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Public urged to help stop spread of timber pest

22 September 2009

The Department of Agriculture and Food has urged residents to help stop the spread of the destructive timber pest European House Borer (EHB) as it begins its flight season.

EHB response director John van Schagen said the flight season was generally between September and April, when the adult beetle emerged from its food source of untreated pine wood to mate and lay eggs.

“Flight season is a prime time for the public to be alert for any signs of EHB, including unusual scraping sounds, beetles or exit holes,” Mr van Schagen said.

“The spread of EHB to new areas can be avoided by reducing the food source, including pine off-cuts, wooden pine furniture and pine tree prunings, available to adult beetles in infested areas.

“This can be achieved by storing away any untreated pine, correctly disposing of waste pine and by not moving pine wood in or out of Restricted Movement Zones which surround infested areas.”

Restricted Movement Zones cover all properties within a two kilometre radius of an infested site.  No pine wood should be moved unless properly treated or authorised by an EHB Regulatory officer.

Mr van Schagen said raising public awareness of the movement restrictions was important to prevent the pest spreading further.

“In Western Australia, there have been 152 confirmed findings of EHB in 52 Perth metropolitan and outer hills suburbs and one finding in Albany,” he said.

“With the help of the community we hope to gradually reduce infestation incidents and eventually eradicate this destructive pest.”

EHB infests untreated pine wood, including the dead parts of pine trees, structural timber and pine products. The pest does not affect hardwood such as jarrah, karri or wandoo.

A summary of restrictions relating to the movement of pine wood can be found in the Pine Movement Regulations brochure available on www.ehb.wa.gov.au or by contacting 9366 2300.

Any suspected detections should be reported immediately on the freecall hotline 1800 084 881.

Picture caption: Emergence of the European House Borer (EHB) adult beetle signals the beginning of flight season and a reminder from the Department of Agriculture and Food to carefully manage untreated pinewood.

Media contacts:

Jodie Thomson/Lisa Bertram, media liaison                          9368 3937/9368 3325