Late-Winter Pest Pressure in NZ: What’s Still Active and Why You Should Act Now

August marks the tail end of winter in New Zealand, but for rural landowners it’s far from a time to relax when it comes to pests. While the worst of the cold may be easing in some regions, late winter brings its own unique pest challenges, many of which go unnoticed until real damage has been done.

At T & C’s Pest Control Services, we know that August is a critical time - the calm before the storm so to speak. A time when surviving pests are regrouping, repositioning, and preparing to breed. Whether you're managing a farm, lifestyle block, or forestry boundary, understanding what pests are up to in late winter can give you a valuable edge in protecting your property.

Why Late Winter Is a Key Window for Pest Management

Late winter in New Zealand (especially from early to mid-August) is a transitional period. Days begin to lengthen slightly, but soil remains wet, pasture growth is limited, and natural food sources are still scarce (conditions that push pests to forage more widely and closer to human-managed land).

This is also the point in the year when many pest species begin preparing to breed, if they haven’t already. A rabbit that survives winter may produce multiple litters come spring. Possums, pigs, deer, and stoats are also on the move, feeding more aggressively and expanding their range.

Acting now prevents a spring outbreak. Leaving it a few more weeks could mean facing exponential pest growth, widespread crop loss, and increased grazing competition during the peak growing season.

What Pests Are Active in August Across Rural NZ?

Here’s what’s still moving across paddocks, hillsides, and bush edges during late winter:

Rabbits

August is a prime breeding month for rabbits in many parts of New Zealand. While populations may have appeared quiet earlier in winter, they’re now actively grazing to regain condition and preparing to reproduce. One female can produce up to 50 offspring a year, starting in August. Even low-density infestations can explode if left alone now.

You may see:

Fresh scratching or burrows in well-drained slopes or pasture edges
Small clusters of droppings near fence lines
Grazing rings around shelter belts or winter crops

Wallabies

Often overlooked, wallabies are a silent but serious pest in parts of the Bay of Plenty, Waikato, Canterbury, and South Otago. In late winter, they move down into lower elevations where pasture and forest edges offer easier access to food. Their browsing damages pasture recovery, regenerating bush, and young forestry plantings.

Look for:

Narrow wallaby trails between bush and paddocks
Patchy pasture where grazing seems uneven or stunted
Damage to native seedlings and saplings

Feral Pigs

Feral pigs stay active year-round and are particularly damaging in wet, softened soils. During August, their rooting behavior becomes easier due to rainfall, making soil damage, erosion, and pasture loss more severe. They often move under the cover of bush margins, reappearing at dawn or dusk.

Typical signs:

Uprooted grass or crops
Trampled or torn fences
Deep wallows near dams, scrub, or troughs

Feral Deer

Stags begin regrouping in August after the rut, forming small herds that graze across open paddocks and forestry blocks. At this time of year, food is limited in native bush, so deer increasingly graze on pasture and winter feed crops, competing directly with livestock.

You might notice:

Bark stripping from young trees or fenceposts
Hoofprints in damp soil around feeding areas
Crops that look shorter or browsed unevenly from the edges

Goats

Feral goats remain highly active in late winter, continuing to browse and trample through hill country, scrub, and newly planted bush areas. They are particularly destructive to young native trees and can trigger erosion by disturbing root systems on slopes.

Stoats and Mustelids

Predators like stoats, ferrets, and weasels are still hunting through August. With limited prey available in the wild, they’re more likely to approach sheds, henhouses, or outbuildings. One stoat can wipe out an entire poultry pen in a single night.

Check for:

Bite marks on poultry or game birds
Tracks or scat near sheds, water sources, or fences
Distressed livestock or strange behavior at dawn/dusk

Why You Should Act Now - Not Later

Many landowners wait until spring to think about pest control, but by then, it’s already a reactive job. In August, you have the opportunity to be proactive.

Here’s why late winter is ideal for intervention:

Low vegetation = high visibility: It’s easier to spot burrows, droppings, and grazing damage on short pasture or bare ground.
Predictable movement: Pests move less in winter but stick to reliable shelter and food zones, making it easier to find them.
Pre-breeding window: For many species, August is the start of breeding. Controlling numbers now reduces spring population spikes.
Protect your spring prep: Delaying action can lead to pasture setbacks, damaged fences, and wasted feed before lambing, calving, or planting.

What to Watch for on Your Property in August

Keep an eye out for:

Fresh digging, rooting, or wallowing in paddocks
Bark damage or stripped young trees
Droppings or tracks near water sources, feed sheds, or bush lines
Unusual noises at night or early morning
Livestock avoiding certain areas without clear reason
If you're seeing any of these, pests are already active (and likely planning to stay)

Call in the Experts Before Spring Hits

At T & C’s Pest Control Services, we specialise in understanding pest behaviour by season, terrain, and region. We know what’s active in late winter, how pests move during this time, and how to act decisively before spring makes things worse.

Our approach is tailored to rural New Zealand properties. We’ll help you assess the signs, identify target species, and put together a plan to protect your land, your animals, and your livelihood.