Polyphagous Shot-Hole Borer (PSHB)

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Latest Update: The City of Armadale is now part of the Quarantine Area

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) has updated their Quarantine Area and this now includes the City of Armadale (shown as part of Zone B in light blue).

Residents in Zone B (including City of Armadale residents):

  • cannot move untreated or unseasoned wood outside the Quarantine Area, unless chipped to pieces that are 2.5 cm or less in diameter,
  • cannot move plant materials, including living plants, that are greater than 2cm in diameter outside the Quarantine Area,
  • can move wood or plant materials, including living plants, into Zone A,
  • must ensure any machinery used to handle green waste is cleaned before it can be moved outside the Quarantine Area.

The above restrictions do not apply to grass and lawn clippings as these materials do not host the beetle.

Anyone that cannot meet any of the above requirements must contact DPIRD for a permit before moving restricted materials.

Visit DPIRD's official webpage to see the interactive map, latest information on the State's response including FAQ, and more.

What is the Polyphagous Shot-Hole Borer (PSHB)?

Polyphagous shot-hole borer (PSHB) is a beetle native to Southeast Asia that is invasive to WA. The beetle attacks a wide range of plants by tunnelling into trunks, stems and branches and introducing a fungus. In susceptible trees, the fungus kills vascular tissue eventually causing dieback and tree death.

DPIRD is monitoring confirmed detections of the Polyphagous Shot-Hole Borer (PSHB) in the Perth metropolitan area as part of a coordinated biosecurity response.

Is the Polyphagous Shot-Hole Borer (PSHB) present in the City of Armadale?

Yes, DPIRD has confirmed the presence of PSHB within the City and is now part of the Quarantine Area. We are asking all residents to maintain vigilance and report anything unusual to the Department via MyPestGuide.

What does this mean for the City of Armadale?

The City is taking advice from DPIRD and the Department of Biodiversity and Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) to manage this situation and take measures to prevent PSHB from spreading further. We are actively participating in technical forums run by DPIRD and the WA Local Government Association (WALGA), and reviewing our environmental practices and strategies to improve our resilience to PSHB and other pests.

This includes adopting a range of cleaning and quarantine protocols:

  • Using a mixture of methylated spirits to regularly disinfect landscaping plant and equipment.
  • Blowdown of off-road vehicles and mowing equipment after use and before changing service locations.
  • Using quarantine procedures to store city equipment and manage declared areas.
  • Following strict guidelines for access, cleaning and disinfection of known infected areas.
  • Covering vegetation when transporting between sites.
  • Scheduling deep cleaning of plant and equipment on a routine basis.
  • Educating our landscaping contractors and volunteer groups about the borer and these protocols.

What can I do? What does this mean for me?

We are encouraging all residents and businesses to become familiar with PSHB and understand how to minimise contamination and risks of spreading the beetle. This includes:

What do I look for?

Female PSHB are approximately 2mm in length and range from brown to black in colour. Only females have the ability to fly and disperse to other trees. Males are smaller at approximately 1.6mm in length and have no wings.

Mature larvae are approximately 3.5mm long and 1.1mm wide. They are white, ‘C’ shaped and legless with a reddish head.

Detection of PSHB is difficult as they are very small – about the size of a sesame seed. However, there are a number of symptoms that indicate a tree may be infested.

What do I do if I see possible signs of PSHB?

If you notice any of the above symptoms or anything unusual on a tree in your neighbourhood, take a photo and report them to DPIRD as soon as possible using the MyPestGuide or the DPIRD Pest and Disease Information Service on phone (08) 9368 3080 or email padis@dpird.wa.gov.au

What else can I do to minimise the spread?

  • Firewood - buy it where you burn it. PSHB does not move far on its own but can travel long distances when people move firewood.
  • Don't burn wood from host trees, especially if it looks like it has borer damage. PSHB beetles disperse when infested wood is burnt.
  • Monitor susceptible species including street trees for signs of PSHB damage and report suspect infestation to DPIRD.
  • Speak to your friends and neighbours to create awareness.
  • Provide additional water during summer as PSHB targets stressed trees.
  • Disinfect pruning tools. Any tools (including chainsaws and woodchippers) that come into contact with infected wood should be sanitised before using on uninfected trees.
  • Avoid moving prunings or wood products.

