Pests Animals and Plants

Pest Animals

Pest animals pose a serious threat to our biodiversity. They contribute to the direct loss of our native wildlife and can significantly change and disturb native vegetation.

Pest animals include foxes, rabbits, wild pigs and wild dogs. Council undertakes targeted pest animal controls within our bushland reserves.

Domestic animals, if left to wander also pose a serious threat to our wildlife. Being a responsible pet owner is one of the most important things you can do to protect our native animals.

What you can do to help

Don't let your dog roam around the neighbourhood
All dogs are required by law to be adequately contained to your property. Further information go to the Responsible Pet Ownership page.

Keep your dog on a lead when visiting bushland reserves
Dogs are a big threat to our native wildlife. They can directly injure wildlife and can spread unwanted weed seeds on their fur and paws. Remember do check where dogs are permitted and always keep your dogs on a lead when visiting our bushland reserves.

Ensure your cat is remains inside between dawn and dusk
Some local areas of the municipality are also cat free. Make sure you know if you live in a cat free location. Further information go to the Responsible Pet Ownership page.

Foxes and rabbits

Any enquiries or complaints relating to foxes on private property should be directed to the Department of Primary Industries. This includes the trapping of foxes and disposal of their carcasses.

For further information go to the Department of Primary Industries website or Customer Serve centre on 136 186.

The Department of Sustainability Web site provides further information about pest animals, including information on potential problem wildlife such as swooping birds and living with possums.

Pest Plants

Pest plants are a major threat to our natural environment. They have the ability to change and destroy habitats and ecosystems, outcompeting indigenous plants for light, nutrients and water. This leaves our native wildlife without food and habitat, leading to the extinction of many animals.

Environmental weeds are listed as a threatening process for native vegetation under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988.

Council Rangers work within our reserves and with the local community to remove pest plants such as Sweet Pittosporum, Blackberry, Boneseed, Contoneaster and Agapanthus from invading our bushland reserves.

Many pest plants are spread from garden escapees. Seeds are spread from our gardens by birds and animals or by people dumping garden cuttings into our bush and waterways. Please ensure you dispose of your garden waste responsibly.

What can you do to help

Choose appropriate plants for your garden

It is important to choose plants carefully for your garden. Our Sustainable Gardening in Frankston and Local Plants Guide (insert link to Environment Publications - publications) will help you to identify weed species in your garden and provides some great alternative indigenous plant species for your garden. Remember to group plants in your garden together according to their sun/shade, water and fertilizer needs. Not only will this attract native wildlife to your garden and save you money, it will also reduce your water use!

Remove invasive weeds from your garden

Weeds are natural invaders of our bush. Remove any invasive weed species from your gardens and replace them with plants that are native to the area. Cut off the seed heads of any garden escapees and put them in the bin.

Dispose of your garden prunings and lawn clippings responsibly

Dumping garden waste in natural reserves causes serious environmental damage, smothering native plants and spreading weeds. Mulch your garden clippings or take them to the Waste Transfer Station.