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 Wangapeka predator control non-toxic prefeed aerial operation

Vector Free Marlborough (VFM) wishes to advise landowners and other interested parties that it will be commencing the aerial application of non-toxic prefeed bait to the Wangapeka project area from dawn on 14/02/2025.

Aerial application of non-toxic prefeed bait is expected to take up to two days 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.

Non-toxic prefeed bait will be aerially applied onto tracks in the Wangapeka block. Although tracks will not be closed, we recommend that visitors do not use the tracks until the prefeed operation is complete. People entering the area while the operation takes place should exercise care when aircraft pass overhead as prefeed bait may be aerially sown without warning. As a precaution do not look up when aircraft are passing overhead.

The Wangapeka operation is being carried out on behalf of the Department of Conservation to control a range of introduced predators threatening vulnerable native species. Additional information and maps of the project area may be obtained from the VFM website or by contacting VFM directly.

Description of Area

The Wangapeka treatment area comprises of one block and is approximately 74,238 ha of public land managed by the Department of Conservation. The block is centred on the Wangapeka River South Branch. It is bounded generally by the Karamea Rivers to the north-west, and Allen River, Mokihinui River North Branch, Haystack Creek and The Haystack to the west. The southern extent of the block terminates near The Haystack, McConchies Hut and Johnston Creeks headwaters, Frying Pan Saddle, and upper Owen River, staying north of the Owen Valley. The eastern boundary follows the Lookout Range and the Arthur Range from Mt Sodom. The northern extent of the block terminates just south of Baton Saddle.

A map of the Wangapeka aerial control boundary is attached on the rear of the fact sheet. Read the fact sheet for the map and more details. (pdf 1.1 MB)

Bait Description

  • Prefeed - non-toxic cereal-based pellet, approximately 16mm long, cinnamon-lured, non-dyed (straw coloured)

Further notification will be provided prior to the aerial application of toxin beginning. Note, toxin application will not take place during the school holidays or on public holiday weekends.

Notification of Wangapeka predator control aerial operation

Vector Free Marlborough (VFM) wishes to advise the public of its intention to aerially apply the toxin Sodium fluoroacetate (1080) to the Wangapeka project area for the purpose of controlling possums, stoats, and rats in the Kahurangi National Park from 10 February 2025.

The operation is being carried out by Vector Free Marlborough (VFM) on behalf of the Department of Conservation (DOC) to protect vulnerable native species from introduced predators.

Description of area

The block is centred on the Wangapeka River South Branch. It is bounded generally by the Karamea Rivers to the north-west, and Allen River, Mokihinui River North Branch, Haystack Creek and The Haystack to the west. The southern extent of the block terminates near The Haystack, McConchies Hut and Johnston Creeks headwaters, Frying Pan Saddle, and upper Owen River, staying north of the Owen Valley. The eastern boundary follows the Lookout Range and the Arthur Range from Mt Sodom. The northern extent of the block terminates just south of Baton Saddle.

Read the fact sheet for the map and more details. (pdf 1.1 MB)

Public access and recreational facilities

Public access to the treatment area is provided by road, as well as a large number of back-country tracks and associated facilities managed by DOC.

Huts and other back-country accommodation will generally be excluded from bait application during the application of toxic bait to each block, although a number of very low-use sites may be over-sown subject to occupancy and consent conditions, in which case VFM field operatives will be onsite to inspect for and recover toxic baits from open areas afterward.

The affected sections of tracks will be restricted to public access whilst the aerial application of toxic bait takes place. While toxic bait is applied, even though facilities are listed as closed on the DOC website, affected facilities will have any water supplies disconnected and be provided with alternative drinking water supplies in accordance with Public Health Permit conditions, along with warning signs in place before the operation commences.

Toxin warning signs will be in place at all track entrances immediately prior to the application of toxic bait. Advisory signage will also be installed at key sites prior to non-toxic prefeed application.

Dates

Subject to favourable weather, control is planned to commence from 10 February 2025, with the aerial application of non-toxic, cereal pre-feed pellets. This will be followed approximately 7-10 days later by the aerial application of bait containing biodegradable sodium fluoroacetate (1080). 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 control using 1080:

  • Pre-feed - Non-toxic cereal-based pellet, approximately 16 mm long, cinnamon-lured and non-dyed (sandy coloured).
  • Toxic bait - Cereal-based pellet, approximately 20 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

Notification of annual wasp control operation - Nelson Lakes District 

The Department of Conservation is intending to carry out wasp control for biodiversity restoration and staff/visitor safety purposes in mid-late January or early February 2025

Read the factsheet with maps (pdf 1.6 MB).

As in many previous wasp control operations in the Nelson Lakes area, the toxic bait Vespex (active ingredient Fipronil 0.1%) will be used. Fipronil is a highly effective insecticide that is not toxic to birds or mammals, and the bait has a protein base so it is not attractive to bees. Poison bait is also dyed green to discourage bait take from non-target species.

Approximately 20 g of bait will be placed in bait station within the Rotoiti Nature Recovery Project (RNRP) Mainland Island and St Arnaud township, as well as at key recreation sites to protect the public and DOC staff from wasp stings and the resulting risk of allergic reactions.

These sites are Travers Sabine Track, Lakehead Hut, Coldwater hut, Sabine hut, D’Urville hut, Kawatiri Junction, Rotoroa Campsite, Hope Saddle viewpoint, Maruia Falls viewpoint, the Skyline track (~1km west of Murchison) and on Teetotal mountain bike tracks including, Duck Down (top) via Rocky Horror, Flying Moa, Kaka, and Rattler Rim/Skating Pond Loop/Village Link.

All remaining bait the wasps haven’t taken will be removed from these stations after three to eight days. All waste bait is disposed of through the appropriate facility.

Warning notices will be placed at entry points to the control areas. All bait stations will be placed at least 1.5 m above the ground to exclude pets and small children.