Latest Update: The City of Armadale is now part of the Quarantine Area

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) has updated their Quarantine Area and this now includes the City of Armadale (shown as part of Zone B in light blue).

Residents in Zone B (including City of Armadale residents):

  • cannot move untreated or unseasoned wood outside the Quarantine Area, unless chipped to pieces that are 2.5 cm or less in diameter,
  • cannot move plant materials, including living plants, that are greater than 2cm in diameter outside the Quarantine Area,
  • can move wood or plant materials, including living plants, into Zone A,
  • must ensure any machinery used to handle green waste is cleaned before it can be moved outside the Quarantine Area.

The above restrictions do not apply to grass and lawn clippings as these materials do not host the beetle.

Anyone that cannot meet any of the above requirements must contact DPIRD for a permit before moving restricted materials.

Visit DPIRD's official webpage to see the interactive map, latest information on the State's response including FAQ, and more.

What is the Polyphagous Shot-Hole Borer (PSHB)?

Polyphagous shot-hole borer (PSHB) is a beetle native to Southeast Asia that is invasive to WA. The beetle attacks a wide range of plants by tunnelling into trunks, stems and branches and introducing a fungus. In susceptible trees, the fungus kills vascular tissue eventually causing dieback and tree death.

DPIRD is monitoring confirmed detections of the Polyphagous Shot-Hole Borer (PSHB) in the Perth metropolitan area as part of a coordinated biosecurity response.

Is the Polyphagous Shot-Hole Borer (PSHB) present in the City of Armadale?

Yes, DPIRD has confirmed the presence of PSHB within the City and is now part of the Quarantine Area. We are asking all residents to maintain vigilance and report anything unusual to the Department via MyPestGuide.

What does this mean for the City of Armadale?

The City is taking advice from DPIRD and the Department of Biodiversity and Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) to manage this situation and take measures to prevent PSHB from spreading further. We are actively participating in technical forums run by DPIRD and the WA Local Government Association (WALGA), and reviewing our environmental practices and strategies to improve our resilience to PSHB and other pests.

This includes adopting a range of cleaning and quarantine protocols:

  • Using a mixture of methylated spirits to regularly disinfect landscaping plant and equipment.
  • Blowdown of off-road vehicles and mowing equipment after use and before changing service locations.
  • Using quarantine procedures to store city equipment and manage declared areas.
  • Following strict guidelines for access, cleaning and disinfection of known infected areas.
  • Covering vegetation when transporting between sites.
  • Scheduling deep cleaning of plant and equipment on a routine basis.
  • Educating our landscaping contractors and volunteer groups about the borer and these protocols.

What can I do? What does this mean for me?

We are encouraging all residents and businesses to become familiar with PSHB and understand how to minimise contamination and risks of spreading the beetle. This includes:

What do I look for?

Female PSHB are approximately 2mm in length and range from brown to black in colour. Only females have the ability to fly and disperse to other trees. Males are smaller at approximately 1.6mm in length and have no wings.

Mature larvae are approximately 3.5mm long and 1.1mm wide. They are white, ‘C’ shaped and legless with a reddish head.

Detection of PSHB is difficult as they are very small – about the size of a sesame seed. However, there are a number of symptoms that indicate a tree may be infested.

What do I do if I see possible signs of PSHB?

If you notice any of the above symptoms or anything unusual on a tree in your neighbourhood, take a photo and report them to DPIRD as soon as possible using the MyPestGuide or the DPIRD Pest and Disease Information Service on phone (08) 9368 3080 or email padis@dpird.wa.gov.au

What else can I do to minimise the spread?

  • Firewood - buy it where you burn it. PSHB does not move far on its own but can travel long distances when people move firewood.
  • Don't burn wood from host trees, especially if it looks like it has borer damage. PSHB beetles disperse when infested wood is burnt.
  • Monitor susceptible species including street trees for signs of PSHB damage and report suspect infestation to DPIRD.
  • Speak to your friends and neighbours to create awareness.
  • Provide additional water during summer as PSHB targets stressed trees.
  • Disinfect pruning tools. Any tools (including chainsaws and woodchippers) that come into contact with infected wood should be sanitised before using on uninfected trees.
  • Avoid moving prunings or wood products.
Page last updated: 20 Nov 2024, 11:32 AM