The Port Underwood Association provided funds to purchase 10 AT220 traps to undertake a possum control pilot study over the course of 1 year in the Port Underwood area in early 2025. These 10 traps are supplemented by 2 additional AT220’s and other pest control efforts that are occurring within the pilot area.
The pilot programme aims to provide information on the effectiveness of AT220 traps to control
pests, particularly possums, with the view to enhancing the health of indigenous vegetation and bird
populations in the pilot area. The focus of monitoring will be on kereru (wood pigeons) and
piwakawaka (fantail) seen in or around the area and the health of native flora such as kohekohe
(Didymocheton spectabilis), tawa (Beilschmiedia tawa), and kamahi (Pterophylla racemosa). These
indicator species are sensitive to high possum and rat populations. This data will inform PUA
members on whether a self-help pest control programme would benefit the native biodiversity of
wider Port Underwood area.
AT220 traps were chosen for use in the pilot programme. Possum strikes are recorded as possum and all other trap activations are recorded as others, and are typically rat or mouse.
AT220 trapping results – February and March 2025
| Trap name | Possum | Other |
| 30281 | 1 | 8 |
| 30282 | 0 | 0 |
| 30283 | 0 | 0 |
| 30284 | 4 | 5 |
| 30285 | 0 | 12 |
| 30286 | 6 | 9 |
| 30287 | 1 | 7 |
| 30288 | 4 | 11 |
| 30289 | 0 | 2 |
| 30290 | 2 | 5 |
| Boustridge | 5 | 10 |
| Lambie | 5 | 11 |
| Total | 28 | 80 |