What's different in Mentone
Wasp nests and the local law
Clause 59 of Kingston's Community Local Law says an owner or occupier must not keep or allow a European or English wasp nest to remain on the property, and must act on an authorised officer's notice. Council says having a nest on your land dealt with by a pest control company is your responsibility. Under clause 60, an officer may step in if wasps or bees present a risk to health and safety.
The bay side of Beach Road
Mentone Beach is the northern starting point of a long curve of coast. Victoria's Department of Health says coastal areas usually start their mosquito season earlier and finish later than inland ones, and Kingston says heavy rain can create ideal breeding conditions.
Rodents are a neighbour conversation
Kingston calls rats and mice a common problem. If they're coming from next door, it suggests speaking with your neighbour, and its Environmental Health team can help.
Swarms in spring
Kingston says bee swarming usually happens in spring. A local beekeeper can take accessible swarms on private property, and Customer Care on the same number takes swarms on Council land.
Before anyone goes near a nest
Keep children and dogs out of that part of the yard, and don't block or poke at the entrance. If a sting brings on noisy breathing, a change in someone's voice or collapse, phone 000.
Keeping a Mentone yard quieter
- Remove anything that collects rain, and change the water in pet bowls and bird baths each week.
- Keep flyscreens intact, and look after pools and rainwater tanks.
- Keep rubbish bins shut and clean up around the barbecue, since wasps go for meat and sweet food.
- Store outdoor pet food inside overnight, so it doesn't feed mice or rats.
What we'd do in Mentone
Don't wait for a notice. If you've found a wasp nest, get it dealt with while it's small. For a swarm, try a beekeeper first. For anything else, 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.
