Polyphagous shot-hole borer (PSHB) is an established biosecurity problem in metropolitan Perth, and parts of the City of Canning are subject to quarantine rules. The evidence available from government and council sources confirms a serious response, but does not independently establish that PSHB is “running rampant” across Canning or that mature trees there are generally being destroyed. If you see possible signs, report them and check current rules before moving wood, prunings or plants.
What PSHB is—and what the signs can tell you
PSHB, Euwallacea fornicatus, is a small invasive beetle that tunnels into trunks, stems and branches. It carries a Fusarium fungus, which the beetle and its larvae use as food. In susceptible trees, the fungus can damage tissue and interfere with the tree’s function; the beetle-fungus complex is associated with wilting, branch dieback and, in some cases, tree death. The Australian Government describes the beetle as about 2 mm long and reports more than 400 host species. DPIRD says more than 500 species have been documented as affected globally; those figures use different scopes and should not be treated as interchangeable. Australian Government outbreak guidance; DPIRD PSHB information.
DPIRD lists possible signs including tiny holes of about 1 mm, tunnels or galleries, branch dieback, staining or lesions, sawdust-like frass, gumming, and white crystalline or foamy “sugar volcanoes.” These signs warrant reporting and advice; a single symptom or photograph is not enough to confirm PSHB.
What to do if you suspect PSHB
- Leave the material in place. Do not carry suspect branches, prunings or other plant material elsewhere. Keep it on the property while you seek official advice.
- Report the signs to DPIRD. Use the MyPestGuide Reporter app or contact the Pest and Disease Information Service. The Australian Government also lists the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline at 1800 084 881. Follow the current instructions for any photographs or samples.
- Check the current zone and directions. Use DPIRD’s live map and guidance before arranging tree work or moving any material. Zone boundaries and requirements can change.
Sources: Australian Government outbreak guidance; DPIRD PSHB information; DPIRD PSHB FAQ.
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- Tree and shrub insect control is rainproof within hours; for best results, spray with enough time for it to completely dry before it rains; this long lasting solution will not wash off after it has dried
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Quarantine rules for wood, prunings and contractors
Canning says parts of the City entered the quarantine area in November 2021. Regulated material includes untreated wood, branches, prunings, bark, firewood, mulch and wood chips. Its local guidance says pieces wider than 2.5 cm must be chipped below that width before leaving the area; woody-stemmed living plants over 2 cm cannot leave, and a permit is required for some green waste that cannot be chipped to the required size. It also advises cleaning gardening equipment of green waste before leaving. These are local guidance details, not a substitute for checking the current DPIRD zone rules before a movement.
If hiring a contractor for substantial tree work, tell them the property is in the quarantine area before work begins. The City of Canning advises customers to make contractors aware of the rules. Confirm who will handle, chip, transport or dispose of the material, and ensure the plan complies with current directions. City of Canning PSHB guidance; DPIRD PSHB FAQ.
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- This insect control is designed for outdoor residential use for protection of trees and shrubs.
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- Simply mix liquid concentrate with water and pour around base of tree or shrub. See label for rates.
Tree work depends on the zone, risk and ownership
Western Australia’s response is in a Transition to Management phase, with targeted surveillance, development of integrated pest management, and support and training for landowners. The national plan described in DPIRD’s January 2026 FAQ runs for 18 months, ending 1 January 2027. DPIRD says its pruning and removal work focuses on outer-metropolitan trees posing a risk of spread beyond the quarantine area. Other metropolitan landowners and managers are responsible for managing affected trees, with advice and support; pruning or removal in the Containment Zone is handled case by case.
That means a suspected or affected tree is not automatically a removal case. Private and public trees, containment and management zones, and work that crosses a quarantine boundary can be treated differently. Seek current DPIRD direction and a qualified tree assessment before deciding what work is appropriate. Do not move material as part of pruning or removal unless the applicable rules allow it. DPIRD PSHB FAQ.
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- INSECT KILLER: 12 Month Tree & Shrub Protect & Feed kills Japanese Beetles, Emerald Ash Borers, Adelgids, Leafminers, Aphids, and other listed insects that damage trees and shrubs
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- GET MORE FROM THE BLUE BOTTLE: The threats of invasive insect species that attack trees and shrubs continues to spread across the country; Take action to protect your trees with our collection of tree and shrub products
What Canning’s treatment trial does—and does not—show
On 31 January 2025, the City of Canning announced an experimental systemic treatment trial involving infested trees and nearby at-risk trees. The City said the work used an insecticide and fungicide mix, a specialized application method and monitoring, under an APVMA experimental-use authorization. On 9 April 2025, it reported “promising” early results from a 131-tree trial in Canning River Regional Park, saying the chemicals were inhibiting beetle development and fungal growth. Those are preliminary results reported by the City; they do not establish an approved, generally available treatment or a proven cure for every species and site. City of Canning trial announcement; City of Canning trial update.
A separate City of Perth report in March 2026 described its own surveillance and treatment program: it recorded two PSHB-related tree removals in 2024/25 and approximately 95% beetle reduction at identified locations using bifenthrin under DPIRD emergency-use permit requirements. Those results concern the City of Perth program, not Canning, and are not a homeowner efficacy guarantee or treatment recommendation. City of Perth program report.
Quick Recap
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- INSECT KILLER: 12 Month Tree & Shrub Protect & Feed kills Japanese Beetles, Emerald Ash Borers, Adelgids, Leafminers, Aphids, and other listed insects that damage trees and shrubs
- PROTECTS UP TO 12 MONTHS: One application kills listed insects and prevents new infestations for up to a year
- FEEDS & PROTECTS: Slow-release plant food improves the health of your outdoor trees, shrubs, and container plants
- EASY APPLICATION: No spraying or mixing required; Measure with the built-in cup, sprinkle around the base, and water in
- GET MORE FROM THE BLUE BOTTLE: The threats of invasive insect species that attack trees and shrubs continues to spread across the country; Take action to protect your trees with our collection of tree and shrub products
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- Kill borers, miners and more in your lawn and garden with Annual Tree & Shrub Insect Control Concentrate with Systemaxx from Bonide
- Concentrate dissolves in water allowing the insecticide to move through the root zone; once in the roots, it moves up through the tree or shrub providing protection from insects; also provides protection for new growth
- Designed for use on listed fruit, nut and ornamental trees and shrubs including roses, apple, peach, cherry trees and more
- Tree and shrub insect control is rainproof within hours; for best results, spray with enough time for it to completely dry before it rains; this long lasting solution will not wash off after it has dried
- This concentrated product arrives ready to mix with water; to use, mix with water according to product label, shake well and apply as a spray or drench; for full use instructions, please see product label
Practical steps to reduce spread risk
- Check trees while pruning and report suspicious signs rather than trying to diagnose them yourself.
- Do not move plants or cuttings with stems greater than 2 cm outside metropolitan Perth, and check quarantine requirements for all regulated material.
- Use reputable wood mulch, preferably from an unaffected species, or consider non-wood alternatives.
- Sanitize tools that have contacted infested wood. DPIRD names 70% ethanol as its preferred tool disinfectant; follow product labeling. Disinfectant is for tool hygiene, not a treatment for beetles or fungus inside a tree.
- Before tree work, establish whether the tree is public or private, identify the applicable zone, and agree with the contractor how regulated material will be handled.
Source: DPIRD PSHB information.
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