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President’s Pen – Steve Hunn Hi to all members,

This time around, I thought I’d pen a few comments in regards the last council meeting, what was discussed, achieved and ultimately where you as members can have direct input into your association. Comments and queries have been received in regards the requirement for a current First Aid certificate when renewing or applying for full membership. This was a throwback to the previous NCUPM qualification where a current certificate was required. This is not required for the NZCPO L3 qualification but is to be determined by industry and/or individual companies. Therefore, council has agreed that the first aid requirement be removed as a condition of membership and is effective for all future renewals and applications. The length of free trainee membership has been extended from 12 to 24 months to allow time for trainees to complete the level 3 qualification. Upon completion the free membership will expire and the member is required to apply for full membership should they wish to remain a part of PMANZ. Also, council is aware of comments/feedback in regards the technical content of the L3 reference material and questions within the workbooks. This is being formally addressed through PMANZ to Pacific International and I will keep you updated as amendments are made. Should you continue to have issues or wish to have your feedback voiced through PMANZ, do not hesitate to contact a council member or the secretary to ensure that these comments are recorded. The constitution is still under amendment and is likely to be under legal consideration and not ratified before the next AGM. Once the review is finished, the new proposed constitution will be sent to all members for consultation. Any changes to the constitution must be passed by members before being implemented. Continued on page 2

Bi-Monthly Newsletter June 2016 Volume 9 No. 3

P M A N Z PO Box 133215 Eastridge Auckland 1146 New Zealand Free phone: 0800 476 269 (0800 4PMANZ) Email: info@pmanz.nz Website: www.pmanz.nz

PRESIDENT Steve Hunn steve.hunn@nzdf.mil.nz VICE-PRESIDENT Sandra Charlton sandra@pestawaynz.com COUNCIL MEMBERS Peter Barry peter@pestconsultancy.co.nz Shane Byrne-King shane.byrne-king@ecolab.com Mike Collins mike@ajetservices.co.nz Mike Hermansson kwikill@paradise.net.nz Bill Paynter bill.paynter@rentokil-initial.com Rowan Washer rowan.washer@gmail.com IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT Campbell Perrin campbell@keyindustries.co.nz TREASURER Bill Wills billw@clear.net.nz EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Denise Faulkner / Jo Wright info@pmanz.nz

Journal of the Pest

Management Association of New Zealand

WHAT’S BUZZING?

IN THIS ISSUE President’s Pen 1 From the Editor 3 Drains and Flies 5 Killing Rats - New Method 11 Phosphine Resistance 13 News Bites 14 New Zealand News 15 New Wasp 15 Elusive Rat Eater 18 War against Rodents 19 Mouse Project 21 Technical Hints 24

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Following the Health & Safety Workshops, PMANZ has approved the development of a Health and Safety Management System Toolbox; this will be free for members to request from the secretariat and download electronically from June. If members which to acquire hardcopies and have them personalised to their business, then the member will have to pay the associated costs through Pest Management Consultancy Limited. Further details are explained within the PMC advertisement. That’s all for now, and as a final reminder, if you have items for the AGM general business or for discussion, ensure that these are notified to the secretary. Items will not be tabled unless they are notified on the agenda. Cheers Best wishes

Steve

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From the Editor – Peter Barry

The Health and Safety Management System mentioned by our president Steve Hunn, comprises four folders; Policy and Procedures, Hazard Register, Emergency Procedures and Response Plan, and Supporting Documentation and Forms The system is based on the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015.

This Health and Safety Manual has been developed for the Pest Management Association of New Zealand, and is provided to its members to support their health and safety initiatives in striving for a more professional pest management industry in New Zealand. The manual is also aligned with ACC Workplace Safety Management Practices’; WorkSafe Guidelines; the Association’s own Good Practices Guides, Job Safety Analysis and Safe Work Method Statements, and Health and Safety Guides in the Urban Pest Management Industry. The policies and procedures specified in this manual may be accepted as satisfying our members mandatory duties under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, however, please note that it is not inferred or implied that all duties under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, will be met.

