The public is urged to be on the lookout for European wasps following the discovery of 15 nests in Perth this year.
Agriculture and Food Minister Terry Redman said mature nests posed a serious threat to Western Australia's agriculture industries, human health and the environment.
"Eight of these nests have recently been found in the Kewdale and Welshpool areas. Three nests were particularly active, with more than 200 wasps flying in and out of the nest entrance each minute," Mr Redman said.
"We are fortunate in WA that these wasps have not established and it is important to find and remove all nests before new queens are released into the environment.
"If they were to establish, European wasps will become pests in orchards, vineyards, apiaries and the general environment.
"They have a nasty sting and can impact on the WA outdoors lifestyle.
"European wasps are attracted to beer and soft drink containers, along with fish and meat at barbecues. They are also attracted to pet food and have become a serious outdoor pest in the Eastern States of Australia."
European wasps are a declared pest and nests are removed free of charge by the Department of Agriculture and Food.
"Biosecurity is everyone's business and this is a great example of the State Government investing in an area that will benefit the whole community," the Minister said.
"Every year we invest about $38million towards biosecurity surveillance, quarantine and border protection to ensure we keep WA pest and disease free."
European wasps can be confused with the common yellow paper wasp. The European wasp is bright yellow with black stripes and is identified by its all-black antennae, whereas the paperwasps antennae are orange/brown.
Reports of European wasps or nests should be made to the department's Pest and Disease Information Service on freecall 1800 084 881, which can also provide further information. For more information go to http://www.agric.wa.gov.au and search for European wasps.
Minister's office - 9213 6700
