Pests trapped at Waihi Beach by working bees

106 rats have been captured at Waihi Beach since November.

The cull of animal pests continues in Waihi Beach, with trapping lines in four different areas.

Eight volunteers for the Waihi Beach Environment Society have been clearing the traps over the past few months. Since November the group has trapped a number of pests including 106 rats, eight stoats, eight mice and 11 hedgehogs.

Secretary/Treasurer of the Society Helen Meiklejohn says they have improved their trapping methods.

"Otto McGirr from The Great Coromandel Egg Company donated eggs, and with our addition of peanut butter, bacon scraps etc have proven a great lure to bring pests to the traps. Previously we bought frozen rabbit bait, freighted from Auckland and kept in home freezers, with the risk it might end up in a stew by mistake.

We hope individuals are also contributing to the tally by doing ongoing culling around homes and businesses," she said. Members also attend a weekly working bee weeding the dunes on the beachfront, taking out garden waste plants and weeds that interfere with beneficial dune plants like spinifex, pingao and native convolvulus.

In trapping areas, the group has seen all sorts of rubbish from old electric ranges, children's broken toys, old gas heaters, garden waste and party leftovers, empty bottles, cans, food wrappers and sleeping bags.

"My car, left at one trapping site, was covered in mud from off-roaders being destructive churning up a wet and soggy carpark. These guys were trying to clean my car with water from drink bottles," she said.

The society says it is always keen for more members.

"Many of us plant for Coast Care over the winter months usually on the last Sunday of the month. We always need help with environmental work."