City of Cape Town Link

Invasive Species Programme

<h2 class="sectHeading">About</h2><div class="notification with-heading dark-copy pink bg-light-grey"><div class="graphic with-border"> <i class="info note"></i> </div><div class="desc"><h4>invasive wasp removal<br></h4><p> Our reporting tool is not for requesting the removal of invasive species, please only use this form to submit a sighting. If you have wasps on your property, contact your nearest/local registered pest control agency to assist with the safe removal and disposal of the wasps and their nests. As the property owner, you are responsible for the cost of removing wasps on your property.<br></p></div></div><p>In response to the threat posed by invasive species and efforts to protect the City’s unique biodiversity and to promote ecosystem service delivery, the City runs various invasive species projects that are aimed at:</p><ul><li>Managing and controlling <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Procedures%2c%20guidelines%20and%20regulations/Invasive_plants_Identikit.pdf" target="_blank">invasive terrestrial and aquatic plant species</a>; <br></li><li>Eradicating new and emerging <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Procedures%2c%20guidelines%20and%20regulations/Invasive_insect_Identikit.pdf" target="_blank">invasive alien species</a>, as well as; </li><li>Managing and controlling <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Procedures%2c%20guidelines%20and%20regulations/Invasive_animals_Identikit.pdf" target="_blank">invasive animal species</a> populations.</li></ul><p>We encourage members of the public to contribute to our <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Graphics%20and%20educational%20material/Invasive%20Species%20Programme.pdf" target="_blank">Invasive Species Programme</a> and help us locate where these invasive species occur.<br></p><p> <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/_layouts/15/WebFeedback.SharePoint/webfeedback.aspx?id=%201b209145-13a1-424d-89f9-5983ec5454e9" target="_blank">Submit an invasive species sighting</a>. </p> <span> <div class="notification with-heading dark-copy pink bg-light-grey"><div class="graphic with-border"> <i class="info toptip"></i> </div><div class="desc"><h4>Top tip</h4><p> <b></b>If you are having trouble identifying a species, simply submit your photos and observations to <a href="https://www.inaturalist.org/" target="_blank">iNaturalist<i class="icon link-external"></i></a> or <a href="https://www.ispotnature.org/" target="_blank">iSpot<i class="icon link-external"></i></a>; experts on these platforms can assist in identifying species.</p></div></div></span> <h2 class="sectHeading">Polyphagous Shot Hole Borer (PSHB) Beetle threat<br></h2><p>A <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Forms%2c%20notices%2c%20tariffs%20and%20lists/Borer_Beetle_Threat_Advert.pdf" target="_blank">PSHB beetle infestation</a> was first discovered in Somerset West in March 2019. The beetle has now spread to the southern suburbs of Cape Town. This pest poses a serious threat to our urban forests as infested trees need to be chipped when they become diseased and pose a danger to people and property.<br></p><p>You can help us by spreading awareness and reporting sightings.<br></p> <span> </span> <p></p><h4>Replacing PSHB infested trees on private properties<br></h4><p>If you want to replace PSHB infested trees on your property, consider one of our 28 <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Graphics%20and%20educational%20material/Recommended-Trees-List.pdf" target="_blank">recommended trees</a>. Planting an indigenous tree or non-invasive exotic tree, suitable to our climate and the specific site, will assist in mitigating the impact of the beetle on Cape Town’s urban forest.</p><p>The City's list of recommended trees includes indigenous and mostly locally indigenous species, that are not reproductive host trees, meaning that the PSHB has not been sighted in these trees. </p> <span><figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"><img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Inline%20Images/tree-list.jpg" alt="" /></figure></span> <p>Access the resources below for more information about the beetle threat and what you can do to help:<br></p><div class="content-accordion"><div class="content-trigger contentTrigger"><h3>Resources<i class="icon button-down-arrow"></i></h3><div class="content-toggle contentToggle" style="display:none;"><p> <strong>Documents</strong></p><ul><li> <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Forms%2c%20notices%2c%20tariffs%20and%20lists/Borer_Beetle_Threat_Advert.pdf" target="_blank">Borer Beetle Threat Advert</a> (1.01 MB)<br></li><li> <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Forms%2c%20notices%2c%20tariffs%20and%20lists/Trained_PSHB_Contractors_List.pdf" target="_blank">Contractors for PSHB Beetle management</a><br></li><li> <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Graphics%20and%20educational%20material/Shot_Hole_Borer_Information_Booklet.pdf" target="_blank">How to Protect Cape Town’s Trees against the Beetle</a> (7.27 MB) </li><li> <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Forms%2c%20notices%2c%20tariffs%20and%20lists/Recommended_Plant_Species_List.pdf" target="_blank">Recommended Plant Species to Replace PSHB Infested Trees</a><br></li><li> <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Graphics%20and%20educational%20material/Recommended-Trees-List.pdf" target="_blank">Recommended Trees Poster</a><br></li></ul><p> <strong>Useful links</strong></p><ul><li> <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/departments-city-initiatives/environmental-resource-management/green-infrastructure-programme" target="_blank">Green Infrastructure Programme</a><br></li></ul><p> <strong>Videos</strong></p><ul><li> <a href="https://youtu.be/Os0l_zYkYqA" target="_blank">How to identify trees infested by the borer beetle pest<span class="icon link-external"></span></a><br></li><li> <a href="https://youtu.be/LabL5MJ-lk0" target="_blank">PSHB Beetle Community Meeting<span class="icon link-external"></span></a><br></li></ul></div></div></div><h2 class="sectHeading">Contact us</h2><p>If you have any queries, questions or you would like more information about the Invasive Species Programme, please contact our representatives: </p><p> <em>Telephone: <br><a>021 444 2357</a></em></p><h4>Mfundo Tafeni: Head-Invasive Species </h4><p> <em>Email:<br><a href="mailto:mfundo.tafeni@capetown.gov.za">mfundo.tafeni@capetown.gov.za</a></em></p><p>Or</p><h4>Mashudu Phalanndwa: Head-Green Jobs</h4><p> <em>Email:<br><a href="mailto:mashudu.phalanndwa@capetown.gov.za">mashudu.phalanndwa@capetown.gov.za</a> </em></p>

