What tickles the pests’ tastebuds???

New research on lures for rats and possums has shown that their favourite is not the traditional peanut butter or cinnamon…. Rats actually prefer cheese, milk chocolate, Nutella and walnuts while possums prefer apricot and almond.

The driver for rats is energy giving foods, especially with high fat. Possums on the other hand are looking for protein.

NOTE: Be aware that native birds like kaka and kea also enjoy apricots and almonds but cinnamon is a deterrent to them so may be a safer option.

 

Read the full article at http://predatorfreenz.org/better-baits-and-better-trapping/

Dylan spreads the word about trapping…

Ahuroa school student Dylan Hunt was so keen on the CatchIT Schools project that he decided to make it his mission to tell other children.

He spent the day at Red Beach School going round the classes explaining about pests, the effect on native species and what he was doing about it. Go Dylan!

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Kayla’s photo is a winner!

Kayla from Matakana School took part in the CatchIT Schools programme last term – and her Mum got this photo of her successful catches. Wow two stoats! In fact one was caught and then used as bait to lure the second one in, using her DOC 200 trap.

This photo was then entered in the Predator Free NZ national competition – and won! Well done Kayla!