Pests
Dutch elm disease (DED)
Dutch elm disease (Ophiostoma ulmi) is a destructive and fast spreading disease. It is spread by bark beetles (Scolytus multistriatus)
carrying fungal spores from tree to tree, but can also spread directly through root grafting between neighbouring trees. The fungus clogs
water-conducting tissues in infected trees. The tree responds by forming gum within its tissues, causing it to wilt and then die.
Read more >> about Dutch elm disease,
vegetation control zones, and how you can help to fight it.
Gum leaf skeletoniser
Gum leaf skeletoniser is a native Australian moth, first discovered in New Zealand in 1992 at Mount Maunganui, and is now widespread in the
greater
Auckland area.
It is a pest in both countries, mainly because of the damage it causes to gum (Eucalyptus) trees.
A number of Eucalyptus relatives (Myrtaceae) such as Queensland Box (Lophostemon),
Willow Myrtle (Agonis) and Pohutukawa (Metrosideros excelsa) can be host. It has
also been reported on a number of other exotics (Ash, Oak and Birch) where these
grow close to Gums or Queensland Box.
Gum leaf skeletoniser caterpillars damage gum trees as they feed on their leaves. The caterpillars also have poisonous hairs
which most often cause stinging and then a persistent itchy rash.
View photos and read more about the gum leaf skeletoniser on the
MAF Biosecurity website
Contact us if you have any concerns about this pest on public trees in the Auckland city area.
Plant pests
Plant pests (formerly known as noxious weeds) are subject to various
management strategies under Auckland Regional Council's Regional Animal and
Plant Pest Management Strategies. Depending on the classification of the plant
pest, its removal may be mandatory, as in Old Man's Beard, or the control of it
is managed by encouraging
land owners to remove or control it, as in Privet.
Auckland Regional Council (ARC) maintains an up-to-date register of all plant pests. To find out the
management strategies for specific plant pests visit www.arc.govt.nz.
Plant pests on private property
For information or advice on the removal or destruction of plant pests visit
www.arc.govt.nz.
Note: For the
majority of plant pests, ARC will encourage you to
take responsibility for removing plant pests from your own property.
Plant pests on public property
To request the removal of plant pests from public property please contact
us.
Privet
There are two species of privet, Chinese Privet and Tree Privet. Both are
invasive and are no longer able to be sold, propagated, distributed or
commercially displayed.
They have been declared a National Surveillance Plant Pest by the Auckland
Regional Council to prevent further spread by human activities. You are
encouraged to remove or control privet growing on your property, but its removal
is not mandatory. For more information refer to the Environment section in www.arc.govt.nz.
Animal pests
The Auckland Regional Council’s Regional Animal and Plant Pest Management
Strategies identify pests in the region and describe how they will be managed.
For more information on the management strategies for various pests, and the
special controls applied to the Hauraki Gulf Islands, refer to the Environment
section in www.arc.govt.nz.
Animal pests on private property
The Auckland Regional
Council (ARC) is responsible for the management of declared pests in the region
such as rabbits, wasps
and possums. However the eradication of pests on your property, including
declared pests, is your responsibility. For information or advice on getting rid
of declared animal pests refer to the Environment section in www.arc.govt.nz
or contact ARC's Enviroline, Ph: 0800-806-040.
Animal pests on public property
Auckland City will deal with animal pests on public property including,
parks, reserves and the roadside. Please contact
us to arrange for their removal.
Bees
Bees on private property
Although bees can be a nuisance, especially when they follow the Queen Bee
and swarm to a new nest, they are not classed as an animal pest. If you have a
problem with bees on your property it is your responsibility to arrange for
their removal. Refer to the phone book for 'Pest Control Services' in your area.
Bees
on public property
Auckland City will investigate bee problems on public property.
Note: If bees are swarming, Auckland City can only take action where a nest
has been formed.
Wasps
Wasps on private property
If there is a
problem with wasps on your property it is your responsibility to arrange for
their removal. Refer to the phone book for 'Pest Control Services' in your area.
For advice on the removal or extermination of wasps visit www.arc.govt.nz
or contact Auckland Regional Council's Enviroline, Ph: 0800-806-040.
Wasps
on public property
Auckland City will action requests to remove wasps where a nest has been
formed on public property.
Rats/mice
Rats or mice on private property
If you have a problem with rats or mice on your property, including rats in
privately piped stormwater drains, it is your responsibility to arrange for
their eradication. Auckland City will
investigate the cause of the rat problem but we will not be actively involved in
eradication. Your local hardware store will be able to advise you on the
appropriate poisons to use.
If the rats are originating from a neighbour's property as a result of
- accumulated rubbish
- an overgrown section
- poor food storage at a food premise
Auckland City will
investigate the cause of the rat problem but will not be involved in their
eradication.
Rats or
mice on public property
Auckland City will deal with rats or mice on public property.
Mosquitos
Problems with mosquitos on private property are the responsibility of the
property owner. If you have a mosquito problem you need to determine where they
are breeding and remove the cause of the problem eg: blocked drain, as well as
dealing with the mosquitos themselves.
If you are reporting mosquitos on public land, or you think that a mosquito
may be an exotic or dangerous variety, please contact
us.
The Auckland District Health Board have been examining the Southern
Saltmarsh Mosquito. For more information on this exotic species visit www.moh.govt.nz.
Fruit
Fly
For information or reports of fruit fly contact:
Ministry of Agriculture Ph: 626-6026 during business hours.
Sea squirt
The invasive sea squirt, the clubbed tunicate (Styela clava) has been found
in a number of locations around New Zealand. The clubbed tunicate poses
potential threats to New Zealand's aquaculture industry and biodiversity by
competing for space and food, and can blanket oyster and mussel lines,
suffocating shellfish.
The clubbed turnicate is usually found in protected areas such as bays and
harbours and prefers to settle on hard surfaces, particularly man-made
structures. Clubbed turnicates are usually club-shaped with a tough, leathery
skin that varies from brownish-white, yellow-brown or reddish-brown. Adults grow
to 16cm long.
If you think you have seen this sea squirt, note the location and report your
find to the Biosecurity hotline: 0800 80 99 66.
For more information about the sea squirt, including photos, look at the
Biosecurity New Zealand website.
Enquiries
For complaints or service requests relating to pest control please contact
us.
