Perry Groves

Is vermin such as Rats, Wasps, Skunks etc a big issue in NZ?

Kija

I'm more terrified of the wetas and other insects TBH!

Having read through the forums I have read some have problems with mice I think? Haven't read anything about skunks though. I'm sure someone living there will be along soon with more info. Almost wrote "with more insects" that's how bad I am

Hokey-pokey

Yes. The NZ native skunk thrives in the southern end of the North Island. They favour snug,secure, arbours colloquially referred to as" beehives " for mutual preening and bottom licking. If cornered it becomes exceedingly docile and pathetic in nature - this is only a ruse however - as it dispenses a unique vomit inducing scent of corruption.
Sadly impossible to avoid as the " scent of corruption " gets carried to all parts of the country by the winds of Wellington. A culling programme has been mooted.

Am Loolah

Possums.

Not troubled by wasps, thank goodness.

nero

Depends what you call vermin. Mosquitoes can be a pain in the summer. Sand flies at the beach can be annoying - although we do not appear to have them in Auckland!

Currently working with the local council at one of the reserves and there are real problems with possums and rats. The possums are especially bad at eating native trees. The rats tend to eat the eggs of the native birds. So neither are liked. Hedgehogs and rabbits are also frowned upon in the reserve world as they cause probelms with wildlife and vegetation as well.

But I think that is about it

Persephone

On a personal level I find the house flies the most annoying pests here. Have had no problems with ants, spiders, wasps, wetas, rats or errrr skunks

The flies are incredibly persistent and will NOT leave you alone. We usually end up spraying round the room and then shutting the door and hope hope hope to come back to a thin layer of dead flies over the carpet

Perry Groves

Any Hornets?

Kija

I know the possums are damaging the trees etc but they're so cute, it's sad they got introduced there and now have to be exterminated. Hedgehogs are cute too. All animals are cute It's the insects I can't stand

Perry Groves

German Cockroaches are my biggest worry

Rustie

Have to say that this year (winter) has been particularly bad for rats for us (and mice), we've had them in the house for the first time and even had to escourt one out of the lounge a couple of weeks ago We think we've worked out how they got in and have blocked it off but lots of people are saying the same thing, with resulting problems of water pipes being chewed through plus the usual amount of damage.

Where i work and all out West Auckland there's been a massive problem with rabbits, probably down to the early start and long summer this year.

It very much depends where you live but essentially rats, mice, wasps, hornets, sandflies and mozzies are a problem at different times of year. Weta's, whitetail spiders, rabbits, possums, stoats, weasels and mozzies are more of a problem around bush areas.

The larger cockroach problems tend to be around Gisbourne area as i understand it.

Kija

OK so Gisbourne is a place I'll be avoiding if we get to go to New Zealand as well as bush areas! Not sure how I'd cope if I came face to face with a weta

Perry Groves

What problems do Weasels cause?

nero

We geta Weta's in our garden and in our garage! They are funny looking things - have to say they are not my favourite insects prefer the preying mantis (now they are beautiful)

Wooly_Cow

Got a couple of white tails (spiders) in the house on one day over the weekend. A mate of mine says (and his brother is an etymologist specializing in spiders) that as white tails live on other spiders the best way to keep them down is to regularly get rid of spider webs around the house (inside and out) with a broom. By the way he also said that although the bite is painful and can in rare cases cause nausea and vomiting, it is not proven that it causes ulcerated rashes.

Wooly_Cow

Anyone seen the Cook Stait Giant Weta - saw a couple on Somes Island on the weekend in the Weta Hotel - bodies as long as my palm and as thick as my thumb .....