A new wasp has been discovered in the Marlborough district. This is of course a huge concern for Plants and Environment Biosecurity Response, MPI, New Zealand. A visiting Professor of Entomology from the United States of America (USA) collected two specimens of Polistes wasps on 11 February 2016

during their stay at the Bay Vista Waterfront motel near Picton, Marlborough, New Zealand. After returning to USA, the Professor realised one of the specimens was a female Polistes dominula (Hymenoptera: Vespidae). P. dominula is not known to be in New Zealand. The wasp was collected while it was visiting plants outside the hotel. At the time of collection, no nest was observed. See full details in the article under New Zealand News, and Plant Health & Environment Laboratory (PHEL) Diagnostics Report from MPI posted to our website.

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P R O F E SS I O N A L P E ST M A N AG E M E N T

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Drains and Flies - Attraction & Solutions The author is Editor of QA magazine – Lisa Lupo

Flies are naturally attracted to the odours created by decay and fermentation because they indicate a potentially good food source for their larvae.

Drains can provide ideal harbourage and breeding grounds for flies – both large and small. In this article, we discuss why flies are attracted to drains and what you can do to eliminate and prevent the problem.

WHAT ATTRACTES FLIES TO DRAINS? Pest flies are specialists in breeding in decaying material – rather like nature’s garbage man. The flies are naturally attracted to the odours created by decay and fermentation as they indicate a potentially good food source for their larvae

Photo © Jahoo | Dreamstime.com

(“maggots”). This is because, as food waste is washed down drains, colonies of bacteria and fungus begin to thrive on the drain walls. Then fruit flies, drain flies, and phorid flies, can lay their eggs in the biofilm that is produced by these unfavourable bacteria that form on drain surfaces.

And these small flies need this decaying organic matter to deposit their eggs. Yeast is a key component of larval development and the variety of debris that builds up in drains provides a food source that allows the larvae to advance to the pupal stage.

Drains are also a problem because they are built with a U-shaped bend (called a p-trap), which retains a small amount of water to seal the pipe against entry of sewer gasses. But, if the drain collects wash-down wastes without sufficient water volume to flush the solids away, then the organic material in the p-trap will decay, creating ideal conditions for filth flies.

A variety of flies are attracted to this accumulation of organic waste. For example, some small flies are attracted to the yeast by-products from fermenting materials, so beverage plants or plants where sugars are used increase the chances of attracting flies; other flies seek a food source to lay eggs. The actual mechanism of attraction can vary with the species, which is why it is so important to identify the pest properly. By properly identifying the pest, then understanding the biology and habits, a strategy for prevention and control can be developed.

Once drain flies begin to breed and feed in the drains, they can ascend from openings, including sink and floor drain screens as well as beverage dispensing drains in employee break rooms or cafeterias. Sewer pipes lead to the drain pipes and on up to drain fly penetration zones, and neither boiling water nor chemicals will deter their advance to feed on the bacteria that sustains them.

Fruit flies, drain flies, and phorid flies can lay their eggs in the biofilm that is produced by bacteria that form on drain surfaces.

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WHAT CAN I DO TO GET RID OF FLIES?

The key to small fly control is threefold: better sanitation, odour control, and elimination of the larval nesting material. Thus, proper sanitation at food prep or processing areas will reduce fly breeding and feeding opportunities, and biological products that eliminate odour and “eat” organic residues also are helpful.

Change the environment and the flies will have no happy places to feed and breed. Biological products that eliminate odour are the first defence. If the pests cannot detect a source by smell, they will go elsewhere to seek harbourage.

Again, species identification is critical for control, as an understanding of the biology and habits will lead a good investigator to the source. Because food and beverage facilities use lots of water for cleaning, you need to be sure to inspect out-of-the-way areas such as under equipment and inaccessible drains as to sources.

Once the source is identified, the technician and the facility management can develop a fly control strategy for that situation. Pest technicians have recently been gaining control over some of the toughest fly problems by using a portable foaming machine and combination of an insecticide with a disinfectant. The power foamer drives dry foam deep into drains killing flies (and roaches) and helps control future infestations.

Other options are the use of boric acid dust and/or appropriately labelled botanical pesticides (liquids, or slow-dissolving blocks) to kill fly larvae in drains. Facilities can also be fogged to kill adult flies, though this does not address the breeding site, so it only provides short relief, due to the rapid life cycle of small flies.

