2021
Twiggy possum den revealed
30 June 2021
During the day, possums sleep off their night-time foraging in out-of-the-way dens.
This new photograph sent by Anthea, from Taupo, illustrates one type of place where possum dens might be found - in trees, well above ground.
Junior Pest Detectives
14 June 2021
Did you know we have a Kids' Activities page on Pest Detective?
There are currently two activity sheets and three posters. The 'Wanted! Pesky Pests' poster shows a line-up of all 30 pest animal species featured on our Culprits page.
The other two posters show drawings of the footprints that pests with paws make and footprints made by bird pests.
Baby animal sign
12 April 2021
The small size of baby animal sign can be misleading, as in a recent case of mystery droppings.
Jeff Mason, of Wellington, noticed two groups of small droppings in his garage but could find no sign of either an animal or insect. He contacted Pest Detective asking for help to identify what he described as “1-2 mm ball bearing-shaped black droppings.”
Rat or frog dropping?
8 March 2021
This summer, biosecurity staff on pest-free Ahuahu-Great Mercury Island (GMI) were alarmed to find a dropping that looked suspiciously like that of a Norway rat. Worryingly, three more were found in the following month.
Yet, further investigation failed to confirm that a rat had invaded. If not a rat, then what could it be?
‘Honkers’ are easy to detect
29 January 2021
Canada geese are one of the more detectable pest animals in New Zealand.
Even when out of sight, their honking call is distinctive.
The birds themselves are a common sight in many parts of the country, as they feed during daylight in open areas. In comparison, many of our other pest species are much less visible, being nocturnal, well camouflaged and/or secretive in their behaviour.
Canada geese are easily recognised for their large size. Adults measure 850 to 950 mm in beak-to-tail length.