Kangaroos and Wallabies
Macropus spp.; Wallabia bicolor
Native macropods that graze leafy greens, seedlings and soft shoots in rural and peri-urban gardens. Protected species.
Not sure it is Kangaroos and Wallabies? Photograph it. Every member gets a free Plant Check, one answer for one photo. Pro includes 20 photo checks each month.
Identify from a photoBackground
Eastern grey kangaroos, red-necked wallabies, swamp wallabies and several other macropods are regular visitors to rural and peri-urban vegetable gardens in eastern and southern Australia. They are primarily grazers, hitting lettuce, silverbeet, cabbage, beans and young corn particularly hard. Kangaroos and wallabies are protected. Exclusion is the only legal control for home gardeners.
How to identify
- Damage: leafy greens and young crops grazed to the ground, shoots bitten cleanly
- Tracks: paired rear-foot tracks, 200-300mm long
- Large rounded droppings. Kangaroo pellets 20-30mm, wallaby 15-20mm
- Direct observation dawn and dusk
Life cycle
Not applicable to home management.
Weather triggers
- Temperature: -5-40°C
- Year-round pressure, worst during drought when wild feed is limited.
Peak season (southern hemisphere)
Red = active season · Dark red outlined = this month
Affected vegetables & crops
Click any crop to see current prices and growing info.
Climate zones at risk
Organic & low-impact control
- Exclusion fencing, 1.8m high for kangaroos, 1.5m for wallabies, with mesh small enough to stop them pushing through
- Electric fence with two wires at 30cm and 60cm can reinforce a perimeter
- Individual cage covers over priority beds
Chemical control
- Not applicable. Protected species
Always read product labels. Registrations change.
Prevention
- Plan vegetable patches inside a well-fenced yard
- Close gates at dusk
- Use dogs as daytime deterrents where suitable
Companion planting
Strongly aromatic herbs around the perimeter (rosemary, lavender, sage) may reduce browsing pressure but will not stop a hungry kangaroo.
Biosecurity
Protected native wildlife. Management requires appropriate permits in most states.
Sources
- NSW Department of Planning and Environment, Kangaroos and wallabies
- Queensland Department of Environment, Kangaroos
- Agriculture Victoria, Wildlife and crops
Accuracy confidence: medium. We update this library as new extension guidance is published.
Know when Kangaroos and Wallabies is actually about
The calendar above is the season. It cannot tell you what is happening in your street this week. Get the free weekly email, or see live pressure for your own postcode on Pro.
The free weekly garden email
One email a week: what to plant, what to harvest, and what to watch for in your climate zone. Free, and you can stop it in one click.
Live pest pressure, for your postcode
The season tells you it is possible. This tells you it is happening.
- Risk scored for your own postcode, next 7 days
- Queensland fruit fly tracking
- GardenBuddy.au Check: photograph it, get it identified, 20 photo checks each month
- Weekly Pest Alert matched to your zone, season and crops
$59 a year or $7.99 a month. Every paid plan starts with a 30 day free trial. Cancel any time.
Just this one problem? Every member gets a free Plant Check, one photo, one answer.