MY BIG IDEA
WASP BAITING W hat is your Big Idea? The big idea here is simply to try to rid the trails around Nelson of wasps! Nelson Mountain Bike Club (NMTBC) staff and members have been working in conjunction with Nelson Nature to install wasp traps, pre-bait, bait the traps and finally remove all traces of the work from the area. In January and February of this year a keen group of members of the club volunteered to carry out the task using upwards of 600 bait stations over 30km of trail around the Fringed Hill area! These traps were set out at 50m intervals along the entire lengths of popular walking and cycling trails. The purpose of this work is to attempt to eliminate wasps within a 200m radius of each bait station, therefore providing relief for all trail users.
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B Y R A C H A E L G U R N E Y , N E L S O N M O U N TA I N B I K E C L U B
What are the benefits? Wasps are a pest that can ruin a family walk, a tramp, a trail run or a cycle ride. The fear of getting stung can often deter people from venturing into the bush at certain times of the year. Wasps are also predators of insects and wildlife so in addition to making the trails a nicer place to be in the summer for people, less of these little beasties will inevitably improve insect numbers and encourage more birds back into the area. Monitoring of the area of Fringed Hill after the baiting was complete showed excellent results from the project with all monitored nests disappearing after the baiting was carried out. NMTBC Trail Manager Ben Pointer says: “The project has been a real success although there are still a few wasps about as our coverage of the Nelson area was limited to those 600 stations. I am looking
forward to next year, carrying the momentum forward to make the city wasp free!� How can people help? The Nelson Mountain Bike Club is already planning to be involved with this project in the summer of 2017/2018. With more people involved they will be able to tackle more trails and different areas of the city next summer, which will have a bigger impact on the wasp population as a whole. This is a really exciting initiative and one that is easy to get involved in; all you need is a big rucksack, some free time and the willingness to get out on the trails. Who do they get in touch with? To become involved just email NMTBC at info@nelsonmtb.club and let the club know you can help out next year.