The pest control programme in 2013 followed a different format than previous years, with the use of Feratox® (cyanide) strikers to target wallabies as well as possums, instead of Feratox® capsulated pellets in the bait stations with the Pin-done pellets. This was done as a trial but unfortunately the results were disap-pointing. It appears that the possums ate much of the Pindone, but not enough to be lethal, and consequently the rats did not get enough to be lethal either. The strikers, which were put out after most of the Pindone had gone, were treated as toys by the rats which are cunning enough to destroy the strikers but not eat the Feratox® capsule in the potato starch. We did find a total of 13 wallabies and 37 possums by the striker stations.
The post baiting monitoring recorded a Rat Tracking Index of 42% and Waxtag Bite Index of 41% for marsupials, equivalent to 10% with the previous used Residual Trap Catch method.
At the recent meeting between Department of Conservation, Bay of Plenty Regional Council, and Tikitapu Forest and Bird Care Group it was unanimously agreed to bait this year. It had been hoped to reduce baiting to alternate years, but with the disappointing results last year, and the expected mast year this year, we will bait again. At this stage the programme has not been finalised but I expect we will start with the line trimming in May or June.
The bait stations have been cleared of the remaining bait and the striker remnants removed. However it is still important to observe the precautions on the next page.
The bird counts were repeated in November and the data will be compiled shortly. Many thanks to all the volunteers who helped with this project in 2013 and we hope to see you back again this year.
New volunteers are always welcome and if you are interested and would like further information, please contact me.
Frances Blakely—phone 362 8480 or email: [email protected]
The post baiting monitoring recorded a Rat Tracking Index of 42% and Waxtag Bite Index of 41% for marsupials, equivalent to 10% with the previous used Residual Trap Catch method.
At the recent meeting between Department of Conservation, Bay of Plenty Regional Council, and Tikitapu Forest and Bird Care Group it was unanimously agreed to bait this year. It had been hoped to reduce baiting to alternate years, but with the disappointing results last year, and the expected mast year this year, we will bait again. At this stage the programme has not been finalised but I expect we will start with the line trimming in May or June.
The bait stations have been cleared of the remaining bait and the striker remnants removed. However it is still important to observe the precautions on the next page.
The bird counts were repeated in November and the data will be compiled shortly. Many thanks to all the volunteers who helped with this project in 2013 and we hope to see you back again this year.
New volunteers are always welcome and if you are interested and would like further information, please contact me.
Frances Blakely—phone 362 8480 or email: [email protected]
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