Pest control in Mount Dandenong

Two-thirds national park

The town was settled in 1893, when the government laid out 10-acre farms for timber cutting. Today, on the planning maps, nearly two-thirds of Mount Dandenong is park, and almost all the rest is green wedge.

Possums are wildlife, and it is illegal to kill, trap or disturb wildlife without a permit. A brushtail possum may be trapped humanely, but it has to be let go on the same property, within 50 m of where it was caught. The lasting fix is closing the gap it uses. Possums in the roof goes through it.

Checked 25 October 2026 against Wikipedia: Mount Dandenong, Victoria, Vicmap Planning, the state's zone and overlay maps (DataVic), measured across the suburb, Victorian Government: Authorities to Control Wildlife 2025 and Victorian Government: brushtail possum management methods.

Rat bait on a forested mountain

The strongest rat and mouse poisons, the second-generation anticoagulants, were suspended for a year from 24 March 2026 and made restricted chemical products. Under the APVMA's instructions, loose throw packs may only go in tamper-resistant bait stations. BirdLife Australia found Powerful Owls and Southern Boobooks among dead birds carrying dangerous levels of these poisons. Rats and mice covers what still works.

Checked 25 October 2026 against APVMA: second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides to be restricted (March 2026), APVMA: anticoagulant rodenticides FAQs (19 March 2026) and BirdLife Australia: protect Aussie birds from SGAR rat poisons.

Deer and termites, up here as well

Deer have been reported across the ranges for about ten years, and Yarra Ranges runs a state-funded program against them. Its Deer Program Officer is on 1300 368 333.

The cold doesn't change the termite rule. Snow falls on the mountain a few times most years, but the whole shire is designated as an area where buildings are likely to be attacked by termites. New building work here has to be protected.

Checked 25 October 2026 against Wikipedia: Mount Dandenong, Victoria, Victorian Government: Peri-urban Deer Control Plan, Yarra Ranges Council: deer, Yarra Ranges Council: termites and Building Regulations 2018 (Vic), regs 150 and 151 (authorised version 031).

Down the mountain

Olinda, settled the same year, and Kalorama, which took over the post office in 1991

Yarra Ranges, with the same mix of park and green wedge.

Montrose

At the mountain's northern foot, still Yarra Ranges and still designated.

Further round the foothills, The Basin is in Knox, where an owner signs a termite statement before a building permit is issued.

Checked 25 October 2026 against Wikipedia: Mount Dandenong, Victoria, Yarra Ranges Council: termites and Knox City Council: termite statement checklist.