Philproof ® Wallaby Bait Station

Philproof® Wallaby Bait Station – Weatherproof, High-Capacity Station for Wallaby Management

The Philproof® Wallaby Bait Station is a robust, professional bait station designed for use in wallaby pre-feeding, monitoring and approved control programmes.

Based on the proven Philproof® bait station platform, it features an enlarged front opening to improve wallaby access and holds up to 1,600g of pelleted bait. Its high capacity and weatherproof construction make it particularly useful in remote locations where frequent servicing can be difficult.

Philproof® bait stations have been used in community wallaby-control programmes and independently evaluated in Ministry for Primary Industries-funded research involving both dama and Bennett’s wallabies in New Zealand.

Key Benefits

• Up to 1,600g capacity – reduces the risk of stations running empty between service visits
• Enlarged front opening – improves access compared with standard enclosed bait station openings
• Weatherproof bait protection – helps keep pre-feed and approved bait dry, fresh and palatable
• Suitable for pre-feeding – provides a consistent, recoverable source of non-toxic cereal bait
• Removable base – allows fast and straightforward refilling in the field
• Heavy-duty construction – manufactured in Hamilton, New Zealand, from UV-treated HDPE
• Stackable and lightweight – practical for transporting larger numbers into remote areas
• Reusable and recyclable – designed for repeated deployment across professional pest-management programmes

Documented Use in Wallaby Research

Modified Philproof® bait stations have been included in field research undertaken by Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research through New Zealand’s national wallaby programme.

Trail-camera monitoring confirmed that dama and Bennett’s wallabies visited the stations and consumed non-toxic cereal pre-feed. The research also highlighted that wallaby feeding success is influenced by station design, bait accessibility, placement and competition from possums.

For this reason, the Philproof® Wallaby Bait Station should be regarded as a durable pre-feed and bait-presentation platform within a properly planned wallaby-management programme, rather than a standalone control solution.

Further information is available in the MPI-funded investigation of existing wallaby feeder designs and the peer-reviewed research on wallaby and possum behaviour at bait feeders .

How It Works

The station holds a protected supply of cereal pellets or other approved bait behind its internal baffle. The enlarged entrance allows wallabies to approach and feed while the enclosed hopper protects the remaining bait from rain and ground moisture.

Non-toxic pre-feed can be used to establish regular wallaby visitation before an approved toxic presentation is introduced. Pre-feeding, toxin selection and final bait presentation must always follow the product label and the operational plan prepared for the control programme.

Wallabies are naturally cautious feeders. Stations should therefore be positioned where wallaby sign, runs or regular feeding activity have been identified, with entrances kept open and unobstructed.

Placement and Servicing

• Install stations securely on a post, stake or other suitable mounting point
• Position the opening at an appropriate feeding height for the target wallaby species
• Keep vegetation and other obstructions clear of the entrance
• Use non-toxic pre-feed before introducing toxic bait where required by the bait label
• Check stations regularly for bait uptake, moisture, damage and non-target activity
• Use trail cameras where practical to confirm wallaby visitation and feeding behaviour
• Remove residual toxic bait at the completion of the operation when required

The current New Zealand label for Feratox® for Bennett’s wallabies requires bait stations, bait bags or strikers to be positioned at least 20cm above the ground. Always follow the particular bait label because placement and legal requirements may vary between products and locations.

Managing Possum and Non-Target Interference

Research has shown that possums can dominate wallabies at bait feeders, consume available bait and interrupt wallaby feeding. This may reduce bait availability and increase the risk of incomplete or sub-lethal feeding.

Where possums are present, operators should consider possum abundance when determining station capacity, servicing frequency and the wider control strategy. More intensive servicing or possum suppression may be required as part of a professionally designed programme.

Multi-Species Capability

Outside a wallaby programme, the same station may also be configured for approved possum and rodent control. Bait spikes can be installed through the floor to secure block bait and reduce bait removal or stockpiling by rodents.

Philproof® baffles may also be fitted for selected rodent-control applications to help restrict access by larger non-target animals. Any modification must remain compatible with the intended bait, target species and applicable label requirements.

Suitable For

• Regional councils and biosecurity agencies
• Professional pest-control contractors
• Conservation organisations and community groups
• Forestry and primary-industry operations
• Wallaby research and monitoring projects
• Approved land-management programmes

New Zealand Safety and Responsible Use

Wallaby toxins and other vertebrate toxic agents must be used strictly in accordance with the manufacturer’s label, safety data sheet and all applicable regulatory requirements. Some products may only be purchased or used by a certified handler holding the appropriate controlled-substance licence.

Important Operational Note

Rabbit and wallaby control is rarely achieved through one product or method alone. Results will depend on local wallaby density, species, bait acceptance, station placement, non-target activity and the wider control programme.

Why Buy from Philproof®?

Philproof® manufactures professional pest-control equipment for landowners, contractors, councils, biosecurity agencies and conservation organisations throughout New Zealand, Australia and internationally.

Our bait stations are manufactured from heavy-duty UV-treated HDPE and designed for repeated use in demanding outdoor environments. Many Philproof® stations remain operational after years of field service, providing a reliable and reusable platform for long-term pest-management programmes.

Photo Credit to Tipu Matoro National Wallaby Eradication Programme