent eight years turning her paved backyard into a food and native flower garden, has written about nine kinds of helpful bugs. They include ladybirds, lacewings, parasitic wasps, assassin bugs, mantids and hoverflies. The guide also explains how to tell helpful bugs from pests, and how to encourage them with flowers, mulch and leaf litter. Pests such as aphids breed quickly, so a few pests can attract predators that keep numbers in balance.
Colac residents have again raised concerns about a growing carp population in Lake Colac and Barongarook Creek. An authority has revealed plans to reduce the number of carp in the waterways.
Landholders and specialists will meet at Koonwarra Hall on Saturday, November 21, to discuss deer damage to farms and native vegetation. The South Gippsland Landcare Network is hosting its first Deer Control Expo, running from 10am to 3pm. Speakers include Parks Victoria representatives discussing deer and fox impacts at Wilsons Promontory. The event follows a $500,000 state government commitment for deer control at the Prom. Lunch is included, and tickets are available through Humanitix.
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Snakes are drawn to gardens that offer food, shelter and warmth, according to South Gippsland snake catcher Jake Condotta. Messy garden beds, compost heaps and long grass attract the rodents, frogs and lizards snakes eat. Bird seed, pet food, ponds and piles of timber can also draw them in. Condotta says people should keep their distance from snakes and never try to catch or kill them. If someone is bitten, they should call 000 immediately.
Cropping farmers in north-west Victoria say a fast-growing locust population is becoming a serious worry. Insects hatched in large numbers across the Mallee from mid-September after warm, wet weather further north. Meringur farmer Jack Lambert says he has seen bands of thousands moving across his land and nearby national parks, and fears a repeat of the plague of 10 to 15 years ago. Agriculture Victoria runs a surveillance program, but its chief plant health officer, Stephen Dibley, says landholders are responsible for treatment. He said numbers were not at plague levels but were the highest in 15 years.
Red imported fire ants have re-infested some organic farms in Queensland that have gone 14 months without treatment. Treatment was suspended in August last year on some export-certified properties in the south-east suppression zone after genetically modified ingredients were found in baits. The National Fire Ant Eradication Program says parts of a 1,110-hectare zone spanning the Lockyer Valley, Scenic Rim and Somerset have been re-infested, though the extent is not yet known. A permit has been granted for an organic treatment using cinnamaldehyde, with the first shipment awaiting customs clearance at Brisbane port.
Carlo Di Falco, Member for Lyons, has welcomed the Tasmanian Government's decision to bring forward its review of the Wild Fallow Deer Management Plan. He is calling for a practical approach to manage Tasmania's growing deer population.
Mosquito numbers are already unusually high across the Surf Coast, and an expert expects them to keep rising. The Surf Coast Shire has brought forward its annual treatment program, with monitoring and treatment of breeding sites starting on Monday. The City of Greater Geelong has also begun its seasonal program, using drones and ground crews. University of Melbourne researcher Perran Ross says numbers usually peak in January and February, after a wet spring. Residents are urged to remove stagnant water and use fly screens and repellent.
Introduced animals are not intrinsically harmful, according to an analysis of how Australians judge them. Species such as rabbits, cats, camels and cattle were deliberately brought to the continent and initially valued for their uses. They are now labelled pests once they become too successful. It suggests that responses could focus on practical action rather than moral judgement, pointing to methods used by First Nations groups to manage camels and cats.
Qantas has cancelled a Rome to Perth service and is investigating after passengers reported itchy bites on a flight from Perth to Rome. The plane was grounded in Rome, and passengers were given accommodation and rebooked on other flights within two days. Qantas said engineers carried out a deep clean after an issue was found on a small number of economy seats. Bed bug expert Stephen Doggett said such incidents are not common but do occur, and that the insects are hard to remove from aircraft.
Mackay Regional Council has postponed a planned aerial baiting program targeting feral pigs in Eungella National Park and Cathu State Forest because of forecast adverse weather. The council is running the program with local landholders, and the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service is providing funding support. Landholders asked for control measures after increased pig activity following several wet seasons. Aerial baiting forms part of a wider program that also uses trapping and shooting. Before the rescheduled program goes ahead, the council plans to hold a public information session at Eungella with the Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation.
Three small businesses across the New England and North Coast are being highlighted for Small Business Month. Sam Moffitt runs Sam the Computer Man in Wauchope, offering tech support, repairs and 3D-printed custom items with a focus on accessibility. In Bingara, Kim and Glen operate Rebel Cleaning & Pest Control, a family business built on personal service and more than 20 years of industry experience. In Guyra, the Australian Poetry Hall of Fame, housed in the historic Arcadia Theatre, hosts poetry, performance, workshops and a plant-based cafe, founded by James Arthur Warren.
Three small businesses in northern New South Wales are highlighted for Small Business Month. In Guyra, the Australian Poetry Hall of Fame has operated since 2020 in the historic Arcadia Theatre, hosting exhibitions, workshops and live performances. In Bingara, family-owned Rebel Cleaning & Pest Control offers cleaning and pest control services built on personal relationships. In Tenterfield, Judith Watts teaches piano to students aged four and over from her studio at Andante Place Piano Studio.
South Australian farmers fear a growing locust infestation could devastate what looks set to be the Riverland's best season in decades. Vast swarms have begun appearing and could soon move into crops and grazing land. Farmer Steve Nitschke said he had not seen conditions this bad since 2010 and warned that locusts could contaminate grain. Growers want stronger help from the state government, and some say aerial spraying is needed in national parks and reserves. The government says a chemical rebate scheme offers up to $35 a hectare to help with pest control costs.
Black citrus aphids are feeding on soft new growth of lemon and other citrus trees in spring and summer. The pests can be identified by curled leaves, sticky honeydew, and black sooty mould. Horticulturist Liam Kemp recommends treating infestations early with organic sprays or natural predators like ladybirds and lacewings. Prevention includes checking new plants, using balanced fertiliser, and strategic pruning.
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Garry Livingstone offers advanced pest control services to farmers in the Central West, using thermal imaging technology to detect and manage invasive species. His methods, including drones and night operations, help protect livestock and crops from predators like foxes, pigs, and rabbits. Clients report significant improvements, such as an 18% increase in lambing rates after regular fox control. Livingstone's insured and licensed services provide cost-effective solutions for landholders facing pest challenges. For tailored pest management programs, contact Garry Livingstone Vertebrate Pest Management.
Nillumbik Shire Council has halted rabbit control operations at Fergusons Paddock following community concerns. The Victorian Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action is investigating the August works. Council apologised for distress caused to wildlife carers and volunteers. Wombat activity has been detected, though some affected animals remain unseen. Council is collaborating with wildlife groups to strengthen protection measures and will adopt DEECA's recommendations.
