European House Borer found in Piney Lakes Reserve, Winthrop

In response to the find, the Department of Agriculture and Food has placed a Priority Management Zone (PMZ) around the reserve. PMZs are areas of about 100 metres radius from an EHB infestation where EHB control is carried out.

EHB is a serious pest of untreated softwood, including pine, fir and spruce, which usually infests untreated pine wood, including the dead parts of pine trees, structural pine timber and pine products.

The new find has also resulted in an expansion of the current Murdoch Restricted Movement Zone (RMZ) in a northerly direction towards Fremantle. RMZs are areas of approximately two kilometre radius from infestations where the movement of pinewood is restricted.

Department of Agriculture and Food EHB Response Director John van Schagen said the movement restrictions were essential to preventing further EHB spread, both within and outside of RMZ areas.

“The restrictions form part of the Agriculture and Related Resources Protection (European House Borer) Regulations 2006, which regulate the movement, treatment, disposal, destruction and storage of untreated pinewood within PMZ and RMZ areas,” he said.

“Most importantly, the regulations state that untreated pine must not be removed from PMZ and RMZ areas without appropriate treatment or proper authorisation.”

Mr van Schagen said the Department was working closely with the City of Melville to implement the best options to prevent further EHB infestations.

“It is important to note that this is the second EHB infestation to be found within the City of Melville, which means that some residents are already included in PMZ and RMZ areas.

“PMZ residents are always notified of any EHB infestations, however we are aware there needs to be greater education on RMZ boundaries and associated movement restrictions.”

City of Melville CEO Dr Shayne Silcox said the main responsibility of residents and businesses now was to increase their awareness of EHB and the movement restrictions, lookout for any signs and report any suspected finds to the EHB hotline.

“Rest assured, with increased awareness and responsible action, the problem will be controlled,” he said.

“We are advising people to be alert to this pest but to not become alarmed. A response plan has been actioned, and we are confident the pest can be contained.”

In suburbs where houses have been built with untreated pine roof timbers, increased EHB awareness will be critical to minimising the risk of spread and damage.

EHB can live for up to 10 years inside a piece of wood without any signs, and it is only when adult beetles emerge to mate and lay eggs that visible exit holes are created. By then the structural damage has already occurred.

To date, EHB has been found only in one home as the result of nearby infested trees. Although, the pest has been detected at 157 sites across 52 Perth Metropolitan suburbs.

Those suburbs now included in the extended Murdoch RMZ are: Alfred Cove, Ardross, Bateman, Booragoon, Brentwood, Bullcreek, Kardinya, Mount Pleasant, Murdoch, Myaree and Winthrop.

Signs of EHB to be on the lookout for include:

·         Adult beetles, which are brownish-black to black, measuring 1-2 cms, with a slight flattened appearance, often with distinctive white patches on the wings.

·         Characteristic oval-shaped holes, about 5-10mm in length, running with the grain on the surface of infested timber from which the adult beetle has emerged.

·         A soft, scraping sound made by larvae as they feed, which can often be heard at night and may be audible from some distance.

·         EHB larvae within timber. Larvae are a cream colour, and are elongated and cylindrical with an enlarged and flattened head.

·         Batches of up to 120 eggs, which are laid in crevices and cracks in timber.

Residents who are concerned they may have detected an infestation of EHB are strongly advised to contact the EHB hotline on 1800 084 881.

A detailed map of the Murdoch RMZ can be found on the EHB website. A full description of the RMZ road boundaries has also been detailed in a public notice, to be published this week in all community newspapers.

For further information on EHB and RMZ movement restrictions, visit the EHB website at www.ehb.wa.gov.au