EUROPEAN HOUSE BORER

Current Action

A transition from EHB eradication to management will take place throughout 2011. The EHB eradication efforts undertaken over the past six years will ensure effective EHB management and control in the future.

The transition in effect means there will be no further removal of live pine trees. With the spread of EHB into northern pine plantations, it was concluded it would no longer be practically feasible to remove the number of infested trees required to achieve eradication.

In the future, a greater focus on EHB self-management will be vital to containment. Overall, industry and the community will need to play a significant role in ongoing surveillance, management and control, similar to termites and other pest management.

Over the next 12 months, the EHB Response Program will focus on:

• State-wide communication activities to ensure awareness.
  
  
• Emphasis on management strategies to support the community in reducing EHB spread and infestation.
  
  
• Extension of current EHB training for pest controllers, to ensure inspectors will be a valuable source of information and assistance for home owners concerned about EHB infestation.
  
  
• Education of building industry and homeowners on the need to use EHB non-susceptible materials, such as treated pinewood, in all construction.
  
  
• Continued work with the Domestic Quarantine and Market Access Working Group (DQMAWG) to develop protocols for the future movement of EHB host material from Western Australia (to contain EHB).
  
  
• Development of a national communication strategy for the likelihood of EHB discovery in other States, and the future need for education and awareness.
  
  
• Negotiations with local governments to seek their continued involvement in EHB education and other related issues.
  
  

There will also be consultation with other key stakeholders, such as the housing and timber industries, to discuss effective management strategies to deal with EHB in the future.