Environment – Are you harbouring fugitives?

As many of you will have discovered, the winter months are prime season for rats coming closer to our homes in search of food and warmth. I recently visited Predator Free Wellington, and the Miramar Peninsula, which is now rat-free. It’s quite something the difference you can see in these suburban communities. Can you imagine never having to deal with rats again, and enjoying the sound of 200 per cent more tūī, 400 per cent more fantails, and the endless antics of the kākā?

A key finding in Miramar was the value of identifying “micro-habitats” for rats, and chances are you have one near you. They increase their breeding success and decrease the likelihood of rodents entering those risky traps. They are the perfect refuge for rats, and include pest plants like pampas (the worst), banana passionfruit and cape ivy. Getting rid of these will make a real difference, Restore Hibiscus & Bays have tools and weed gels you can borrow. Other places to watch out for include near chicken coops or seed feeders, unsealed compost and piles of old wood behind the shed.

As rats haven’t been eliminated from our area, Coasties would be wise to be setting rat traps or using locked bait stations at least until summer comes around to get ahead of rapid breeding. Thanks to huge volunteer and staff efforts, the Pest Free Hibiscus Coast Project removes as many as 50,000 each year through a combination of trapping and baiting on public land and large private blocks – but more needs to be done.

A common myth that can put people off pest control is that rats chew on pipes because they are thirsty after consuming poison. In fact, they do so because their teeth are continually growing so having a good chew is like a trip to the dentist. Modern “second generation” anti-coagulant toxins do not cause a significant increase in thirst that would cause a rat to seek water in different places to usual. However, it is vital that if you are going to use toxins that you do so safely and correctly, to avoid harm to other species or the risk of causing bait shyness due to an insufficient dose, or a negative reaction to mouldy bait.

I’d also like to draw your attention to Forest & Bird’s Future of Conservation Hui on Saturday August 15 in Auckland. Learn from experts about what’s at stake, and what political candidates plan to do about it should they get elected. See you there!