Participate in our invasive species projects by learning how to spot invasive alien species.

Invasive Species Programme Booklet	391446	GP0\|#5702b03d-251a-4a3f-8243-b5b3f7bb764a;L0\|#05702b03d-251a-4a3f-8243-b5b3f7bb764a\|Booklet;GTSet\|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP\|#5340fe0b-73a7-472c-bef7-04e450fb5c4f;GPP\|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e	2016-11-29T22:00:00Z
Invasive Species Programme: Invasive Animals Identikit	453205	GP0\|#63522a5c-a6fd-40ae-a313-2b363ab1ec33;L0\|#063522a5c-a6fd-40ae-a313-2b363ab1ec33\|Guideline;GTSet\|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP\|#d8892104-ce90-493e-b813-93c488f4b1d3;GPP\|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e	2023-01-09T15:00:00Z
Invasive Species Programme: Invasive Insect Identikit	910239	GP0\|#63522a5c-a6fd-40ae-a313-2b363ab1ec33;L0\|#063522a5c-a6fd-40ae-a313-2b363ab1ec33\|Guideline;GTSet\|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP\|#d8892104-ce90-493e-b813-93c488f4b1d3;GPP\|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e	2022-11-18T10:00:00Z
Invasive Species Programme: Invasive Plants Identikit	2794983	GP0\|#63522a5c-a6fd-40ae-a313-2b363ab1ec33;L0\|#063522a5c-a6fd-40ae-a313-2b363ab1ec33\|Guideline;GTSet\|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP\|#d8892104-ce90-493e-b813-93c488f4b1d3;GPP\|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e	2022-11-18T10:00:00Z
Polyphagous Shot Hole Borer (PSHB) Beetle Management: Trained Contractors List	112684	GP0\|#af8a3963-d9e4-485f-ac84-7f8e7d3eff34;L0\|#0af8a3963-d9e4-485f-ac84-7f8e7d3eff34\|List;GTSet\|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP\|#3a03f9b9-d2e9-49b1-92e1-37b654747f82;GPP\|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e	2023-10-19T22:00:00Z
Recommended Plant Species List 2023	542101	GP0\|#af8a3963-d9e4-485f-ac84-7f8e7d3eff34;L0\|#0af8a3963-d9e4-485f-ac84-7f8e7d3eff34\|List;GTSet\|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP\|#3a03f9b9-d2e9-49b1-92e1-37b654747f82;GPP\|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e	2023-03-28T22:00:00Z
Shot Hole Borer Beetle Information Booklet	7595281	GP0\|#5702b03d-251a-4a3f-8243-b5b3f7bb764a;L0\|#05702b03d-251a-4a3f-8243-b5b3f7bb764a\|Booklet;GTSet\|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP\|#5340fe0b-73a7-472c-bef7-04e450fb5c4f;GPP\|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e	2023-02-20T22:00:00Z
Shot Hole Borer Beetle Threat Advert	1059901	GP0\|#b39aa4d3-1787-4951-998c-d507fece4547;L0\|#0b39aa4d3-1787-4951-998c-d507fece4547\|Advert;GTSet\|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP\|#3a03f9b9-d2e9-49b1-92e1-37b654747f82;GPP\|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e	2023-02-20T22:00:00Z