Indian myna birds in Bendigo to be controlled with PeeGee traps

Woodvale resident Jenni Heinrich purchased the traps after noticing more and more birds in her area.

"The sightings around Bendigo and surrounds for the last few years have increased dramatically," Mrs Heinrich said.

"If we don't stop them, they will wipe everything else out. They are fiercely competitive."

It was 2018 that Mrs Heinrich first began to see the invasive Indian mynas in Woodvale where she lived.

In 20 years there, she'd never seen a myna bird before. Now they are prolific.

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Mrs Heinrich was so concerned about the pest's effect on native bird species that she began to investigate control methods.

She found the PeeGee traps would be the best option. These entice the bird into the cage with reddish dried cat food.

The entry tunnels narrow at the throat, meaning the bird cannot get out.

Inside the second chamber the cage has food and water laid out to make sure the bird is happy.

A "Judas bird" left inside the cage from the previous day is often used to entice the birds in.

Mrs Heinrich said the objective of the group was to protect indigenous species with whom the Indian mynas compete for space.

"It's not so much to obliterate myna birds as it is to protect the nesting environment of native species such as kookaburras, rosellas ... sugar gliders and feather-tailed gliders," she said.

"They will evict the young of indigenous birds and marsupial, they will kill them, peck them to death, they will nest on top on them to suffocate them.

"They're a very cunning and very aggressive feral animal."

After they are trapped, the birds are humanely euthanised. The group provides information to buyers about the RSPCA approved methods of communication.

The group has purchased 100 traps, which are available for sale. To buy a PeeGee trap contact landcareversusmynas@gmail.com

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