The Art Of Luring Feral Cats: Effective Baiting Techniques

Feral cats are a serious threat to native species, having caused the extinction of some native ground-dwelling birds and mammals. They are also known to carry diseases that can be transmitted to native animals, domestic livestock, and even humans. To address this issue, two types of cat baits have been developed: Eradicat® and Curiosity®. Eradicat® is a small, palatable feral cat sausage bait containing 4.5mg of 1080 (sodium fluoroacetate), a toxin that occurs naturally in Australian Gastrolobium pea plants. On the other hand, Curiosity® comprises a small meat-based sausage with a hard plastic pellet containing a humane toxin. While Eradicat® is the only ready-to-lay bait registered for feral cats in Western Australia, Curiosity® has been endorsed by the RSPCA as a clear improvement in humaneness over previous toxins.

The Curiosity® bait

To maximise outcomes for land managers, it is optimal to use the bait at times when feral cats are food-stressed, such as in winter. It is also preferable to undertake baiting programs between June and August in south-eastern Australia when feral cats are moving around more due to scarce food sources, thus increasing the likelihood of their finding and consuming baits.

The Eradicat® bait

Eradicat® is a small, palatable feral cat bait developed and produced by the WA Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions. Each bait contains 4.5mg of sodium fluoroacetate (1080), a toxin that occurs naturally in Australian Gastrolobium pea plants. Native Australian animals have evolved a tolerance to the toxin over millions of years, but pet dogs and cats are highly susceptible to 1080 poisoning.

Eradicat® is the only ready-to-lay bait registered for feral cats in Western Australia and is used to manage feral cats at a landscape scale for National Parks, Nature Reserves and other areas where native species of conservation significance require protection from feral cat predation. It can be used for ground or aerial baiting campaigns, with aerial deployment being most suitable for large, landscape-scale projects such as baiting over an entire island or conservation reserve.

To increase the likelihood of cats taking the bait, Eradicat® should be used at times when the fewest prey are available for feral cats. It is also important to consider the time of year when deploying the bait, as baits are more likely to be rained on during certain seasons.

Anyone receiving or handling Eradicat® on a specified area of land must complete the DPIRD online 1080 training to become an "Approved User". Use of Eradicat® must be approved by the DBCA Feral Cat Technical Committee and delivered in accordance with the WA Code of Practice.

The Hisstory® bait

Like the Curiosity® bait, Hisstory® minimises the hazard to wildlife species by relying on the fact that most Australian animals nibble and chew their food and are likely to reject the pellet. However, there are a few animals that eat their food whole and will eat a bait and pellet. Of those animals, goannas are highly susceptible to Curiosity’s PAPP toxin. This potential hazard to goannas can be mitigated in southern Australia by limiting baiting to the cooler months when goannas are in torpor. Further north, the potential hazard is mitigated by using the 1080 toxin in Hisstory® baits. While goannas are susceptible to the PAPP toxin, they are tolerant to a cat-sized dose of 1080 toxin. This means Hisstory® baits will be suitable for sites in northern Australia where goannas are typically active all year round.

Testing of the Hisstory® bait is necessary to ensure the bait is effective on feral cats and to ensure the risks to native species are minimised. A number of trials, both in captive and open situations, will be conducted. Once the Department is satisfied with the testing, a registration will be sought from the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority as an agricultural chemical product for vertebrate pest control.

Aerial baiting

When conducting aerial baiting, it is crucial to follow specific guidelines and regulations to ensure the safe and effective use of toxic baits. The deployment of baits must adhere to minimum distance restrictions from residential dwellings, water bodies, property boundaries, roads, and constructed recreational sites. In Australia, the use of toxic baits for aerial baiting is regulated by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA), and additional controls are established under relevant legislation.

The choice of bait is a critical aspect of aerial baiting. Two commonly used baits for feral cats are Eradicat® and Curiosity®. Eradicat® is a small, palatable feral cat sausage bait containing 4.5mg of 1080 (sodium fluoroacetate), a toxin that occurs naturally in Australian Gastrolobium pea plants. Native Australian animals have developed a tolerance to this toxin due to co-evolution, while feral cats are susceptible. Curiosity® baits contain a hard plastic pellet that encapsulates the toxin para-aminopropiophenone (PAPP). This pellet is designed to dissolve in the stomach of the feral cat, delivering a rapid dose of the toxin.

To maximise the effectiveness of aerial baiting, it is important to consider the timing of the deployment. Baiting should ideally be undertaken when alternate prey species are less available, increasing the likelihood of cats consuming the baits. Additionally, deploying baits during cooler months can reduce the risk of poisoning non-target species, such as goannas, which are less active during those periods.

Overall, aerial baiting is a strategic approach to managing feral cat populations and requires careful planning, following regulations, and choosing the appropriate bait to minimise risks to non-target species.

Ground baiting

Planning:

• Timing: Choose an appropriate time of year when alternate prey species are less available, increasing the likelihood of cats finding and consuming baits. In south-eastern Australia, the months between June and August are preferable as food sources are scarcer during this period.
• Area Selection: Select areas where feral cats are known to frequent, such as vehicle tracks and other linear features.
• Risk Assessment: Conduct a thorough risk assessment to identify any potential hazards to non-target species in the area. This includes assessing the presence of native species that may be at risk of primary or secondary poisoning.
• Authorisation: Obtain the necessary permits and authorisation from relevant authorities, such as Agriculture Victoria or the WA Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, before proceeding with ground baiting.

Execution:

• Distribution: Place the baits on the ground surface at intervals of at least 100 meters, ensuring a rate of no more than 50 baits per square kilometre.
• Monitoring: Use tools like GPS or marker tape to record bait locations for easier recovery if the baits are not taken by the target cats.
• Warning Signs: Erect warning signs at all entry points before laying baits, providing information such as the date, toxin used, target pest, and contact numbers. Keep the signs up for at least four weeks after the last day of baiting.
• Distance Restrictions: Adhere to specified minimum distances for placing baits from residential dwellings, water bodies, boundary fences, and roadways. For ground baiting, the minimum distances are 150 meters from dwellings, 20 meters from water bodies, 5 meters from fences, and 5 meters from roadways.
• Storage and Transport: Store and transport the baits securely, following the directions on the approved label. Keep them in their original container in a refrigerator or freezer, away from children, pets, and foodstuffs.

By following these guidelines and working closely with the relevant authorities, ground baiting can be an effective method for controlling feral cat populations while minimising risks to non-target species.

Frequently asked questions