Pest and wasp control operations

Details of pest control activities to be carried out by DOC or Vector Free Marlborough will be posted here as we receive them.

NOTIFICATION OF IMMINENT COMMENCEMENT OF AERIAL TOXIN APPLICATION: RAINBOW POSSUM CONTROL OPERATION


Vector Free Marlborough (VFM) wishes to advise landowners and other interested parties that it will be commencing the aerial application of toxin Sodium fluoroacetate (1080) for the Rainbow possum control operation from dawn on 4/05/2024.

Aerial application of toxin Sodium fluoroacetate (1080) is expected to take a full day of flying to complete, subject to weather. Should conditions prove unsuitable, work will begin at the first opportunity thereafter. Further notification will be provided in the event of an extended delay occurring.

The Rainbow operation is being carried out on behalf of OSPRI as part of its TBfree New Zealand programme, which aims to eradicate bovine tuberculosis from wildlife vectors that pose a risk to farmed livestock in the local area.

Description of Area

The permission area for the 2024 Rainbow possum control operation takes in land in the upper Wairau catchment, from the vicinity of Lake Sedgemere downstream to Bull Paddock Flat approximately 5km east of St Arnaud Village. The eastern boundary mostly follows the St Arnaud Range and the edge of Nelson Lakes National Park. In the west the boundary mostly follows the Raglan Range and abuts Molesworth Station.

A map of the Rainbow aerial control boundary is attached on the rear of the fact sheet. (pdf 1.4 MB)

Public Access & Recreational Facilities

Rainbow road, Wairau – Hanmer Springs Hydro road, Rainbow ski field road, Bull Paddock creek track, Ronans stream track, Hamilton river route, Lee’s creek track and hut, Connors creek route and hut, Paske route and hut, Begley route and hut, and Coldwater camping ground are all within the treatment area. Public access to these facilities will be restricted while the aerial application of toxic bait takes place and afterwards until they have been inspected and cleared of most toxic baits.

Toxin warning signs will be in place at all track entrances immediately prior to the application of toxic bait.

Start Date

Control in the Rainbow treatment area is scheduled to commence from dawn on 4/05/2024, with the aerial application of toxic cereal pellets containing biodegradable Sodium fluoroacetate (1080), dyed green. In addition to aerial methods, supplemental ground control, using hand-laid 1080 pellets, may be undertaken around sensitive areas and other places unsuitable for aerial methods.
All work is weather dependent, and commencement may be later than indicated. In the event of an extended delay, further notices will be placed to advise the public. 

Bait Description

Aerial and ground control using 1080: Toxic bait - Cereal-based pellet, approximately 16 mm long, cinnamon-lured and dyed green with a toxic loading of 0.15% Sodium fluoroacetate (1080).

The aerial operation will use helicopters equipped with Global Positioning System (GPS) hardware and calibrated buckets to ensure accurate placement.

Precautions

The pesticide is poisonous to humans and domestic animals. The public are reminded of the danger that toxic baits and possum carcasses pose, particularly to children and dogs.

  • DO NOT TOUCH OR EAT BAITS
  • Children must be kept under strict supervision in the control area
  • DEADLY TO DOGS. Dogs must be kept under strict control at all times and not have access to, or be taken into, the control area, as they are particularly susceptible to harm from contact with toxic baits and poisoned carcasses. The risk that poisoned carcasses pose to dogs may extend downstream of the control area.
  • Toxin warning signs will be installed at main public entry points and the public are reminded that it is an offence to remove this warning signage. Please follow the instructions on the signs.
  • Game animals should not be sold or taken for eating from within or adjacent to this area until it is declared clear of pesticides.

If you suspect poisoning

Contact your local hospital, or dial 111
National Poisons Centre 0800 POISON - 0800 764 766
In the case of a domestic animal being poisoned, contact a local veterinarian