In addition to pesticide use, an integrated pest management approach that includes a thorough inspection of conducive conditions, exclusion, sanitation, monitoring, and the use of lures and light traps will go a long way in controlling flies.

Inspections should focus on problem areas to ensure that good sanitation practices are being used to eliminate breeding sites. “Drains, cracks and crevices, and areas that collect organic matter should be treated with microbial products that can eliminate the breeding sites. Replacing traditional cleaning products with microbial cleaners that eliminate the breeding sites is key in preventing new infestations while helping to eliminate current populations.

As such, controlling flies involves a multiple-pronged approach aimed at the larvae and adults, with sanitation being key. Adults need

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sugar meals for flight fuel and larvae need decaying organic matter as a substrate. Ensure that floor surfaces are clean and in good condition, as missing grout, cracks, and gaps in wall/floor junctions all provide places for food debris and organic matter to accumulate.

Additionally, areas beneath the feet of processing equipment, as well as conveyor belts and other surfaces that can collect moisture and debris, need to be cleaned and flushed on a regular basis. Moisture is key to fly breeding. A moist environment is a fly environment.

It also is important to note that if fly identification reveals that phorid flies are the problem, there is most likely a leak in a sewer pipe, or other chronic moisture leak. If this is the case, the leak must be fixed. The wet dirt must be removed, or it may support further breeding until it dries. If it isn’t possible to remove the wet dirt, treating it with boric acid dust will prevent fly larvae from being able to live in it.

HOW CAN I PREVENT FLIES FROM BEING ATTRACTED TO DRAINS?

There are a number of steps that food plants can take for prevention, as detailed by the fly and drain experts.

Diligence in ongoing treatment is the answer. Because the common fruit fly lays 400 eggs at a time, the flies can outbreed a treatment. But if the biofilm or food scum and fly eggs are continually “eaten” by beneficial organisms, the chances for success are much improved. Because food areas cannot use pesticides, bleaches, or other toxic chemicals, products with beneficial organisms that eliminate odour and consume organic material are most effective against flies.

The best prevention is keeping the drains clean and free of biofilm build-up. The best way to clean drains, aside from manual scrubbing, is to use a foaming bio-sanitation product. Such a product will digest the organic build-up in drains.

Because all common filth flies have development cycles of at least a week, the simplest solution is to remove the organic content from the drains at least weekly – usually by the application of sufficient water to completely flush them. Although this sounds easy, it can present problems.

The best prevention is keeping the drains clean and free of biofilm build-up.

First, wash-down materials can attach to the drain interior and be difficult to flush away with just water. When that is the case, a suitable drain cleaner needs to be added to the weekly cleaning schedule. Additionally, structural changes can sometimes result in floor drains being placed in areas where there is little or no floor washing, resulting in “dry drains”; that is, floor mopping may be adding organic material to the drain, but almost no water. When that is the case, these drains should be identified and specifically scheduled for weekly flushing.

The most important prevention is to create less hospitable areas. This involves practices such as keeping drains free from build-up and free-flowing with proper rinsing; regularly cleaning and foaming drains; ensuring there is an inspection/cleaning schedule for the basket under the drain grate where food can get trapped; keeping drains in good repair; and sanitizing, cleaning, and foaming with a product labelled for the site.

Continued on Page 9

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Also, use of tape or petroleum jelly on the bottom of the grate can catch flies so that they can be properly identified and to see which drains are sources.

Regular drain treatment with a microbial cleaner and an insect growth regulator (IGR) will disrupt larval fly development so that the larvae die before becoming flying adults, and keeping the facility as dry as possible and on a regular cleaning and maintenance schedule for fly breeding areas will prevent flies in a facility.

Sewer pipes that lead to the drain pipes can become laden with the scum that is a haven to adults and eggs. To clean pipes, scour above the water trap with a heavy-duty brush, using a cleaner that will cut through biofilm. Then apply an approved foam insecticide; the foam will cling to the pipe walls enabling sufficient contact time to penetrate fly eggs.

