Predators - possums, rats, mice, hedgehogs, stoats, and ferrets

The number of pests in the valley is a challenge. Everything from rats, mice, stoats, ferrets and possums as well as hedgehogs - with rats being the main problem. The stream provides a runway for rats to move right in from the Green Island refuse dump. Most valley property owners will tell you the rats are prolific and will take over any building in the valley, given half a chance. 

What makes an animal a pest species?

Pest species are introduced animals (or plants or insects) that cause significant damage to our native New Zealand ecosystems. Many of these species cause no problems in their own environment, but in New Zealand they may have no natural predators, a different food supply, and different climate conditions, causing their behaviours to become an issue here.

Rats, mice, stoats, ferrets and hedgehogs are all known to eat eggs and baby birds in New Zealand, while possums are devastating to our native trees.

Why use traps for pests?

For much of Kaikorai Valley, trapping is a better way of dealing with pests than poison. When you use a trap you don't have to worry about secondary poisoning of the stream, or whether your cat will get sick after eating a poisoned rodent. Modern traps are targetted, reliable, and safe for non-target species. Some of them, like the Goodnature traps, even automatically re-set themselves once sprung, so you don't have to check them quite so often.

By trapping pest species in Kaikorai Valley, we are supporting the wellbeing of our birdlife, and helping our plant species to flourish.

AKV would work with the community to foster a trapping network that can dovetail into some of the great work being done in existing groups such as the Halo project, Chain Hills (Chirp), City Sanctuary, Frasers Gully, Open VUE, and others.

To find out what AKV are doing about pests, get in touch.

Eight trapping tips 

1.      Never use meat in traps in Kaikorai Valley. This is to protect cats.

2.      Mix up baits. For rat traps, try peanut butter, Nutella, grains, cheese, or dried fruit. For possum traps, try Ferrafeed or fresh apple, corn, cinnamon

3.      Always wear gloves. Please protect yourselves from diseases, like Tb. Rats carry dozens of diseases. Wearing gloves also prevents human scent getting on the traps.

4.      Don't put out seed for the birds. Our native birds don't eat seeds, it's only the introduced birds that do, and these birds can bring diseases to the native birds). Seeds attract rats and other predators. Can put out a bird bath or a sugar water feeder but only if you’re prepared to clean it. Avian influenza and aspergillosis pose a threat.

5.      Follow other predator free pages on social media or subscribe to their newsletters. It's great for the mental health too! (give some examples, eg Predator Free NZ, Predator Free Dunedin, New Zealand Bird Identification, Plant Identification New Zealand / Aotearoa, Wild Dunedin (New Zealand Festival of Nature))

6.      If you're not catching much, hang in there. It's common to have dry spells in trapping, and then a new family of predators can move in. Be in it for the long game.

7.      Put out chew cards. These can help determine what predators are around. Also trail cameras are a fun toy, show better information, but are expensive.

8.      Ask questions! We're here to help.