Rodent Control

There are now 8 lines cutting through the 40ha Puketoki Reserve. Community volunteers have been baiting the reserve fortnightly since 02/11/06. They had a total of 39 bait stations spread over the previous 6 lines and were using Ditrac as the rodent poison. A lot of station interference was occurring and it was concluded possums were responsible. Unfortunately rodent bait was unlikely to have any ill effects on the possums.
As of 02/08/07 a new pest control regime was introduced to the reserve. Puketoki volunteers, with assistance from Connovation Ltd and Wild About New Zealand, began possum trapping along the 6 lines. Simultaneously a new rodent control programme was begun.
Two types of bait station and bait were being used at Puketoki, 35 tube tunnels (using Ditrac) and 28 “Feeture” bait stations containing Rat Abate.

Rodent control measures have been more successful after possum trapping was initiated, reducing % bait interference abruptly. The amount of bait eaten on all lines decreased over time, as rodent numbers declined. A substantial decrease in rodent tracking numbers confirmed the effectiveness of the rodent control campaign.

Early 2008 saw the creation of 2 more lines in the reserve. These were placed at the western and eastern ends of the site, expanding the trapping and baiting to the perimeter.

15 tracking tunnels were placed in central locations within the reserve which all lines crossed. This would allow maximum area coverage and provide accurate rodent population recording. The tracking was begun 02/08/07, 6 days before the initial six lines were baited with poison.
Rat numbers have fallen significantly from an initial 81% of tracking tunnels recording rat presence, down to 0% rats as of 19/10/07. It can be concluded that the poison baiting is proving to be effective on rodent numbers.
The mice population has also been affected by the control scheme. Numbers remained unsteady with 37% at the beginning of the trial, to 31% after 6 weeks and 60% in May 2009.

April 2008 saw an additional monitoring run occur (see below). O% rats were recorded, 26% mice and an amazing 60% weta. This indicates a healthy terrestrial invertebrate community allowed to flourish because of reduced predation. The lack of rats is great news for insect and bird life as rats , particularly the ship rat, is considered the major threat - more than possums. Mice presence has increased from the previous monitoring run 6 months before, from 6% to 26%. They are however not considered as a major pest as they will only consume smaller insects and seeds.