Pest animals
Certain pest animals can cause a nuisance to residents. While Council cannot remove pests from private property, we can provide information to assist you with the prevention or removal of pest activity.
It’s important to remember possums are not a pest, but a native animal protected by the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972. Possums are a threatened species in South Australia and relocating or destroying possums is prohibited.
For more information about living with possums and what can be done to manage them, visit the Department for Environment and Water website.
Council has possum trapping cages available for hire for residents to trap and remove possums that have taken up residence in roof spaces. Before traps can be supplied, a permit must be obtained from the Department for Environment and Water. For more information, call Black Hill Conservation Park on 08 7133 7300.
Possums are highly territorial, so it is a permit condition that trapped possums are released:
- within 24 hours of capture
- after dusk
- within their home range
- on the same property they were captured
- within 50 metres of the capture site.
For current hire fees, refer to Council's Fees and Charges Schedule.
For information about vermin prevention and control, visit:
Alternatively, contact the Eastern Health Authority on 08 8132 3600 or eha@eha.sa.gov.au.
It’s important to remember that snakes are protected native animals and it is illegal to kill them unless there is a direct threat to human life. Snakes have an important place in our ecosystem, especially in controlling rats and mice.
For information about snakes, please visit the Department of Environment and Water website.
If you discover a snake on your property you can contact the following businesses:
- Snake Away Services
0413 511 335 - Snake Catchers Adelaide
0413 511 440
www.snakecatchersadelaide.com.au - Adelaide Snake and Rodent Control
0487 489 198
www.adelaidesnakecatcher.com.au
Please note that Council is not responsible for removal of snakes or any costs associated with their removal.
Pigeons are a pest animal and can potentially pose a risk to public health. For more information regarding pigeons, visit the Eastern Health Authority website or call 08 8132 3600.
If you are having issues with pigeons roosting at your property, contact a pest controller for advice.
Established pest or feral animals are introduced animals that severely impact our environment, economy and social amenity.
For information about introduced pests and feral animals or to report a pest animal, please visit the Department of Primary Industries and Regions website.