Developing a pest animal management plan

An integrated pest animal management plan is vital in the pastoral zone. Management should be carefully planned and coordinated to ensure maximum benefit is achieved from the effort and cost of implementing the control program. 

The following are key steps in developing a pest animal plan: 

• Identify the pest animal species present on the property — including methods of identifying and quantifying pest animal activity. 
• Identify if there are any pest animals active nearby that may become a problem in the future. 
• Identify and cost the damage the pest species causes to the property, animals, and environment. 
• List times when activity is highest. 
• List times when activity is lowest. 
• Identify, through research, the main breeding seasons of pest animals. 
• Research when the recommended times are for optimum control of each pest species. 
• Write down which control agents are effective and are an option for the business in terms of time, cost, effectiveness, availability and non-target risks. 
• Record planned activity and methods of control to use on the property. 
• Review activities for effectiveness, and ways that might improve control in the next campaign. 
• Find out if there are any seasonal, local or regional group-based campaigns coordinated towards your target species. Predator control is often more effective when coordinated around a group or district approach with neighbouring properties undertaking the control program at specific times.