Comprehensive debris removal must be concluded with sanitization of all food contact areas. If there is any water rimming these screens after cleaning is complete, you will have prepared a hatchery for the flies. So, at the conclusion of every workday, it is imperative to finish with a 20litre flush of every drain in a food production facility.

Regular treatments with microbial products will eliminate the breeding sites. These products can be applied on a regular basis into the drains, voids and cracks and crevices that collect the organic matter that flies need to reproduce. They also can be used as a mopping solution to target cracked tiles and floors that allow for organic matter to build up.

There are also repellent insect blocks that have been proven to repel flies from around drains and garbage areas. But, these are not a substitute for good sanitation practices. Regular maintenance of the breeding sites with microbial cleaners will provide the greatest benefit.

All production activities create some wastes. As long as “working wastes” are present only during each shift, they will not present the potential for breeding and fly infestation. However, if they are not completely removed after each shift, they become ‘standing wastes,’ and the potential for breeding and infestation is present.”

This is particularly true because the volume of standing wastes required to enable filth fly breeding is relatively small and may easily be overlooked where it is not directly associated with production equipment. Reducing the attraction of a plant to filth flies is rather dependent on the products being handled, but making drains less attractive is really just attention to cleaning at a detail level.

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New Method of Killing Rats Will Give You the Chills

The City of Boston (USA) is experimenting with dry ice as a method to exterminate rats.

“We’re seeing tremendous, tremendous success,” said William Christopher, commissioner of the city’s Inspectional Services Department.

For the past several weeks, workers from the agency have been using picnic coolers to pick up dry ice from a local company. They take the super cold substance to known trouble spots. The workers use steel scoops and wear gloves as they place the dry ice into the multiple exits of each burrow. They use their regular work boots to pack the dry ice in.

Dry ice is the solid form of carbon dioxide. As it melts, it turns into carbon dioxide gas, which fills the burrow, suffocating any rats inside.

Christopher said it is a more humane way of killing the rodents — and significantly cheaper than using rat poison. He said his staff has used more than 400 pounds of dry ice over the past six weeks, and that altogether it cost just US$225.

“The stuff is dirt cheap,” he said. “The simplicity of this process is one of the things that most intrigues me,” he added. “And the success is what has me very excited.”

Using dry ice reduces the risk to other animals and children that poison can pose, he said.

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Dry ice can burn if it comes into direct contact with skin, but workers monitor the substance after it’s placed in the burrows, Christopher said.

“It’s simple science,” said Christopher. “It has not hurt anyone or any other wildlife or plant life. Based on everything we’ve seen so far, it’s been excellent.”

Christopher said officials from other cities have inquired about the dry ice method because they are interested in adopting it. He said Boston officials got the idea from local colleges that use carbon dioxide to euthanize lab rats.

John Meaney, the department’s assistant commissioner, said the dry ice method would be demonstrated for attendees at a rodent control summit the city is hosting this week for local officials and other interested parties. A rat looked out from a burrow hole.

One of the first places the city tested out the new pest control method was in the Public Garden. The work was done in the early morning hours, and Christopher said the burrows there were picked because they are away from both homes and the garden’s walking paths. Continued on Page 13

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He said the method would not work to eradicate rats in spaces that aren’t confined like burrows. In those settings, bait, traps, and poison will continue to be used.

And the city will continue to try to educate residents, landlords, and business owners about rodent control, including how to properly seal trash and to contact the city if you see signs of rats or other pests. “The dry ice is just one tool in our toolbox,” he said.

The method does have at least one opponent.

Stephanie Bell, an activist with the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, said in a statement that killing rats is ineffective. She agreed with the city officials on one point: Areas should be made less attractive to the rodents, including by disposing of trash properly and sealing buildings.

“Wild animals of any sort are attracted to places where there’s a reliable food supply, and until that changes, the city will always find itself two steps back if it depends on killing,” Bell said.

