RURAL INFRASTRUCTURE
Safe and effective predator control Rodents including the Norway rat, the roof rat and house mice are common pests that infest properties and threaten public health. They can damage and destroy critical habitats, native plants, animals, crops, property and food supplies. It is also estimated 25 million native birds are lost to predators every year, so it is critical we take on the challenge to save our birds and native fauna so that future generations will hear the song of our native birds. Estimates of total rat populations vary depending on climatic and seasonal conditions, but because rats reach sexual maturity after 9 weeks a population can swell from two rats to around 1,250 in just a year.
promoting more humane traps. Two
access for daily checking of traps. Baits
traps that meet National Animal Welfare
like Pindone Possum and Rat are also a
While many see rodents as one of the main predators, possums are also capable of inflicting severe damage to bird life. Possums are considered to be mainly herbivores, however fixed camera footage has shown possums preying on both eggs and fledglings. Possums are a serious pest animal in New Zealand with their numbers estimated to be around 30 million.
Advisory Committee (NAWAC) standards
very effective method of predator control
are the Trapper T Rex and Victor
but like traps, they must always be placed
Professional with shroud (which is also
in a bait station like the Pied Piper bait
good for stoats). These are best placed
station or Philproof possum station to
in a tunnel to protect the trap from
protect the public and non-target species
non-target species and to direct the
and ensure only rodents or possums
rodent headfirst into the trap.
consume the bait.
Traps are easy to use and can be used in
Baits provide the ability to cover a large
both rural and urban environments. Being
land area at small cost and require
relatively inexpensive, a number can be
significantly less manpower to monitor
Rodents and possums are not restricted to rural areas and many of our towns and cities have high populations of both. Community groups are starting to have good success in controlling predator numbers and their success stories are found in the numbers of native bird species that are thriving in rodentcontrolled areas.
placed as a protective barrier to protect
than traps, it is always important to follow
buildings, fruit trees, native bush or areas
the label for best results.
susceptible to rodent or possum activity.
Occasionally bait and trap-resistant rats
Trapping in an urban setting can be
can become an issue, a good solution
effective with just one trap per property, if
here can be a NoPests live rat cage
enough of the community is involved. In a
which provides a level of security to trap
larger rural setting, it is important to have
shy rodents.
Public pressure for more humane pest control tools is increasing and means Government agencies, resellers and manufacturers wish to be seen to be
to gain effective control. In difficult terrain,
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traps in lines with 50m spacings between traps to ensure adequate trap numbers it is best to set lines down ridges and spurs and along contours to achieve the necessary spacing and provide adequate
Farmlands Co-operative Society Limited | © April 2021. All rights reserved.
For further information, contact your Farmlands Technical Field Officer or the friendly team at your local Farmlands store. Article supplied by Key Industries
THE FARMLANDER | 55
