“We do predator control because we want to make Aotearoa a pest-free place - because pests are destroying our native wildlife. It would be amazing if Aotearoa was pest free! Pest control and trapping is easy and hard. If you know how to do it it’s easy, but the first time traps can be hard to set up. I was excited when we caught a possum! Go out and do it now!" Kimiora (age 9)

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“I have said it before – but since I have started this baiting program (2 years ago?) the increase in bird life around here is really noticeable! We have had 12 kererū fighting in the Guava trees behind the house (some great videos) – and we have issues with them crashing into the windows all the time.

Ruru are the other ‘pest’ – as they have learned how to operate the Security lights – so attract the Puriri moths for a late night snack. I could not work out why the lights were on all night….

We have also noticed a significant increase in Tui this year – buzzing around the house and attacking Myna birds – which is excellent!

Lots of Quail on the lawn – which means no Cats or Stoats. You know a new stray cat has moved in when the Quail stop squeaking outside our bedroom at first light.”

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“Since I started the baiting program, we have noticed significant improvements in the amount of small native trees appearing around the property. Totara grows like a weed around here, but of late we have found heaps of Puriri, Karaka, Rimu and Nikau coming through which we have not seen before – so great to see.”

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“We visited the ‘bait and trap’ day yesterday. Luke was so excited to put into practice all the helpful information he received. First was to set all the possum traps, then the rat & mousetraps. The most exciting was setting the stoat/ferret trap baited with a couple of eggs and the secret ingredient ‘eggsellent’ lure scent.

Unfortunately, no result with the rodent and possum trap but he was super excited about this monster rat he caught in his stoat/ferret live catch trap. No doubt he will trap a possum and those elusive stoats/ferrets soon... Luke’s birthday is coming up soon and has already been hinting that we have to get him a trail camera.”

Two days later, he caught his first ferret.