How to identify pest animals and plants

Tools for plant and animal identification

These tools can help you identify a pest plant or animal:

- Start with our pest search tool. Use the 'Select a type of pest' filter to narrow your search, for example birds, climbers or vines.
- Use Google Lens on your mobile device to compare a photo of the plant or animal with online results. Enabling location services may improve identification accuracy.
- If you're still unsure, consider joining iNaturalist NZ - an online platform that compares your observations and photos against a large database. Its community of experts can also help confirm identifications. The getting started information is helpful if you're new to iNaturalist.

Once you've identified the species, visit pest search to learn how to manage it and whether it should be reported to Auckland Council or another authority.

Pest plant identification

Forest & Bird's Weed Control Guide has photos of common Auckland and Northland pest plants.

The key to New Zealand weed species identifies 650+ weeds and can be found on the Bioeconomy Science Institute / Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research Group website. Read the help using LUCID keys webpage first.

Pest search also includes information on major plant diseases such as kauri dieback, myrtle rust and Dutch elm disease.

Pest animal identification

For pest animals, you can also use monitoring tools to identify what is present in your area:

- Tracking cards and tunnels - Gotcha Traps have great information on their website called What made these tracks? to help you identify footprints.

- Chew cards - a cheap and effective tool.

Visit the responsible pet ownership section for information on pet dogs, cats, turtles, other reptiles, fish and birds.

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