The Department of Agriculture and Food and Challenger Institute of Technology have designed an online course for pest controllers to enhance their knowledge about European House Borer (EHB).
The course, which is available in early July, is set to inform pest controllers about signs of EHB infestation, how to recognise and control EHB to prevent damage and future spread.
EHB is a destructive pest of seasoned timber including pine, fir and spruce. It has so far been discovered on 183 sites in Western Australia since 2004.
EHB mostly lives in dead pine trees and dead parts of live pine trees, but can infest pine furniture and untreated pine timber. It has the potential to impact structured timber in roofs.
Department Agricultural Resource Risk Management Director John Ruprecht said the course would educate pest controllers to help protect residents from potential EHB infestation.
“The current containment program by the department is keeping EHB risks low, but it is important to remain vigilant against this pest,” Mr Ruprecht said.
“By enrolling in this course, pest controllers will receive a broader understanding of EHB and the infestation signs to look out for.
“This course will help broaden their pest knowledge and safeguard Western Australian residents.”
Challenger Institute of Technology course coordinator Alan Morrison said the course was designed to meet the needs of technicians in the pest management industry.
“Pest controllers who already have qualifications in timber pest management, will acquire enhanced skills and knowledge in the detection of, and response to, this particular wood borer,” Mr Morrison said.
“The course is also designed to allow pest management technicians in other states of Australia, and anyone who may have a particular interest in EHB, to be able to use the course as an educational or information tool to enhance awareness of the potential problem of EHB outside WA and in our community.
“This is a resource I strongly encourage all pest management technicians to benefit from.”
There have been two structural infestations in houses affected by EHB since 2004.
The online three-hour course will cost $50. Pest controllers are asked to register via challenger.wa.edu.au [1]or contact alan.morrison@challenger.wa.edu.au [2]
Media contacts: Jodie Thomson, media liaison +61 (0)8 9368 3937
