Selwyn Times: February 01, 2023

Selwyn Times Wednesday February 1 2023
8
NEWS
EARLY DATA has revealed
the new trap library launched
by Ellesmere Sustainable
Agriculture Inc is already
making a dent in the local pest
population.
The trap library is part of
ESAI’s Tinaku project. In the
first three months, it has already
removed 83 rats, 36 possums,
24 hedgehogs, a weasel, a stoat
and some mice from Ellesmere
farms.
The automatic AT220 traps
have proven to be hugely
effective, with one single trap
removing 15 possums from Ian
Lochhead’s farm.
Lochhead says the trap has
been working well in three
different locations on his
property.
“The trap is
easy to use and
the app keeps
track of the
number of kills,
it’s been very
effective so far.”
Jo Fearn
Project
Tinaku trap
library coordinator
Jo Fearn says the traps
have been so successful they have
extended the loan period for a
few more months.
“They are obviously working
well. We still have traps in stock
and ready to be put out, so if you
are keen to give them a go, get in
touch with us,” says Fearn.
Currently, 83 traps are on
loan with farmers across the
Ellesmere area, with some
guidance from Tinaku’s Tom
Hilston, who has set many of the
traps and checks them regularly.
Hilston is also heavily involved
Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz
Trap library effective in getting rid of pests
CHECK IT OUT: The new trap library, launched by Ellesmere Sustainable Agriculture Inc,
has already reduced the number of pests on farms after three months.
in planting projects alongside
local lowland waterways, so
has focused his traps around
those restoration sites to protect
wildlife and plants in those key
areas.
He has been using an
irresistible combination of dried
rabbit, peanut butter and eggs
to attract the pests, as well as
specialised possum bait and
visual flour/cinnamon mix to
entice the possums.
Fearn says the library is also
grateful for the support from
experienced trapper Dave Tilson,
who is well known in the district
for his pest control efforts.
Tilson has traps out around
his property, as well as five
neighbouring farms.
The ESAI trap library launched
in September last year with a
workshop and information day.
ESAI partnered with Pest
Free Banks Peninsula to raise
awareness of pest problems
in the area and to try and
encourage local farmers to get
on board with pest control. ESAI
and PFBP hope to offer another
pest trapping workshop in the
Ellesmere area in the coming
months.
PFBP aims to create a pest-free
buffer around the Taumutu area
to minimise pests moving along
Kaitoreti Spit to reinfest Banks
Peninsula.
The trap library includes
DOC250 traps, designed to kill
a range of predators from rats
to ferrets, Trapinators to target
possums and the new AT220s,
which are automated traps for
possums, rats and mice.
• Any farmer who wants
to reduce pest species in
and around the Leeston
area by placing traps, can
email jo.tinaku@esai.co.nz or
call 0210 304 783 for more
information. Advice and a
safety demonstration will
be provided for anyone
wanting to borrow traps.
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