In Your Enviroment

Bees

Bees become very active in Spring and generally swarm between September and December. This is a natural behaviour and is part of the reproductive life cycle of honey bees.

Bee swarms on private property are the responsibility of the occupier. People willing to collect bees in your area can be found in the yellow pages under “Apiarists” or “Bee-keepers”. For more troublesome swarms and nests, it may be necessary to contact a local Pest Controller.

Any person wishing to keep bees must be registered with the Department of Agriculture.

In addition, the Department investigates complaints about nuisance bees. Any person inquiring about bee-keeping or wishing to make a complaint about nuisance bees should contact the Department of Agriculture on (02) 6391 3100, or visit their website for a form to report any problems.

Magpies

For many months of the year Magpies are just another part of the environment, with many Australians not giving them another thought. It’s not until they start swooping that Magpies become a problem.

It is important to realise that swooping is a natural behaviour, as the birds defend their nesting territory. Swooping only occurs for about eight weeks in spring, from August until October.

There are things we can do to avoid being swooped:

• Avoid the swooping areas by taking an alternative route.
• Wear a wide brim hat and sunglasses.
• Carry and umbrella.
• Watch the bird as you walk through its territory, this may discourage attack.

Remember that Magpies are protected throughout NSW and it is against the law to kill them, collect their eggs, or harm their young.

For more information on Magpies visit NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service website.

Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes are not only an annoying pest to you, your family and pets, they are also transmitters of pathogens and parasites. Some of the common diseases known to be caused by mosquitoes are Filariasis (Heart Worm), Epidemic polyarthritis (Ross River Fever).

Australian encephalitis
Breeding occurs in any stagnant water body so make sure your property does not have water lying around. In order to prevent breeding you should change water weekly in bird baths, stock ponds with fish, make sure your roof gutters drain properly, remove pot plant saucers or fill them with sand, check funnels of bromeliad plants, screen or cover septic and water holding tanks, and keep lawns and other ground vegetation short. Partly emptied swimming pools containing dirty water are very likely to breed mosquitoes so demolish your pool, fill it in or drain it completely if not used. But now they’re back and breeding, possibly in your own back yard and this makes YOU a target for their next bloodmeal. You could also be exposed to viral and parasitic attack.

For more information on Mosquitoes see NSW Health publication ‘Mosquitoes are a Health Hazard’. (Murray Valley Fever).

Snakes

Council does not under any circumstances provide a service for the removal of snakes. Residents are advised to contact:

Wildlife Information & Rescue Service (WIRES)
PO Box 1314
WAGGA WAGGA NSW 2650
Phone: 02 6921 5135

WIRES has access to snake experts (herpetologists) who may be able to assist on a voluntary basis.

Composting Information

Composting is a great way to recycle your green waste from inside your house and around your yard. The finished product makes a great fertilizer for the garden and can be used as mulch and potting mix.

Council’s ‘Handy Household Hints’ brochure is full of good tips on how to:

• Compost Correctly and
• Shop Smart to Reduce Rubbish

Wood Heaters

When winter roles around and the temperature drops outside, we reach for another blanket and light our wood fires, and the air outside becomes mysteriously hazy.

Smoke from wood heaters is a major cause of air pollution. Not only is a smoking fire wasting your money, but the air pollution it causes can also affect our health. If you can see or smell smoke then you are causing a problem for yourself, your family and your neighbours.