What's different in Sandringham
Not designated, still a risk
Bayside says it isn't a designated termite area, but that there's always a risk of attack, so protection should always be considered. That's a statement about building rules, so don't read it as a clean bill of health for an older house.
Heathland in the suburb
Bayside lists Bay Road Heathland Sanctuary here, the nearest heathland to the Melbourne CBD and the largest in Bayside, plus George Street Reserve and Merinda Park. Bush this close means more wildlife around the garden.
The possum in your roof
Bayside says common ringtails generally don't live in buildings, so a roof tenant is more likely to be a brushtail. Its advice is to block every entry point to the roof, which has to wait until the possum's gone out for the night, and put a possum box in a nearby tree. Trapping a ringtail without a permit is illegal.
Rat bait and owls
In March 2022, Bayside said second-generation rat poisons are thought to be linked to rising deaths of powerful owls, which visit its open spaces. Ask what's in any bait before it goes down.
A bee swarm on the fence
Bayside says honey bees usually swarm from September to December, and a swarm often clears by itself within 2 to 3 days as it looks for a place to nest. Don't try to move it or spray it, because that could aggravate the bees.
Keep people and pets back, and call a beekeeper if it stays or it's somewhere awkward. A colony that has moved into a wall is a different job, and our Melbourne bees page explains why.
What brings rodents to a bayside garden
- Chicken pens and aviaries, so feed needs a sealed bin and spills need sweeping up.
- Compost piles, so keep them covered and away from the house.
- Fallen fruit and pet food left out overnight.
- Stacked timber and hard rubbish along the back fence.
Where we'd start with pests in Sandringham
If it's a swarm, wait a couple of days from a safe distance. If it's a noise in the roof, get the gaps found. If you're buying, book a timber pest inspection anyway. 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.
