Pests

Animal pests, both vertebrates (backbone) and invertebrates (no backbone), can have an adverse impact on agriculture, the natural environment and even our lifestyle. Animal pests may be exotic animals which are introduced, either accidentally or deliberately. Native animals may also be pests in certain situations.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development manages pests in Western Australia through policy development, risk assessment, research and development, provision of technical advice and information, implementation of regulation, emergency response, property inspections, industry liaison, and the planning and coordination of significant species control/eradication programs.

For advice on pests search our website, the Western Australian Organism List or contact our Pest and Disease Information Service (PaDIS).

For diagnostic services, please contact our Diagnostic Laboratory Services.

Articles

Identification and control of pest slugs and snails for broadacre crops in Western Australia

6 February 2014

Numbers of slugs and snails have increased in broadacre cropping in Western Australia with the use of minimum tillage and stubble-retention practices.
Time snail baiting to coincide with maximum snail movement and before snails lay eggs

24 August 2020

Snail monitoring using time-lapse cameras show snails move on nights when relative humidity (RH) is above 70% though are most active when RH is above 80%.
Will anything repel conical snails?

30 March 2020

No treatment in this trial effectively repelled small conical snails.

No treatment caused significant mortality of conical snails over 21 days when compared to the nil treatment.
Control of green bridge for pest and disease management

19 December 2013

In Western Australia's Mediterranean-type climate, the survival of pests and diseases over summer is often critical in determining pest outbreaks and disease epidemics in broadacre crops.
Pest and Disease Information Service (PaDIS)

15 October 2013

The Pest and Disease Information Service (PaDIS) provides advisory and identification services on animal and plant pests, weeds and diseases that impact Western Australia's agriculture and food ind
Stored grain insect resistance monitoring and management

26 September 2013

The Western Australian grain storage industry is focused on sealed storage and fumigation to achieve the federally mandated ‘nil tolerance’ for live insects in exports.
Diagnosing mouse damage in crops

4 December 2013

Mice are seasonal pests that can affect any crop. Usually they favour paddocks with high stubble retention.
Russian wheat aphid: production pest

7 October 2013

Russian wheat aphid (Diuraphis noxia), is a pest of barley and wheat crops.
Management of aphids in Western Australian lupin crops

13 December 2012

The extent of damage varies between seasons, but losses can be severe in years that favour aphid population development.
Management and economic thresholds for native budworm

12 February 2014

Native budworm (Helicoverpa punctigera) is a major pest of pulse and canola crops in the south west of Western Australia.