European Wasps
An owner or occupier of property who is aware that there is a European wasps nest on the property must cause it to be removed/or destroyed. The most effective means to control a European wasp problem is to destroy their nest. You can either call in a pest company or do it yourself. If you decide to destroy the nest yourself, remember to take precautions as European wasps will aggressively defend their nest.
Council will destroy any nests on Council managed land. Please contact Councils Environment Officer on 03 57550 555 to report the location of a European wasp nest.
Rabbits
Visit or click dpi.vic.gov.au/agriculture/pests-diseases-and-weeds/pest-animals/a-z-of-pest-animals/european-rabbit
Indian Mynas
The Common or Indian Myna, identified by its yellow beak and eye patch, and brown body, is an introduced pest bird and their population is spreading rapidly. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature has ranked the Myna amongst the world’s 100 most invasive pest species.
They are territorial and highly aggressive birds who compete with and displace native wildlife for habitat areas. They take over tree hollows and plug up nest sites they are not using, forcing possums and birds out and ejecting nestlings and eggs from their nests. They also compete with native fauna for food and habitat.
Currently, the Myna has not populated areas within the Alpine Shire however populations are increasing in adjoining areas such as Wangaratta and Benalla.
For those communities that have seen the invasion of myna birds, the problem is serious. The colonisation of myna birds has almost always coincided with a sharp decline in native wildlife. The community can be a powerful hand in turning things around. Community members who sight Indian Mynas within the Alpine Shire are urged to contact Councils Environment Officer on 03 5755 0532.
Further information on the Indian Myna can be found on the Department of Environment and Primary Industries website.
Mice
Visit or click dpi.vic.gov.au/agriculture/pests-diseases-and-weeds/pest-animals/managing-mice-around-the-household
Feral Cats
Visit or click dpi.vic.gov.au/agriculture/pests-diseases-and-weeds/pest-animals/a-z-of-pest-animals/cat-feral-or-wild
Wild Dogs
Wild dogs in the Alpine Shire have evolved from dingoes and domestic dogs. Breeding between domestic dogs and dingoes has taken place since European settlement. Dingoes that have bred with domestic dogs gone wild (escaped farm and town dogs, hunting dogs lost in the bush, unwanted dogs dumped in the bush) have resulted in physical changes to the dingoes. There are now a variety of body shapes, sizes and coat colours.
Within the Alpine Shire, wild dogs are generally distributed throughout the forested areas of the region, much of it public land. Numbers of dogs increase with the onset of winter as the dogs in the high country are forced down the mountains as the snow season starts.
Landowners who spot or hear wild dogs near their property are encouraged to contact the Department of Environment and Primary Industries immediately as packs of wild dogs tend to only stay in the one area for a couple of weeks.
Further information on the control of wild dogs can be found from the Department of Environment and Primary Industries.
Swooping birds
Snakes
Snakes that are commonly found within the Alpine Shire include the Red-bellied black snake, Eastern Brown snake and the Tiger snake. Whilst these species are highly venomous, under most circumstances snakes will try to escape when they encounter humans, they will only bite when they find themselves cornered and can't escape.
Some key points to remember about living in an area with snakes: