Peel Harvey Biosecurity Group

31/08/2026

We'll be at SJ Farmers Market this Saturday, September 5, with free fruit fly traps, trap recipes and fruit fly information. Come along, say hi and support local businesses and growers!

Watch our video on making a Vegemite fruit trap:

How to make a trap for fruit flies with that great Australian pantr...

31/08/2026

A new study by Murdoch University highlights the critical role citizen scientists play in the surveillance, early detection and monitoring of invasive pests.

Scientists and government agencies can't be everywhere, but interested, informed community members like you provide thousands of extra pairs of eyes on the ground in real time.

Whether it's new threats like the PSHB or long-term battles against rabbits, your observations and control efforts do make a difference.

Read more about the study and the importance of citizen science in invasive species detection in the article below. 👇

A NEW study by researchers at Murdoch University has found that citizen science is crucial for the effective surveillance, detection, and monitoring of invasive pests.

28/08/2026

Do you recognise this w**d? It's a young Paterson's curse plant!

If you hear someone refer to Paterson's curse 'rosette stage', this is what is meant. The dark green, arrow-shaped leaves grow in a tight, layered circle held firmly in the ground by a strong taproot. The spiky hairs that cover mature plants are still soft and fine at this stage.

When the plant is in the rosette stage, it's easiest to control. It can be crash-grazed by sheep or goats, and the taproot is still small enough that you can pull the plant out either with your fingers or a small digging tool. Paterson's curse is vulnerable to herbicides at all stages of growth, but it is best to spray plants during this stage - before they flower - to reduce seed and damage to the surrounding landscape. Mature plants can be quite large and will smother and crowd out pasture or native plants.

**ds

26/08/2026

Struggling to get rid of all those w**ds? If you live in Peel-Harvey, you could be eligible to borrow our w**d control equipment - and we don't charge rental fees! We have the w**d spray trailer talked about in the reel (great for broadleaf w**ds), but we also have w**d wipers, spray tanks for ute or UTV, and backpack sprayers. Get in touch via this form: https://forms.gle/UQXu5wZQKzinAziGA

25/08/2026

Please keep an eye out for sick birds or animals as bird flu makes its way across our country. Your reports are important!

25/08/2026

Run, piggie, run!

(Sent in from our Feral Animals Officer while on a pig trapping site - the kangaroo strongly disagreed with the pig's presence!)

24/08/2026

Are you subscribed to our newsletter?

If you pay the Declared Pest Rate in Peel-Harvey, you're eligible to borrow w**d and feral animal control equipment from PHBG. Our newsletter is a great way to get seasonal reminders about control work and what equipment we have available. We also update our readers on what we've been up to and what events are coming up. The spring edition comes out next week, so subscribe today! Click here: https://tinyurl.com/phbgnewsletter

24/08/2026

THREE SPOTS UP FOR GRABS! We've had some cancellations for our very popular homeschool day tomorrow and there are three (3) places left for young students to come along to what is sure to be a fun day of hands-on learning.

Join us, BirdLife Western Australia and Kaarakin Black Cockatoo Conservation Centre as we explore the biosecurity threats affecting our native birds and the simple actions we can take to help protect them.

Act quickly to grab your tickets: https://events.humanitix.com/homeschool-learning-day

21/08/2026

Do you keep livestock? Maybe you've just moved to the Peel Harvey region to live the dream with a horse and some sheep. Did you know there are several w**ds very common in pasture and cleared areas that pose a very serious danger to your animals? We have a chat with Dr Jess, a local vet, who takes us through the major toxic w**ds and what you, as your animals' human, should be on the lookout for.

Full interview here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdiHEUQZFoA