Winter has set in and the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development’s (DPIRD’s) European wasp seasonal campaign has drawn to a close on a firm footing for 2026-27.
Winter has set in and the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development’s (DPIRD’s) European wasp seasonal campaign has drawn to a close on a firm footing for 2026-27.
European wasps are considered one of the world’s worst social pests, posing a threat to agricultural crops and livestock, the environment, human and pet health, as well as Western Australia’s outdoor lifestyle and tourism.
DPIRD joined with the community and other government departments to undertake an extensive surveillance and nest removal across 1500 square kilometres, targeting Perth, Geraldton, Albany – extending up to Napier – as well as Bunbury and Woodridge.
Department officers also trekked through major transport channels and South West tourist locations to check surveillance traps and search for this potentially devastating pest.
The surveillance campaign resulted in a total of 73 European wasp nests being found and destroyed in 25 regional and metropolitan locations, across 14 local government areas.
Most were found in the City of Albany (37), supported by local reports from the public.
Other nests were discovered in the Cities of Canning (9), Cockburn (6), Gosnells (6), Swan (4), Belmont (2), Bayswater (2), Melville (1), Wanneroo (1), Bunbury (1) and Kalamunda (1), as well as the Town of Victoria Park (1) and shires of Mundaring (1) and Kondinin (1).
DPIRD European wasp project lead Kris Armstrong said community support was integral to the success of the program, alongside DPIRD’s efforts.
“Five nests were discovered by members of the public in Palmyra and Napier, demonstrating the important role the community plays in the biosecurity front line,” he said.
“We are particularly grateful to those stakeholders who maintained and inspected their own traps, like Adopt-a-trap subscribers and the local governments across the State.
“South West Regional TAFE’s Albany campus has done a great job monitoring and servicing 11 traps in bushland surrounding the site.
“By working together, we can reduce the risk of this pest becoming established in WA.”
DPIRD surveillance will recommence in October, with a large scale focus on the Albany and surrounding Napier area, in addition to Woodridge west of Gingin, Geraldton and Bunbury.
The department’s European wasp program has been working with local government and the community since 1977 to prevent the pest from becoming established in Western Australia, which has seen 1765 nests removed in that time.
A large surveillance network covers high risk areas in the regions, including Albany, Geraldton, Eucla and Bunbury, while more than 3000 traps are located across the Perth metropolitan area.
Residents, businesses and local governments can sign up to DPIRD’s Adopt-a-trap initiative to help monitor for European wasps during the active season, from December to May.
Mr Armstrong said with the ever present threat of European wasps being transported from the eastern states, it was important for the community to remain vigilant and report any unusual wasps to DPIRD.
“Every year hibernating European wasp queens can hitchhike their way to WA via freight transport, tourism and other means,” he said.
“Continued vigilance is essential to aid early detection and a biosecurity response and we greatly value the support of the community and local government.”
European wasps, which can easily be confused with yellow paper wasps, are similar in size and shape to the common honey bee, their body is bright lemon-yellow in colour, with black stripes and yellow legs and black antennae.
They are unique in that they feed on proteins and sweet foods and are attracted to meat, fish, dead insects, pet food and sugary drinks.