By Matt Rocheleau - Globe Staff / Photos - Keith Bedford/Globe staff

Phosphine Resistance: A World View Phosphine resistance has been detected all across the world. A global survey in 1976 found 33/82 countries had phosphine resistant insects. In India every storage site tested had 76-94% of insects carrying phosphine resistance. Worldwide, there are currently 12 species of stored product pests that have shown resistance to phosphine fumigants. At the 12th International Fumigants & Pheromones Conference, Dr. Manoj Nayak and Dr. David Schlipalius, from the Queensland Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in Australia, presented an update on worldwide trends and what Australia has done to help control phosphine resistant insects. Thirty years ago Australia developed a nationwide monitoring program to determine the trends of resistance frequency in insect populations and now lead the world in phosphine resistance research. As a result, they have longer time and higher temperature requirements for using phosphine. They require a 7-day fumigation if the grain temperature is above 77°F (25°C), 10 day fumigation if the grain is 59-77°F (15-25°C), and suggest not fumigating if temperatures are below 59°F (15°C). Australia also requires pressure testing on silos prior to fumigation to determine if the silo is structurally tight enough to fumigate. Pressure testing is a federal requirement when fumigating grain silos and is called the Australian Standard (AS2628). This standard states that the silo to be fumigated must perform a 5 minute half-life pressure test. This ensures that a silo is gas tight and is able to hold lethal concentrations of phosphine gas for a given time to control insects at all life stages. If a silo does not pass the Australian Standard (AS2628), then the silo is considered not tight enough for an effective fumigation and is not fumigated. For more infromation visit w w w . i n s e c t s l i m i t e d . c o m

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NEWS BITES

Rooftop Insect Collectors Find Climate Change Already Affecting Species

In 1992, Ole Karsholt and Jan Pedersen started collecting bugs in light traps on the roof of the Natural History Museum of Denmark in Copenhagen. A quarter-million bugs later, their data on 1543 species of moths and beetles provides astounding evidence that we don’t need to wait for 2°C (3.6°F) of warming before seeing significant effects of temperature change on the insect community.

As might be predicted, the insect species—bugs that eat only a single species of plant —experience temperature changes more dramatically than generalists. “Earlier studies have confirmed that specialist species also respond rapidly to destruction of their habitats, so we are dealing with a very sensitive group of animals” according to postdoc Philip Francis Thomsen from the Center for GeoGenetics, one of the authors of the study published in the Journal of Animal Ecology.

The nut weevil, Curculio nucum, a connoisseur of the hazel nut, visited the museum roof in the early years of the study but disappeared in later years. Its place was taken by the acorn weevil, Curculio glandium, suggesting that both species are moving northwards to find cooler domains. The data on other specialist species supported the hypothesis, showing increases in populations of hot- dwelling species and decreases in those that prefer cooler climates.

Insects that feed only during the non-mobile larval stage were seen to range quite widely from the habitats of their infancy, at least 10 km distant from the museum roof. The team succeeded to register seven moth species and two beetles which had not previously been on record as inhabiting Denmark, including the Asian lady beetle (Harmonia axyridis) (pictured) which has now spread throughout the country and is considered an invasive species.

The conversion of the data gained from the long-term voluntary monitoring project proves how invaluable such records can be. It seems like citizen scientists could lend a hand in the effort with a little political guidance, benefiting both the people involved and the state of scientific knowledge of our environment.

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NEW ZEALAND NEWS

New Paper Wasp Species Found in Marlborough

Background

A visiting Professor of Entomology from the United States of America (USA) collected two specimens of Polistes wasps on 11 February 2016 during their stay at the Bay Vista Waterfront motel near Picton, Marlborough, New Zealand.

One of the specimens was identified as a female of the species P. dominula, (European Paper Wasp) not known to be in New Zealand.

Situation:

Surveillance has shown Polistes dominula to have a wide distribution currently over 60km apart – with confirmed identifications in Blenheim, Nelson, Richmond, Motueka, Picton and Waikawa. It is likely that the extent of the wasp’s distribution is wider than currently known.

Superficially, and to the untrained eye, this species is similar to other social wasps (Vespula wasps and Chinese paper wasp), and it is therefore likely to have been present for a number of years but not recognised as a new to NZ species.

Unlike Vespula wasps this species is not attracted to bait (proteinaceous or sugar-based) as it prefers to take live insect prey – typically caterpillars etc. This means that an effective surveillance and delimiting tool is not available for use in either delimiting the population(s) or monitoring any programme effectiveness.

