Pest control in Tasmania

European, English and exotic paper wasps

The European wasp was first found in a Hobart suburb in 1959 and has since spread to all parts of the state. The English wasp is a newer arrival, believed to have come around 1995, and is less widespread.

Colonies reach full size towards the end of summer, which is why NRE Tasmania says wasps are most troublesome in autumn. For European or English wasp removal, it says to contact a registered pest controller.

Exotic paper wasps are the ones to report. NRE Tasmania has recorded them at Sorell, Launceston, East Devonport, near Devonport, and Latrobe. Its Biosecurity Enquiries team can help.

Who's licensed in Tasmania?

A business that provides a commercial spraying service, including insect and rodent control in and around homes and buildings, must hold a Commercial Operator Licence. The people doing the work hold a Certificate of Competency, which has a Pest Management Technician category for pest control in and around buildings, and a Methyl Bromide or Phosphine User category for fumigation.

Under s 21 of the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Control of Use) Act 1995, a person must not offer such a service for fee or reward unless they hold a commercial operator licence.

Termites: a building note, not an exemption

An explanatory note in the National Construction Code says termites aren't considered a risk in Tasmania. It's a note about building rules rather than a promise about your house, so damaged timber is still worth a look, but a termite inspection isn't the first job we'd suggest here.

Possums: protected, and proofing works better

Brushtail possums are protected in Tasmania and can't be bought, sold, taken or kept without a permit. A Special Purposes Wildlife Permit to trap one can be issued as a last resort, with strict conditions on the trap and on what happens to the animal.

NRE Tasmania says moving a possum elsewhere doesn't generally work, because competition for food and shelter usually means it dies. Its advice is to find where the possum gets in and out, then make temporary repairs so it can't get back in. Burnie's council says possums often move into roofs, sheds or backyards, and suggests closing roof entry points once they've gone out at night and offering a nest box instead.

Rats, mice and renting

The City of Hobart runs rat baiting on public land but does no pest control on private land or inside homes, and says to contact a pest controller for rats, mice, wasps or bees there. The City of Launceston says Tasmania has five native and three introduced rodent species, and lists droppings, gnawing, sounds, odour and sightings as the signs.

For renters, Legal Aid Tasmania says new laws in March 2026 make it easier to get approval for a pet. A landlord's pet conditions can include keeping up with flea treatments, but only with the renter's agreement, and a landlord can't ask for a pet bond, a higher bond or higher rent for a pet.