Near any nest
Keep people and pets away and don't disturb it. DPIRD warns that disturbing a busy nest can lead to thousands of painful stings. If someone has noisy breathing or a swollen tongue or throat after a sting, call 000.
What's different in Gosnells
Why the wasp question comes up
The WA Government named Kenwick and Gosnells among the traditional European wasp hotspots in November 2023, and DPIRD's 2025 to 2026 nest list included Gosnells. The City still says nearly all reports are paper wasps, so check before you worry.
Wild hives are on the landholder
The City says the owner or occupier is responsible for treating or removing a wild bee hive on private property. If a hive on Council land is causing a nuisance, it asks you to contact the City.
River, wetlands and scarp
The Astley Street River Foreshore is a revegetation project on degraded Canning River foreshore and floodplain, begun in 2001. The City says wetlands are numerous on its coastal plain side, and it manages Ellis Brook Valley, a 600 hectare natural area.
Mosquitoes to report
The City's Health and Compliance section takes reports of mosquito activity you suspect is coming from water bodies or a private property. It says the main mosquito borne diseases in the metro area are Ross River virus and Barmah Forest virus.
Which one have you got?
| Paper wasp | European wasp | |
|---|---|---|
| Colour | Mainly black with some yellow or orange bands | Bright lemon yellow with black stripes and yellow legs |
| Waist | Very narrow, on a slender body | Stout, about the size of a honey bee |
| Nest | Open cone of cells under eaves or branches | Usually a hole in the ground, rarely seen |
| What to do | A pest business can deal with it | Report it to DPIRD, and leave it alone |
Rats when it cools down
The City says that in the colder months rats shelter wherever they can, and that can include homes and outbuildings. If the activity seems to come from next door, the same Health and Compliance section takes reports about a neighbouring property.
Stack firewood off the ground, block gaps around pipes, and keep pet food sealed. WA Health says rat droppings run 12 mm to 18 mm long, and that greasy trails and missing pet food are signs too.
Before you pick a pest business
Ask for its Department of Health registration number, because WA's register isn't open to the public. Ask to see the technician's licence as well: WA Health says the endorsements show which treatments they're qualified to do, and any conditions are listed on the back of the card.
Our take on pests in Gosnells
If you've got wasps, take a photo from well back and compare it with the table. Most will be paper wasps, and that's an ordinary job. If it's a hole in the ground with yellow wasps going in and out, keep everyone away and report it.
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.
