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Pest Management Control

Lithgow Council receives numerous complaints and enquiries concerning a wide range of pests that share our environment. This web page provides fact sheets and provides general information on Council’s role in relation to pest control. In addition, sets out circumstances when Council will investigate complaints concerning pests and when appropriate treatment measures will be implemented.

Pigeons

Council does not offer pest control services in relation to pigeon control and does not conduct any activities involving culling of nesting or roosting pigeons on private land. Owners of property impacted by nesting or roosting pigeons are advised to seek the services of a commercial pest controller for specific advice on control and eradication measures.

Feral pigeons have easily adapted to the urban environment, and take up residence almost anywhere, particularly where there is food and shelter. Pigeons are capable of breeding throughout the year and do not migrate far from their birthplace; this makes them difficult to remove. Feral pigeons are a common pest and tend to pose more of a nuisance for residents rather than a risk to health.

Problems associated with feral pigeons may include

  • Attraction of bird mites;
  • Odour and noise;
  • Damage to buildings and monuments due to the highly corrosive nature of pigeon droppings;
  • Damage to air-conditioning units and other roof top machinery;
  • Hygiene concerns due to an accumulation of pigeon faeces.

 

Controlling feral pigeons

If you have a pigeon problem, there are many techniques that can be used to reduce or remove the population. Implementing non-lethal control techniques will provide the most effective long term results. The best way to minimise or prevent the nuisance caused by feral pigeons is to control where they roost, nest and feed.

Removing Food Sources

The number of pigeons in an area is determined by the availability of a sustainable food source. The most effective way of discouraging feral pigeons from infesting houses and public areas is to remove any potential food source (for example pet food and water).

 NOTE: NEVER FEED FERAL PIGEONS

European Wasps & Bee Control

European Wasps are aggressive and will sting if threatened. Its important people are informed about the best management of these pests. Residents are encouraged to contact a professional pest controller to safely manage wasps on your property.

Please see the attached Department of Primary Industries European Wasp Fact Sheet for further information.

Bee swarms are part of the natural reproductive cycle of the introduced honeybee. The swarming season is usually between September and December as the warmer weather can stimulate colonies to increase in population. Swarming bees are generally inclined not to sting provided they are left alone.

However, the introduced honeybee has established as a feral species across NSW, with hives usually centred on tree hollows, independently of managed hives that are maintained by beekeepers. Feral honeybees impact on indigenous species via competition for tree hollows, and via competition for floral resources. Competition from feral honeybees has therefore been listed as a ‘key threatening process’ in NSW under the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995.

For Further information please see the attached Department of Primary Industries Bee Fact Sheets.

Rats and mice

Council will only implement vermin treatments where an infestation is on public land under the control of Council. Any infestation involving private land will be the responsibility of the landowner to control and as such the services of a commercial pest controller should be sought.

Council can serve Orders under the Local Government Act 1993 on the owner or occupier of any land which is in an unsafe or unhealthy condition. This can include where conditions exist that may attract vermin such as through an accumulation of garbage or in respect to land where vermin are nesting.

In addition, officers conduct routine inspections of food businesses to ensure compliance with the Food safety Regulations which includes a requirement for proprietors to implement all practicable measures to prevent pests entering the premises and to eradicate and prevent pest harbourage.

Feral pigeon control fact sheet

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Bee keeping code of practice

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