Wasp plague stings

By Tania Martin
THE Mount Evelyn Environment Protection and Progress Association has called for the Yarra Ranges Council to introduce a preferred pest controller system to combat a growing wasp plague.
At its meeting on 15 March the association agreed a system needed to be brought in to reduce the cost of getting rid of the pests.
Association president Franc Smith said it was vital to help pensioners pay to eradicate the growing wasp problem.
He said the preferred pest controller would be referred by council staff to elderly people or those on health care cards to have their wasp nests treated.
Mr Smith said there was growing evidence that suggested the wasps were having a severe effect on wildlife, especially birdlife and lizards.
“The preferred controller would be expected to treat nests at about 50 per cent of the current going rate due to the exponential increase in referrals,” he said.
But the council is reluctant to bring in such a system.
Mr Smith said the cost for treatment varied from $99 to $189 per nest, which was out of reach for many pensioners or health care cardholders.
He said at present only 7 to 9 per cent of nests were treated each year and the problem was growing steadily.
MEEPPA secretary Kerry Johnson knows just how important this program is.
The Mount Evelyn mother has her own wasp problem, in her backyard.
The nest has developed below the ground where an old compost heap used to live.
“I was really surprised … it’s massive,” Ms Johnson said.
She said the biggest concern for people trying to figure out what to do with a nest was the conflicting information available.
“One person told me to brick it up but you miss strays that way and they can get away and start a new nest,” Ms Johnson aid.
“It’s better to treat them but $195 per spray is too steep for most people … if you buy the product yourself and poison them it’s better.”
Mr Smith said Australia’s mild winters had seen an increase in the number of wasps and nests in the region.
Ms Johnson said the wasp problem was out of control.
“They are having a field day of it all around the district … you can’t even have a barbecue outside any more,” she said.
The wasp population had “exploded”.
Mr Smith said there was a time the council subsidised the cost and had an arrangement with Lilydale Pest Control.
He agreed that a preferred pest controller system could be judged as anti-competitive but said the referrals could be shared if pest controllers opted into the system.
Shire spokesman James Martin said the council could not be seen to favour any one pest controller.
“It’s problematic, it’s best for people to contact DSE for information on how to treat the problem,” he said.
Mr Martin said the council commended MEEPPA for its role in community awareness over the issue.
Billanook Ward councillor Tim Heenan said he had spoken to the council’s customer service section to see if there had been an increase in the wasps.
He was told it has been five years since there had been a huge influx.
“I am not trying to fob people off but we need to look into it further,” Cr Heenan said.
“I will talk to the council about getting something to rebate the high costs for older people to get rid of the problem.”