Kiwi Cattle Yards
  • Home
  • About
    • Why choose us?
    • FAQS
    • Free Yard Designs
    • Free Delivery
  • Products
    • Headbails >
      • Standard Headbail
      • Heavy Duty Headbail
      • Boss Headbail
    • Yard Packages >
      • Lifestyle Series Cattle Yards
      • Beef Series Cattle Yards
      • Horse Yards
    • Loading Ramps >
      • Beef Series Loading Ramp
      • Lifestyle Series Loading Ramp
      • Adjustable Loading Ramp
      • Calf Loading Ramp
      • Loading Ramp Transport Kit
      • Loading Ramp Catwalk
    • Gates >
      • Cattle Yard Gates
    • Crushes >
      • Master Crush
      • Cadet Crush
      • Multihandler
    • Slam Latches >
      • 20mm Slam Latch
      • 25mm Slam Latch
    • Grooming Chute
    • Anti-Backing Ratchets
  • Blog
  • Contact

Possum control on your farm

13/6/2013

2 Comments

 
Picture
If you live in a rural area you have probably been woken at night by the screech and grunts of the possum.  


While it’s protected in Australia, the possum is nothing but a darn right nuisance in New Zealand (in my humble opinion!). Collectively the NZ possum population, estimated at around 30 million, munches it’s way through 9000 tonnes of leaves and berries every night.  But they don’t only destroy the native bush, they also can carry tuberculosis which can be passed to cattle and deer.  

This is the main issue with the possum as a tb outbreak in livestock could devastate agriculture in this country.  

Regional Councils along with DOC have possum control programs that include trapping, poisoning, and the controversial 1080 drops.  The majority of this pest control in on public land and some larger private blocks.  

You can do your bit too controlling this pest on your land.

Here are a few ways to go about getting rid of these little buggers:

Shooting

Probably the most exciting way to go about getting rid of your possum problem.  A .22 calibre rifle and a decent spotlight is all you need.  Possums, being nocturnal become active about an hour or so after dark, if you are hunting around trees then taking a dog can be a good idea as they can hunt them out and put them up a tree for you to shoot.

Trapping

Kill- traps

Kill traps are a very effective way of controlling your possum population.  These are available at all farm supply stores, you can also purchase bait or use a slice of apple as bait.  Check your traps every day and keep the bait fresh.

Non lethal traps

There a two types of non lethal traps, the cage type and hold types.  Cage traps are suitable for use around populated areas where there is a chance of catching someone's cat,  you might even catch the odd hedgehog.

Hold traps hold the possums leg so the can’t get away. Not the most humane method of trapping but they are quick to set and an efficient way of catching big numbers. These traps are popular with trappers as the fur is easily plucked when the possum is still warm.  These traps definitely need to be checked every day.

Poisoning     

The most popular poisons for possums are cyanide and 1080.  Licences are required to use these as there are strict regulations around their use.  Most poison is used in bait stations as this keeps it dry and out of the reach of other animals.

You can pluck your possums fur and sell it, it is worth up to $120 a kg, which is 10-15 possums.  So I can be well worth plucking them if you have a decent number.

Good luck with your possuming


Euan



2 Comments
aucklandpestcontrolnz.kiwi link
29/10/2020 06:55:10 pm

If you can't stand controlling these little dudes you can reach out to pest control service near you. It takes guts and of course effort to have them controlled which is something not land owners or home owners can do. Well good luck!
- George

Reply
https://www.pestcontrolwestaucklandnz.kiwi/ link
3/11/2020 12:21:58 am

Possums look way cuter than rats are. Having them killed would hurt children's heart for sure. But it can't be helped specially when they cause you more trouble than cuteness.


Jeff

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    DIY advice for lifestylers, written by  Kiwi Cattle Yards owner, Euan Seymour. 

    Archives

    April 2017
    February 2017
    October 2015
    August 2015
    January 2015
    October 2014
    September 2014
    July 2014
    May 2014
    March 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    June 2012
    March 2012
    November 2011
    October 2011

    Categories

    All
    Animal Health
    Animal Health
    Buying
    Cattle
    Equipment
    Feed
    Feeding
    Firewood
    Headbail
    Pasture
    Pests
    Sheep
    Silage
    Trees
    Water
    Weather

    RSS Feed

Talk to us

​Ready to purchase a yard or want some more info on our cattle handling products? We deliver nationwide and now also ship to Australia. Contact us any time, we are happy to help. 
Contact us

Our Guarantee

​We offer a 30 day no questions asked, money back guarantee on all products purchased.  All our products are made in New Zealand and carry a two year replacement guarantee on workmanship. 
Sign up for our free newsletter here
Picture
Proudly made by the Kiwi Engineering Group
  • Home
  • About
    • Why choose us?
    • FAQS
    • Free Yard Designs
    • Free Delivery
  • Products
    • Headbails >
      • Standard Headbail
      • Heavy Duty Headbail
      • Boss Headbail
    • Yard Packages >
      • Lifestyle Series Cattle Yards
      • Beef Series Cattle Yards
      • Horse Yards
    • Loading Ramps >
      • Beef Series Loading Ramp
      • Lifestyle Series Loading Ramp
      • Adjustable Loading Ramp
      • Calf Loading Ramp
      • Loading Ramp Transport Kit
      • Loading Ramp Catwalk
    • Gates >
      • Cattle Yard Gates
    • Crushes >
      • Master Crush
      • Cadet Crush
      • Multihandler
    • Slam Latches >
      • 20mm Slam Latch
      • 25mm Slam Latch
    • Grooming Chute
    • Anti-Backing Ratchets
  • Blog
  • Contact