Animals, Mosquitos, Rodents and Pests
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Poultry
Residents are permitted to keep poultry on their property in the Shire of Denmark. You do not need to inform the Shire that you keep poultry but there are Local Laws that set the conditions in which the poultry may be kept.
Poultry permitted in residential areas include chickens/hens, ducks and other birds kept commonly for the production of eggs for domestic consumption. Peafowls, geese, guinea fowls, turkeys or roosters are not permitted. Other than in a rural zone, the occupier of the property can keep up to 12 poultry.
More information, including conditions for keeping poultry, please view our information sheet.
To report an issue, please complete our online Report It form.
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Pigeons
The Shire of Denmark has local laws that require approvals for the keeping of pigeons and control the numbers of pigeons, loft construction and flight times. Please view our information sheet for more information.
To report an issue, please complete our online Report It form.
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Bees
Approval is required to keep bees in hives anywhere in the Shire of Denmark.
The keeping of bees in residential areas is strongly discouraged and approved ‘by exception’ only. To be permitted to keep bees you must:
- Register with the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, detailed information available at Bees | Agriculture and Food. You will then be issued with a “Certificate of Registration as a Beekeeper” which will specify which type/brand of hive you will be permitted to keep.
- Apply to the Shire of Denmark for permission to keep bees, attach your registration certificate from DPIRD and a map of the proposed location of the hives.
- Allow our Environmental Health Officer to inspect the area where the bees are to be kept.
Then, if there are no concerns, you will be issued with a permit to keep bees.
To report an issue, please complete our online Report It form.
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Rats and Mice
Rats pose a major public health risk. They carry and transmit many diseases, contaminate food and food preparation areas with their fur, droppings and urine, cause damage to buildings and create foul odours with their colonies.
To report an issue, please complete our online Report It form.
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Mosquitos and Other Pests
Mosquitos can pose a nuisance and serious health risk to the community by transmitting Ross River and Barmah Forest Viruses. Pets are also at risk of contracting heartworm from parasitic worms passed on by mosquitoes.
How to Repel or Control Mosquitos Around Your Home
At different times of the year, you may find mosquitoes around your home. Some of the ways to reduce the number of mosquitos around your property and in your home include:
- Install fly screens in outdoor sitting areas
- Use a fan to create a change in air pressure
- Turn off lights and change to yellow or low fluorescence globes
- Reduce garden foliage
- Use mosquito coils, lamps or bug zappers
- Apply a residual insecticide to outside areas
- Remove standing water e.g. clean gutters and empty water holding containers
While treatment activities reduce mosquito numbers, mosquitoes are a fact of life in the Great Southern. Not being bitten is the best way to protect yourself from mosquito borne illnesses. You can Fight the Bite' by applying a personal repellent containing DEET or picaridin on any exposed skin, wear loose-fitting long sleeve shirts and long pants.
Useful Links
Further information on other pests and tips on prevention is available on the Healthy WA website.
To report an issue, please complete our online Report It form.
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Contact
Our Environmental Health Officer is available to assist with queries.
Please complete our online Report It form to report an issue.
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