While this wasp, like other paper wasps, can sting people, they are not aggressive and do not exhibit the stinging swarming behaviour seen in Vespula wasps. Nests are characteristically small, and they do not over-winter to produce “super nests” in the following spring.

P. dominula is not known to have a severe impact on any major industries, and in some circumstances may have a positive effect through predation on pest insects.

Biosecurity Issue

P. dominula can be considered an invasive species, having successfully established in countries outside of its natural range. Like other paper wasps, this species has a painful sting and is aggressive when the nest is disturbed. This wasp appears to be well adapted to urban settings, preferring to nest in enclosed spaces such as wall voids, and thereby increasing its likelihood of being a public nuisance and health and safety issue if established in New Zealand.

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The two Polistes species established in New Zealand are considered environmental pests by the Department of Conservation. While not as serious of a concern as Vespula wasps, Polistes species are thought likely to feed on native invertebrates and compete with native biota for nectar and honeydew resources.

Polistes dominula can be distinguished from the established species Polistes chinensis by using the diagnostic character below.

Polistes dominula has two yellow spots/commas (of variable size, rarely absent) on its back on the upper part of the thorax (Fig. 1). In comparison, Polistes chinensis has no spots.

Fig.1: P. dominula (left), compared with established species P. chinensis (right).

Over the page is a plate of all known wasps in New Zealand

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New Zealand Wasps

Polistes dominulus (European Paper wasp)

Polistes humilis ( Australian paper wasp) Polistes chinensis (Asian/Chinese Paper wasp)

Vespular germanica (German Wasp) Vespular vulgaris (Common Wasp)

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Elusive Rat Picky Eater A rodent-hunting dog has been used in the search for the rat on Ulva Island. Peanut butter proved unsuccessful, so sardines, chocolate spread and walnuts were next on the list as Department of Conservation staff try to track an elusive rat on Ulva Island.

Signs of the rat were first noted on the island, just off the coast of Stewart Island, more than a month ago.

Since then, DOC staff have tried various measures to trap what is thought to be the only rodent on the normally predator-free sanctuary.

While most rats were attracted to peanut butter, ''this one isn't most rats'', rat eradication specialist and incursion programme

leader Peter McClelland said.

''We're working through a list of what most rats are likely to eat, based on trials which have been done,'' he said. ''This one doesn't like peanut butter, so we've been trying a range of other things.''

If that did not work, commercial rodent eradicators would be used, Mr McClelland said.

Staff had captured several photos of the rat, and its location, in Post Office Cove, had been determined, he said.

DOC staff and contractors had increased trap and tracking tunnel checks to twice weekly and installed additional tracking tunnels, a Doc spokesman said. It was unclear if the rat was male or female.

There were concerns a female rat would breed on the island given they were regular breeders, Mr McClelland said.

On average, one rat per year turned up on Ulva Island, a 266ha island ''within swimming distance'' of Stewart Island.

Rats were removed from the island in 1995.

It is now home to many endangered birds including the South Island saddleback, rifleman, yellowhead, Stewart Island robin and Stewart Island brown kiwi.

Tracking would continue for at least another six weeks after the rat was found.

By Damian George – Southland

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War against Rodents

Comment on the environment from NZ Herald columnist Sam Judd

Image / iStock

Ever since the Polynesians arrived in Aotearoa New Zealand about 650 years ago, rodents have altered the ecosystem of New Zealand.

Once an isolated utopia of flightless birds and dinosaur-like lizards, the islands that became New Zealand have since been plagued by rats, stoats, ferrets and other lesser-known introduced pest like Argentine ants. Rats in particular are one of the most difficult to manage. They are often referred to as one of the few species that would survive nuclear war and are associated with some of the worst outbreaks of illness that have ever threatened the human race, such as the Black Death. Even today, in urban areas like Pau De Lima in Brazil, rats are killing people by spreading disease at an alarming rate. Because they can thrive in sewers, dumps and derelict buildings - where humans would fall sick and die rapidly - they have a distinct advantage against us. After first receiving Polynesian rats, the arrival of Europeans brought the far more destructive Norwegian rats, which are now widely distributed throughout the country.

