What's different in Dural
Which Dural is this?
This page is the Dural in postcode 2158, with Middle Dural. Australia Post lists another Dural, postcode 2330, in Singleton Shire. Hornsby Shire Council lists Dural and Middle Dural, and The Hills Shire Council's list marks both as partly inside its boundary.
Chook pens and rodents
The Hills Shire Council's snake advice starts close to home: keep mice and rats under control, and aviaries and chook pens clean and secure. Fewer rodents means less reason for a snake to hang around.
Rabbits and foxes
Hornsby Shire Council says wild rabbits, red foxes, cats, common mynas and common carp are commonly found in the shire. It also says it has no regulatory power to force landholders to control pest animals on their land.
Hornsby side or Hills side?
| Hornsby Shire | The Hills Shire | |
|---|---|---|
| Snakes | Protected; no council action on council land unless there's a direct danger to people | Council doesn't capture or relocate them; call a licensed snake handler |
| Rabbits | Report sightings to FeralScan; no power over neighbours | A Community Rabbit Baiting program runs twice a year for residents who finish online training |
| Wasps, ants and termites | On private land, seek the advice of a qualified pest controller | We couldn't find a council statement |
Do termites only matter at the house?
On a bigger block, no. CSIRO says subterranean termites usually forage within 30 m of their nest, and occasionally 100 m or more, so sheds, fence posts, retaining walls and old stumps are all part of an inspection here. Hornsby Shire Council says it won't act on invertebrates on council land, termites included, unless they're a direct danger to people, so what happens on your block is up to you.
If you find damaged wood or mud tubes, don't disturb them. Several control options rely on finding active termites.
Bigger block jobs worth doing
- Keep stock and chook feed in sealed bins, and clean pens regularly.
- Keep the lawn short and clear piles of rubble and building materials from around the house.
- Stack firewood and timber off the ground and well away from the walls.
- Screen rainwater tanks, since unscreened tanks breed mosquitoes.
- Tell the inspector about every shed, pergola and timber retaining wall on the block.
Where we'd start with pests in Dural
Start with feed and rubble, because both bring in what you don't want. Then book a termite inspection that covers the whole block as well as the house. Pick Termites on this page, add your postcode, and mention the outbuildings.
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.
