Double Tap: The Future of Humane Pest Control in New Zealand

New Zealand's unique biodiversity is a matter of pride, with its dense forests and rich wildlife. But invasive species like rats and possums have long been a concern, compromising the ecological balance of our land. Here at Connovation we are facing this problem head on, and an innovative approach to pest control is at the forefront of our focus.

While we have various tools in our arsenal to control these pests, few have been as promising and environment-friendly as the Double Tap pellet bait.

Unparalleled Effectiveness without Compromising Safety

What Sets Double Tap Apart?

Highly Palatable and Effective: Double Tap isn't just any ordinary pellet bait. Its unique composition combining a 1st generation anticoagulant (Diphacinone) with naturally occurring Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol) makes it a go-to choice for eradicating possums and rats.

The use of Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol) with the first generation anticoagulant results in a bait that is as potent as second-generation anticoagulants. This dual-action helps to ensure efficacy.

Environment-Friendly: The 1st generation anticoagulant in Double Tap is metabolised quickly, which means it's less likely to linger and put our non-target species at risk. This makes it safer for our wildlife and natural ecosystem.

No Residue Concerns: One of the key issues with some anticoagulants is their propensity to stay in the environment for extended periods, leading to secondary poisoning. With Double Tap, you get the potency of a 2nd generation anticoagulant, but without such concerns.

To put it simply, the half-life of Brodifacoum, commonly used in 2nd-generation anticoagulants, is over 250 days (about 8 months). In contrast the half-life of Diphacinone which is the 1st-generation anticoagulant we use in Double Tap is less than 3 days. Therefore, the duration Double Tap is likely to persist in residues when the game is sub-lethally exposed is just 2-4 weeks. This is a major reduction compared to the persistence of the Brodifacoum, which is over 24 months!

Widely Approved: Used and trusted by leading pest controllers. Its acceptance by these organisations is a testament to its effectiveness and safety.

Humane and Efficient

Compared to baits like Brodifacoum, Double Tap acts faster, reducing the time possums and rats suffer before death. This not only makes it a more humane choice, but it also ensures that less bait is consumed, proving cost-effective in the long run.

Safety First

It is essential to the team at Connovation that we ensure that our pest control measures are as humane as possible. Double Tap provides an efficient solution without compromising on these ethics. Also, there's no need for a Controlled Substance Licence when using Double Tap, a testament to its safety for handlers.

To ensure safety however, handlers do need to wear gloves. Overalls are also recommended to protect everyday clothing from being contaminated. Wash your overalls separate to general laundry as well to ensure transfer is avoided.

Tested and Proven

In rigorous single feed cage trials conducted southeast of Taupo, Double Tap proved its mettle. Two 200- hectare areas were used in this trial. One 200-hectare site had 200 bait stations set up. The other remained untouched as a control region. The trial ran for 2 months.

The trial areas were predominantly covered with plantation pine and native scrub. After the bait removal post two months, the results were excellent. There was a reduction of between 86% (mice) to 100% (ship rats). Clearly displaying Double Taps long-term efficacy.

A Word on Pre-Feed and Trap Selection

In areas where there has been previous possum control using other toxins, we recommend prefeeding with our non-toxic Double Tap prefeed as we have found that these areas often contain bait shy possums. Prefeeding helps to overcome this bait shyness.

For possum control, we suggest the Philproof Bait Station. This bait station is also excellent for rats in the bush provided you place a branch or rope onto the Bait Station to allow the rats easy access to it. If you are controlling rats only, the run through bait station works exceptionally well.

Conclusion

With the increasing demand for environmentally conscious pest control solutions, Double Tap stands out as a beacon of hope. Not only does it ensure that possums and rats are controlled effectively, but it also guarantees that our beautiful New Zealand remains untarnished. The reduction in secondary poisoning risk for our native birds alone is reason enough to use Double Tap for your pest-control bait needs. Double Tap truly is the best next step towards a Pest Free 2050 for New Zealand.

To explore more about Double Tap and other humane pest control solutions, connect with the experts at Connovation. Together, let's strive for a pest-free, greener New Zealand!