Pest control supplies from Whakaupoko

Whakaupoko Landcare is offering landowners free pest control supplies at its event this weekend.

On Saturday, from 10am-12pm, landowners who are interested in enhancing biodiversity and pest control are invited to come along to Wallace and Hayley Fulton’s shed on 746 Waiuku Rd. There will be pest control supplies available for free. As well as supply of materials, people will be on hand to discuss and help with your pest control plans.

Since its establishment 15 years ago, Whakaupoko Landcare has continued to grow. As well as pest control there has been a focus on monitoring. Bird survey results confirm that where bait stations are replenished four to five times a year, tui, kereru and bat numbers can be maintained at high levels.

Landcare group member Andrew Sinclair said the bird-and-chew card surveys confirm that where pest control is less frequent, rat population tends to increase - now is a key time to think about control as rats and mice start moving indoors to houses and sheds.

Whakaupoko Landcare will be repeating these days four times a year as the area gears up to be predator-free on private land. It is able to help the community over the next three years thanks to a boost in funding from Auckland Council via a regional environment grant.

Sinclair said: ‘‘This has given us a real boost in what we can achieve with help with materials and, for the first time, some help with coordination funding. Our intention is to support landowners with pest control materials and education as we move towards a predator free environment.

‘‘To make a difference there needs to be more support for this type of community funding and Whakaupoko Landcare to encourage everyone to feed back on the Auckland Council’s long term plan. Support the higher funding targeted rate for the environment - option B’’.