Pests

Feral Animals

Bumble Bees sightings on King Island have been reported April 2020. The community is asked to watch out for and report any bumble bee activity.

European Wasps have been baited on King Island in the past with success. Nests finish in autumn with new queens going off to hibernate over winter. They will then form new nests in Spring.

The community is asked to watch out for and report any wasp activity including hibernating queens in wood piles, freight, and warm spots.

European Wasp (Vespula germanica) 
Eur wasp

Not to be confused with the Native flower wasp (Thynnus zonatus)
faf flowerwasp jpg

Wasp nests should be treated with extreme caution as disturbance may provoke wasps to attack and multiple stings can be life threatening. Let someone know where you are and what you are doing if you are attempting to control European wasps. Registered pest controllers are recommended to locate and destroy wasp nests.

For further Information on European Wasps, visit the DPIWE website

Feral Cats

Compulsory microchipping and desexing of cats

From 1 March 2022, legislation in Tasmania requires all cats over the age of four months must be microchipped and desexed.

Keeping a maximum of four cats

From 1 March 2022​, a person must not keep more than four cats over the age of four months on an individual property.

For further information https://www.tassiecat.com/legislation

There is a brochure for download.

Many programs in the past have involved education about responsible cat ownership, desexing assistance, feral cat trapping and monitoring.

King Island Landcare has also done considerable work on management of feral cats on the island:

King Island Cat Management Plan 2008 – 2013

King Island Cat Control Program 2010

 

Last Updated on 14 March 2022