The secret life of rats … first we need proof they are there, and how many.

Predator Free Cromwell has a trail camera that can take video or images, day or night. This is one way we know rats are here, where they are going, what they are doing, and which native species they are dining on.

At home, or on the orchard or farm, you can make chew cardsand tracking tunnels to confirm rats are around, and where they are active. This tells you the most effective places to set a trap and get a result.

Join Tracker Tuesdays - this gives trappers essential information on where to place traps, trap lines, and whether trapping efforts are working. Find out more here.

We have instructions, information and resources to make your own bait boards, chew cards and tracking tunnels, or you can purchase from Predator Free Cromwell.

Predator Free NZ has some great information if you want to learn more about rats.

Remember … just because you haven’t seen a rat, doesn’t mean they aren’t there … very close, cautious, watchful, breeding, eating!

Rats are one of the biggest threats to our native wildlife, but they're also one of the easiest predators to control when we work together.

Our community trap library offers several proven options: the Goodnature automatic self-resetting trap for low-maintenance trapping, plus Victor Professional,T-Rex snap traps and DOC150 or 200, all housed in purpose-built safety boxes. Of course, you can use your own traps too.

Not catching anything? Don't give up! Rats are naturally cautious of anything new, but there are plenty of ways to outsmart them. Check out our Trap Placement Guide and Predator Free NZ troubleshooting tipshere and here for practical advice.

If the bait is not being eaten, you may be targeting the wrong species of rat - Norway rats, the stocky swimmers, and Ship rats, the cautious climbers, are both here in this area. Both prefer different diets and if you have Norway rats, you may need a more powerful trap. Check out the Predator Free NZ guides to successfully trapping Norway rats and Ship rats.

Better still, team up with nearby neighbours and create a small trapline. A network of traps across several properties is far more effective than a single trap on its own.

Whether you're just getting started or have been trapping for years, we're here to help. Get in touch if you have questions, need advice or would like to borrow a trap.

Every catch tells a story.

By recording your catches on Trap.NZ, even if it’s something other than a rat, you're helping build a picture of where predator species are found, how populations change over time, and where trapping efforts are having the greatest impact. This information helps us make informed decisions about where to focus our efforts and which traps work best in different locations.

We'll add you to your local Predator Free Cromwell project area, so you can see what's being caught in your neighbourhood and watch catches reduce as you and your neighbours work together. It's incredibly rewarding to see the difference your collective efforts are making.

Getting started is easy. Simply contact us and we'll help you join your local project. If you're new to Trap.NZ, our How To Guides will take you through the process step by step.

Together, we're creating a healthier environment for our native wildlife - one catch at a time.

Questions? We'd love to help. Get in touch - we're here to support you every step of the way.