Is your trapping working?
By now you’ve probably heard of the benefits of backyard trapping and why it’s so important, but how do you know if your own trapping efforts are actually paying off? Here are a few things to keep an eye out for to see if your trapping is working.
Increased biodiversity
A big thing you’ll notice once you start eradicating pests from your backyard is an increase in biodiversity, meaning a greater variety of flora and fauna. Things like an increase in bugs and native lizards are all good signs.
Return of birdlife
Did you know that every night New Zealand loses approximately 68,000 native birds to introduced predators like possums, rats and mustelids? While this is a shocking number, a return of native birds is a good indication that your trapping efforts are paying off.
One way of measuring the return of birdlife to your backyard is through a method called 5 Minute Bird Count (5MBC). This involves remaining completely still for a period of five minutes, and recording any birds you see or hear. Keep a log of what you notice, and refer back to it throughout your trapping journey to see if it’s increasing. Consider organising your bird counts to align with the New Zealand Garden Bird Survey which happens annually in June!
Struggling to notice a difference?
If you haven’t noticed either of the above signs, don’t be discouraged, nature can take time to recover. Be patient and keep at it, effective pest control is all about long-term consistency. You’ve got this!