To win the war against rodents will require an effort from large swathes of our population. We cannot sit back and ask the Department of Conservation to do this alone.

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Thankfully, kiwi innovators such as Goodnature have equipped us with an arsenal of highly-efficient automatic weapons that can humanely kill pest animals and then reset themselves. We also have extremely clever units that are leading this battle, such as Predator Free NZ, who are doing a great job of sharing intelligence to people that want to take a stand for our native species.

Thousands of people already volunteer to rid the country of pests, but we need a recruitment drive to tip the scales if we want to have any hope of winning this war. While we have been world-leading in island conservation through removal of pests which has thankfully enabled the conservation of key endangered species such as kakapo and tieke (saddlebacks), we need a much bigger concerted effort to enable such species to thrive on the mainland where people can more easily enjoy them. The emergence of highly successful predator-free sanctuaries has given native bird life a hand-up, by providing safe zones where they can nest and reproduce. These can contribute to a phenomenon that the late Sir Paul Callaghan described as the 'halo effect' - where 12 zones around New Zealand would have 1,000 hectares of predator free fencing, followed by a ring of intensive trapping and another of 1080 drops. Would it not be wonderful if we could have a reputation for flourishing native species that tourists enjoy? We know that our clean, green image is worth a huge amount also to our export sector and economic growth. So as a start, I would have thought that more public park areas that are currently dedicated to introduced animals, such as Ambury Farm Park in Auckland, might better be utilised to create more sanctuaries near the population who would become inspired to join the war effort.

Perhaps this is a New Zealand land war that could become compulsory for the education system? Where else in New Zealand could we provide new blockades from the invaders that would become safe havens for native animals?

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Mouse blitz team leaves for Antipodes The Million Dollar Mouse project to rid Antipodes Island of mice is underway with the departure of a rodent eradication team to the remote nature reserve and World Heritage Area.

Date: 25 May 2016 - Million Dollar Mouse team

The project supply ship leaves Port Timaru today to travel 820 kilometres south-east of New Zealand to the sub Antarctic island with helicopters, equipment and team members on board. The rest of the team left Dunedin on a passenger yacht earlier this week.

Mice are the only introduced predator on the island and removing them will protect the island’s incredible plant and wildlife and return its ecosystem to the way it was before the small rodent arrived more than 100 years ago.

DOC Project Manager Stephen Horn says the operation is one of the most challenging island eradications DOC has ever undertaken and it has only been made possible because of the widespread public support for the Million Dollar Mouse campaign.

The campaign, led by the Morgan Foundation and supported by WWF-New Zealand and Island Conservation (IC), saw thousands of New Zealanders donate a quarter of a million dollars towards removing mice from the Antipodes.

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Loading the cargo vessel Norfolk Guardian in Timaru

Million Dollar Mouse helicopter

Gareth Morgan says: “The public really stepped up and supported this vision in 2012 when we launched the Million Dollar Mouse campaign. It is awesome to see that vision is now becoming a reality."

New Zealand Project Director for the US-based Island Conservation, Richard Griffiths says: “We are proud to be part of this project and partnership to protect the vulnerable animals and habitat of the Antipodes islands. Nowhere else on earth can you find the same suite of species, which includes such oddities as ground-dwelling parakeets and beetles that live in soils enriched by seabird guano.”

WWF-New Zealand Executive Director Chris Howe says WWF-New Zealand is proud to be a Million Dollar Mouse partner and believes this project will make a substantial contribution to the protection and preservation of the Antipodes amazing island habitat.

“Antipodes Island is an ecological treasure and a World Heritage site, so this work is important to secure the only home of the Antipodes Island snipe, Antipodes Island parakeet and the critically endangered Antipodean wandering albatross as well as a raft of other endemic species,” says Chris Howe.

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Departure of the boats follows months of intense planning and preparation and marks the start of the operational phase that will see rodent bait spread by helicopter over the 2000-hectare island this winter.

“The remoteness, lack of safe harbour, wild weather and rough seas pose massive logistic challenges. But we’re confident we have a highly experienced team and are well prepared to succeed,” says Stephen Horn.

