1. What are they used for?
Chew cards and Rodent detector kits are an innovative way to detect the presence of a range of predators including, rats, mice, stoats, cats, possums and hedgehogs.
2. Who can use them?
They are intended for domestic use as well as for professional pest control operations.
3. What’s in them — do they contain poisons?
Depends on the brand you purchase the formula may be different. Some use a highly palatable formulation while others use a long life lures, both are in paste form and are non-toxic. If kept in a warm dry place the shelf life can be up to 12 months.
4. How do I know where I should place them?
Start by placing in areas where you have seen or seen evidence of predators. Along a fence line, near compost or rubbish bins, at the base of trees are a good place to start. Predators will only investigate food – and therefore a trap – in places where they feel safe, so not in an open space.
5. How do I install them?
That depends on which product you purchase. In most cases you nail or screw to a tree or post. Instructions are generally provided with the product. If you require further assistance, check out the manufacturer’s website for more detailed instructions. Oh and they’re also weather resistant.
6. How long should I leave them out for?
As a general rule the manufacturer of Chew Cards suggest 7 nights and even less if you are using the Rodent Dectector kit.
7. How do I read the results?
If predators are interacting with the Detector Kits you will see teeth marks on the surface of the kit. Unique bite or tooth mark impressions left behind on the Chew Card accurately indicate just what predator you are dealing with.
Instructions provided with the product (or on the manufacturer’s website) will help you to identify what predators you have roaming in your backyard. Or you can use Landcare Research’s guide to identify who has been biting.
8. Where can I buy chew cards?
You can buy packs of chew cards on our online shop.
9. Now what do I do?
Buy a trap and get trapping. Now that you know the type of predator you’ve got, do some research to find the trap that best suits your budget and capability. Some people are very comfortable handling predators and others are not. For that very reason there is a variety of different trap options available on the market today. See our trapping best practice section.