The City of Cape Town will offer free training services to educate residents and businesses in Parow, Strand and Masiphumelele about identifying trees infested with the invasive Polyphagous Shot Hole Borer beetle (PSHB) species.
This is according to a statement released by the City of Cape Town on 15 February 2024.
Pest control by civilians
The training sessions will include how attendees should ‘manage and transport beetle infested biomass to prevent the spread of the pest as far as possible’.
The PSHB beetles pose a threat to the urban forest of Cape Town, as the beetle species damages trees, which then in turn have to be chipped.
Fungicides and pesticides have largely been ineffective in combating beetles from infected trees.
The training sessions will be hosted by officials from the City of Cape Town’s Invasive Species Unit, providing information about the beetle, the threats it poses, and recorded infestations in Cape Town.
What to look out for
There are a few warning signs to look out for when a tree has been infected by the PSHB beetle.
This includes a ‘branch break-off revealing webs of galleries filled with black fungus’, liquid and gum oozing from the beetle holes, tiny holes on the bark of a tree with a diameter of 2mm, and brow or dark stains on the bark of the tree.
Trees that are infested should be chipped and not removed from the property, or the pest will spread to other areas.
It is also advised to not buy and move firewood from areas where trees are infested with the beetle.
Details:
- Date: Tuesday, 27 February, 2024
- Location: Jan Burger Hall, Jan Burger Sports Grounds, Parow North
- Time: 9am to 1pm
- RSVP: [email protected]
- Date: Wednesday, 28 February, 2024
- Location: Masiphumelele Community Hall, Corner Skina and Myeza Roads, Masiphumelele
- Time: 9am to 1pm
- RSVP: [email protected]
- Date: Tuesday, 5 March, 2024
- Location: Charles Morkel Hall, Church Street, Strand
- Time: 9am to 1pm
- RSVP: [email protected]
If you want to report a PSHB beetle sighting, contact the City of Cape Town’s Invasive Species Unit on 021 444 2357, Monday to Friday, from 7:30am to 4pm, or send an email to [email protected].
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Picture: Invasive Polyphagous Shot Hole Borer beetle / City of Cape Town