The 13-strong eradication team includes two helicopter pilots, a helicopter engineer, a medic, a GIS (geographic information system) technician and eradication experts, two of which are Island Conservation staff. They will stay on Antipodes for two to five months waiting for the right weather conditions to complete the required two bait treatments.

One of the first tasks is to build a platform and temporary hanger to protect the three helicopters from the elements.

New Zealanders donated $250,000 towards the eradication through the Million Dollar Mouse fundraising campaign, while WWF-New Zealand and Island Conservation each gave $100,000. All public donations were matched dollar for dollar by Gareth and Jo Morgan, who contributed $350,000.

Background information

Rare insects, plants and birds found only on the Antipodes Island Nature Reserve and World Heritage Area stand to benefit once mice are gone. These species include the endangered erect-crested penguin, unique ground-dwelling birds like the Antipodes Island parakeet and Antipodes Island snipe and at-risk seabirds such as Antipodean wandering albatross and white-chinned petrel.

Mice came to the island by shipwreck or sealers in the 1800s and have had a significant impact on the island’s ecosystem. They eat insects and plants and prey on bird chicks and eggs. Mice have wiped out two insect species on Antipodes and pushed some seabirds to breed on nearby mouse-free islands. They also pose a threat to the 25 seabirds that breed on Antipodes.

For more information and to track the team’s progress via blog posts, visit the Million Dollar Mouse (external site) website.

Contacts

Fiona Oliphant, DOC Media Advisor Phone: +64 3 371 3743 Mobile: +64 27 470 1378 Email: foliphant@doc.govt.nz

24

TECHNICAL HINTS

How to Avoid Burn-out in the Busy Season Now that there are a few winter months ahead it’s time to reflect on how busy this last summer has been. The pressure of keeping up with the summertime demand for pest control and satisfying customer needs can often seem like a manager’s sole priority, but it shouldn’t be.

With an ever-increasing workload, comes a need to maintain morale, otherwise employee retention will drop and the strain on other employees will become noticeably more pronounced.

Some best practices for you to consider for the next busy season include:

• Continue to press play: it’s always tempting to postpone all “non-necessary” workplace activities, opting instead to create an atmosphere of total focus, but this is rarely effective. If you’re able to keep your employees engaged in the company culture and remind them why they are passionate about their workplace, then the long summer hours won’t seem as frustrating.

• Now is not the time for BHAGS (Big Hairy Audacious Goals): don’t push any more work on your employees than necessary. Although your busy season isn’t a time to withdraw workplace initiatives, it also isn’t the time to introduce brand new, time-consuming goals. An extra project on top of a heavy workload might be the straw that breaks the camel’s back.

• Extra incentives: with extra work should come extra reward. Make the time to recognise record-breaking performances, positive customer feedback and overall reach. You can take time to do daily shout-outs for exceptional work or outstanding employees, cater a monthly company breakfast, or begin a weekly sales meeting with prizes.

• Get out of the office: Summer is the time to show your employees that you’re willing to go the extra mile. Get out of the office and get your hands dirty a couple times a month. Not only will this benefit your employees and demonstrate the kind of leadership they expect, but it will help keep you sane, too.

• Remain consistent: a ramp up in customer demand does not mean training and hiring practices should take a back seat. Continue to seek out employees who are going to contribute to and be an advocate for your company culture, so that once the rush is over you won’t be left with a handful of apathetic new-hires. Although easier said than done, don’t rush the training process – continue to invest time and resources into all of your employees and recognize that they need continued support.

During a time when customer satisfaction seems like the main priority, it’s easy to forget what your employees need. A company barbeque seems like a non-issue during an industry’s busiest season, but that’s exactly when employees most need a small reward, and a chance to connect with their company on a non-professional level. Remind your workers why they chose your company in the first place, and ultimately for whom all their hard work benefits – themselves! If you try to ignore burnout and focus singularly on customers, your employees will lose interest, work quality will suffer, and you may end up losing some of your best employees. If you aim to satisfy your employees by remaining consistent in training and hiring practices, and create a fun company culture, your busy season might just turn into your employees’ favourite season.