The City of Canning has initiated a Polyphagous Shot Hole Borer (PSHB) management trial, the first of its kind in WA, to evaluate potential treatment options for the invasive beetle.
Partnering with Bioherbicides Australia and Queensland University, the City will use an innovative chemical injection method to manage and potentially eradicate PSHB infestations.
The trial will involve injecting PSHB-infested trees and nearby at-risk trees with a specialised insecticide and fungicide mix, the first time such a treatment has been used in Perth, with the goal of assessing its effectiveness in controlling or eradicating existing infestations.
The first trial site is located at Bicentennial Adenia Park in Riverton.
The City of Canning said the methodology had been validated by Dr Ben Phillips from Curtin University’s School of Molecular and Life Sciences for its scientific integrity, and they are also collaborating with Beaver Tree Services, arboriculture experts from ArbWest, and the City of Perth and the City of Vincent to share data and learnings from each other’s experiences.
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) has confirmed with The Examiner Newspaper that 191 trees have been removed in the City of Canning due to an infestation of PSHB, and 19 others have been pruned, primarily in the Wilson area.
In the City of Gosnells, 59 trees have been removed and 4 pruned.
Across the whole of Perth’s metropolitan area, more than 4,000 trees have been removed, and over 1,000 have been pruned to date a in an effort to control, contain, and eradicate the pest.
More than halfway into a three-year PSHB national eradication campaign, the DPIRD said they are aware of the City of Canning’s trials and are also working with industry and research groups to explore alternative potential solutions.
“[We remain] open to new solutions and continue to engage with local scientists to explore research opportunities under Western Australian conditions,” a DPIRD spokesperson said.
“DPIRD continues to undertake research and trials, including collaborations with the City of Perth and the City of Vincent, to examine PSHB treatment options used overseas to prevent the loss of trees.”
While not a complete solution to PSHB, Mayor Patrick Hall believes it is a key step in an integrated pest management approach and emphasised its importance in protecting the community and the broader environmental health of Perth’s urban forests.
“While we recognise that managing PSHB is a complex issue, we see this trial as a vital step in protecting our trees and green spaces,” Mayor Hall said.
“As we lead the way in the PSHB response, we’re focusing our efforts on preserving tree health, not just eradicating pests, and our partnerships with experts highlight our commitment to making a long-term positive impact for the community – and the environment.”
The trial is set to run for several months, with continuous monitoring and adjustments throughout.
