City of Prospect offers some assistance with certain methods regarding pest issues that residents experience, however it is residents’ responsibility to manage pest control on their properties.

Rats and Mice

As of 31 January 2024, we will no longer be supplying residents with rat bait.

Eastern Health Authority (EHA) have a Rodent Control Factsheet with tips on managing rodents that have become a problem.

If you can’t adequately control rats and vermin on your property, we recommend you contact a professional pest contractor.

Feral Pigeons

Residents who are experiencing issues with feral pigeons on private property can implement measures to reduce their impact including engaging a pest controller, removing food sources, pigeon proofing your building and removing any nests.

See SA Health for more information.

Snakes

Council is not responsible for the removal of snakes from private property.  For further information or assistance please contact a reputable snake removal service.

For further information regarding snakes, please head to the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources (DEWNR) website.

Possums

Council is unable to help with the removal or relocation of possums. The National Parks and Wildlife Act, 1972 protects all possums in South Australia from collecting, hunting, and other activities. A permit is required for anyone wanting to trap and relocate them.

If possums are causing problems at your property, try visiting the Department of Environment and Water’s website. There you will find information on how to manage possums, as well as a list of common questions and solutions to possum problems.

If you still have questions or your problem is not covered, please contact the Department for Environment and Water.

Rabbits

Bees

If you experience any problems with bee swarms on your premises, contact an apiarist as listed in the Yellow Pages directory.

Contact us if you have any concerns regarding the keeping of bees on neighbouring premises or the presence of bee swarms in street trees, parks or other Council areas used by the public.

European Wasps

Council will identify and destroy free of charge European wasps nests reported by members of the public.

Paper Wasps

Paper wasps are native to Australia and are common in Adelaide. They can be identified by the characteristic papery nests they construct. The nest consists of a single layer of exposed hexagonal cells which look like part of a honeycomb, attached by a small but strong stalk to the branch of a tree or shrub or under the eaves of a building. The nests usually grow to 10cm in diameter but will occasionally reach 15cm.

The wasps are slightly longer and thinner than honey bees. They have very narrow waists and can be dark or light brown, orange or gold with one or two narrow black bands on their bodies.

Paper wasps are a very beneficial insect to have in the garden as they capture many pest insects, including caterpillars, to provision their nest.

The wasps are unlikely to sting unless their nests are disturbed. When they are away from their nest the wasps are not aggressive. If the nest is left alone the wasps will not attack. A nest may only need to be destroyed if it is very close to where people walk or stand.

Council does not provide a service to residents for the destruction of Paper Wasp nests.

Mud Wasps

A number of native wasp species build mud nests which they often attach to walls, rafters and under eaves. A mud nest consists of cells each packed with paralyzed prey (usually caterpillars or spiders) together with a wasp egg. The hatching wasp maggot consumes the stored prey sealed in the nest. After changing into an adult wasp, it breaks out of the nest.

The wasps range in size from small to large, and are black and orange, or plain black. Mud wasps can safely be ignored, as none of them are aggressive towards people. If necessary, a nest can be simply scraped off.

If you would like more information on pest control, please call (08) 8269 5355 or email us at admin@prospect.sa.gov.au.