By GEORGIA WESTGARTH
HAVING battled the war on wasps earlier this year Casey residents are being urged to disregard illegal DIY wasp bait recipes recently published online in the lead-up to summer.
The European wasp plague that struck Melbourne from January to March this year was reported to be the highest rate in 20 years.
The City of Casey and local pest controllers were inundated with calls for help over the summer and state-wide chemicals specialist, Steven Field is concerned for the wider environment after instructions to make illegal wasp baits were published.
The recipes outlined how to use veterinary chemicals to make the homemade baits.
“Anyone providing advice to another person outlining how to create and use these illegal baits may be providing false and misleading information,” Mr Field said.
“It’s dangerous for people to be providing instructions on how to create and use these illegal baits.”
Mr Field from the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources (DEDJTR) said the maximum penalty for an individual found with illegal wasp baits is $7500.
“We are urging people concerned about wasps not to put their health and that of their community at risk by making and using these baits.
“The instructions currently being circulated have not been assessed by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority and therefore pose an unacceptable risk to the person creating the bait and the public,” he said.
Casey residents have been urged to use products registered for their control or call a licensed contractor.
For more information on the rules regarding chemical use in Victoria contact the DEDJTR customer service centre on 136 186 or visit www.agriculture.vic.gov.au
