Tanners Point Pest Free Peninsula Group adds rat traps

Graeme Taylor putting the final touches to 24 rat trap boxes he made for the Tanners Point Pest Free Peninsula Project.

The Tanners Point Pest Free Peninsula Group is adding rat traps to their portfolio of pest eradication tools.

Graeme Taylor stepped up when asked to manufacture 24 trap boxes. Materials were donated by locals and Baker Timber. They have a dozen rat traps purchased from their Pest Project Fund and another dozen supplied by Bay of Plenty Regional Council.

The group says deploying traps around residents' homes where they can be easily serviced makes good sense, saving rat bait for more remote areas. The traps have a flag on a cord that indicates when the trap has been set off. This will make checking simpler and minimise handling and human scent around the traps, says group coordinator Heather Wills.

The project began in January 2003 with an Environment Enhancement Grant from Environment BOP as it was known then. Funds were used to purchase mustelid and possum traps, as well as 150 rat bait stations and buckets of bait. A pest plant eradication and revegetation programme was also funded.

The aim of the project is to provide a safe feeding and breeding ground for NZ land and shore birds.

"Since then we have made another 200 or more rat bait stations, developed tracks, built boardwalks, seating and a wonderful picnic table.

The track creation allows easier access to working areas for our volunteers and provides pleasant pathways for public enjoyment,"says Heather. More areas are to be developed when funds and volunteer time permit. Nesting birds and their chicks need protection from rat predation, as they are very vulnerable at nesting time.

"Hence the importance of good predator control to retain and increase our native bird population cannot be overstressed." To find out more contact Heather Wills on 549-1389.