Two kinds of Box Hill
More high-rise on the way
The City of Whitehorse says it has a number of high-rise buildings, with many more planned in the Box Hill Metropolitan Activity Centre. Around that centre, the city is mostly quiet tree-lined streets of stand-alone houses and duplexes.
European wasp nests
Whitehorse says nests can be underground, in trees, or under or in the walls of houses. They're about the size of a football and peak in autumn. Never disturb one, even in winter. If it's on a power pole, notify United Energy.
Possums and the 50 metre rule
Whitehorse says relocating a possum more than 50 metres from where it lives is illegal and inhumane. If one is stripping a tree, a possum band at least 600mm wide on the trunk works as a temporary measure while the tree recovers.
Why apartments are different
Pests don't respect unit boundaries. They travel through wall cavities, service ducts and bin rooms, so it pays to tell building management early. Your neighbour may be seeing the same thing.
German cockroaches usually arrive as stowaways in cardboard boxes and crates of food and drink, says Victoria's Department of Health. Bed bugs turn up most often where occupants change, the Better Health Channel says, and apartment complexes are on its list. If you've found either, check our pages on cockroach control and bed bug treatment first.
Questions if you're in an apartment
- Has anyone else in the building reported the same thing?
- Will the owners corporation treat bin rooms and service ducts at the same time?
- Which product will be used in my unit, and how long should I stay out?
- If I'm renting, who deals with this? Consumer Affairs Victoria says the law doesn't always spell it out, and either side can apply to VCAT if you can't agree.
What we'd do in Box Hill
In an apartment, tell building management first, so the job covers more than your unit. In a house, leave European wasp nests alone at any time of year and have a pest business treat them. Then tell us what you've seen and your postcode.
Want someone to look at it?
Tell us what you've seen and your postcode, and a local pest business that handles exactly that calls you to talk it through.
