Historic Blog Post - April 28, 2023

Rat Control – Getting Ready for Winter

As the cooler weather arrives it can lead to rats looking for a warm place to live.

Rats can make their homes in many different habitats on the farm, property, city or countryside. Rats thrive where there is a source of food, water and shelter and are major pests in both urban and rural areas. Rats can impact on native flora and fauna, spread disease, damage crops and buildings and contaminate foodstuffs.

Kiorewas the first rat to arrive in NZ, brought by the first Polynesian settlers. The larger Norway rat followed, which escaped from Cook’s Endeavour in 1769, and these were soon followed by ship rat in the early 1800’s.

Ship rat is now the most widespread of the three rat species, out-competing the others. Kiore is only present now on some offshore islands. Norway rat is a good swimmer and usually associated with lakes, rivers, streams, wharves, sewers, and industrial sites.

All three species are mainly nocturnal and have significant impacts on native flora and fauna, in particular native birds, lizards, frogs and invertebrates. They also eat large quantities of native seeds, which have serious implications for native regeneration in natural areas.

Learn more the three Species and how to identify them HERE