Soldier Beetles

If your garden has become overrun by a plague of beetles with a yellow or orange stripe behind their head, don’t be alarmed.

While they are easy to confuse with wasps, the soldier beetle is a harmless insect often seen in plague proportions this time of year.

Despite their numbers, they are not classified as a pest, they don’t bite or sting and pose no risk to humans.

There are no known predators and no known control but don't worry, once their breeding season is over, they will disappear in a matter of weeks.

For more information on pests, plants and other topics of interest check out Council's Greener Living web pages at www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/greenerliving.

 

 

 

 

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Weed Blitz month

Environmental weeds continue to be a blight on the Yarra Ranges landscape, particularly in the hills.

Damp, wet forest environments mixed with a large urban population have helped weeds flourish across fence lines into native forest.

Weeds compete with native plants for light, space, water and nutrients and often have faster life cycles and generate more seeds than native plants giving them the competitive edge.

Weeds can remove vital food sources and nesting places from native animals. Did you know English Ivy can smother and kill even the tallest Mountain Ash?

There are hundreds of weeds in the Yarra Ranges with Blackberry, Broom and Wandering Trad some of the biggest problems. In the hills, English Ivy, Wandering Trad, Sweet Pittosporum, English Holly, Angled Onion and Sycamore Maple are the biggest offenders.

Council and numerous community groups have been working to control weeds for years but this November the Council is urging residents to target weeds in their own backyards.

In partnership with other organisations and community volunteers, Yarra Ranges Council is holding a Wacky Wipe Out Weeds event.

The event will include information stands and performance artists appearing at local markets, a weed blitz free tipping day and a longest ivy plait competition where schools, community groups and individuals can win cash prizes.

The aim is to help educate residents about the scourge of environmental weeds.

The free weed tipping day is on Saturday 16 November with skips available at Monbulk Recreation Reserve, Kallista Community House and Kalorama Memorial Reserve from 9am until 3pm.

Bring your environmental weeds for safe disposal.

A full list of environmental weeds and advice on weed removal is available online at www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/weeds or by calling the the Biodiversity Conservation Team on 1300 368 333.

Due to State Legislation, Council will be unable to accept Noxious Weeds. For details on how to remove check out www.dpi.vic.gov.au/weeds.
 

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