Good Guys stores close after biosecurity risk found

Good Guys Fyshwick has been temporarily closed due to a biosecurity risk. Picture: Elesa Kurtz

The Good Guys' stores in Fyshwick and Belconnen have been temporarily closed after parts of an exotic beetle were found in a shipment of fridges.

The stores were hit with a biosecurity control order by the federal Agriculture Department after traces of a Khapra beetle were found in a shipment that was sent to the Fyshwick store on Tuesday.

Traces of the same exotic beetle were also found in a shipment after it was sent to the Belconnen store.

The closure is not related to coronavirus.

A Good Guys spokesman said both stores will be temporarily closed while assessments are carried out.

The spokesman said the store was co-operating with the federal department.

All calls to the stores have been redirected while further testing and assessing of the premises for traces of the beetle are undertaken

The department said it was managing and investigating several beetle interceptions in recently imported cargo and containers.

"Australia maintains a pest-free status for Khapra beetle, a serious pest of stored grain and dried food products," a department spokesman said.

"The recent interceptions occurred in imported non-food goods, such as refrigerators, car parts, nuts and bolts, as well as empty containers and high-risk food goods such as spices and flour."

Builder Ammar Kattouah was picking up kitchen appliances at Good Guys Fyshwick when he saw it was closed due to a biosecurity risk. Picture: Elesa Kurtz

It is thought the beetle species can hitchhike in containers that previously carried high-risk items.

Goods associated with the affected shipments are being traced to eliminate any biosecurity risk.

The beetles can grow up to seven millimetres long and are golden brown with distinctive hair.

They are found in countries in Asia, Africa, Europe and the Middle East.

"They can be found in stored products and around places where stored products are kept or transported. This includes between cracks and wall linings of storage containers," the department spokesman said.

"The department is analysing global trade patterns to gain a better understanding as to why these interceptions are taking place, and how non-food goods can become infested."

It is not known when stores will reopen to the public.