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Pest control guidelines

Effective pest control requires a good understanding of the target and the method being used.

 

 

Before attempting to control anything, ask yourself the following questions:

Is this method going to effectively control the pest? And if it is an animal, is this method humane?
  • Controlling a pest can be time consuming and labour intensive, so you need to make sure the method that you use is appropriate and effective.
  • If controlling animal pests, ensure the control method is NAWAC (National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee) approved, and humane.
  • All live capture traps must be checked within 12 hours after sunrise every day that each trap is set.
  • Ministry for Primary Industries: Guidelines for animal welfare 
Is this method going to work at this time of year?
  • Some pests can only be targeted, or are best controlled, at certain times of year, others can be controlled year round. In general, pest plants can only be effectively controlled when they are actively growing.
  • Knowing when the best time to control your target pest is an important consideration to the success of the control operation.
  • Different herbicides are required for some pest plants at different times of year.
  • Use motorised control equipment (e.g. gun and hose sprayer, boom sprayer) often require notification of neighbours and/or public, if spraying near a boundary or public place.
What will happen to the site post-control? Do I need to consider non-target damage?
  • Survey the site for desirable species before undertaking control, and understand if the planned control method will damage or kill them as well.
  • After you control the pest, what will happen to the site? If left unmanaged, often other invasive species will colonise the site before desirable native species.
  • Will I require follow-up treatments? If so, you may want to think carefully about when a site is replanted, as ongoing control could also kill restoration plantings.
  • Can the pest be shaded out by desirable species long-term to suppress its growth? This could be a viable alternative to chemical control.
Do I have the experience, qualifications, permissions and equipment (including PPE) to legally and safely use this method of control?
  • Do I have landowner permission to undertake the control? This is a legal requirement.
  • Do I have the appropriate qualifications and permissions to use the chemical in that setting? (Use over water requires EPA [Environmental Protection Authority] permission, certain VTAs [Vertebrate Toxic Agents] require Controlled Substance Licences).
  • Can I do the work safely? Do I have all the appropriate equipment, signage and PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) to ensure that both myself and others are kept safe?
  • Do I have the appropriate experience and/or training to use the agrichemical via the selected application method? If not, further training should be undertaken; or engage a suitably experienced control contractor to undertake the control work instead.

WARNING: If you suspect poisoning has occurred to a non-target species such as pets or children, seek medical advice immediately. For urgent medical assistance, ring 111, or for animals your local vet. For advice on suspected mild effects, call the National Poison Centre on 0800 764 766. 

Using pesticides or herbicides when undertaking pest control

When using any herbicide or pesticide, PLEASE READ THE LABEL THOROUGHLY to ensure that all instructions and safety requirements are followed.

To ensure safety the following principles should be applied:

  • Always read the label carefully and follow the instructions exactly.
  • Dispose of unwanted herbicides / pesticides and their empty containers properly.
  • Select the right herbicide / pesticide for the job.
  • Buy the right amount, and transport and store pesticides safely.
  • Take appropriate precaution when preparing and applying herbicide / pesticides.

A professional is recommended if an infestation requires insecticide.

WARNING: If you suspect poisoning has occurred to a non-target species such as pets or children, seek medical advice immediately. For urgent medical assistance, ring 111, or for animals your local vet. For advice on suspected mild effects, call the National Poison Centre on 0800 764 766. 

Live capture cage trap

  • Feral Cats
  • Possums
  • Eastern Rosella
  • Magpies
  • Plague Skink (Pitfall traps)

A person who, for the purpose of capturing alive a mammal, bird, reptile, or amphibian, sets a trap or causes a trap to be set must inspect the trap, or cause a competent person to inspect that trap, within 12 hours after sunrise on each day the trap remains set, beginning on the day immediately after the day on which the trap is set.

Caution: When using live capture traps please ensure that all instructions, safety requirements and laws (in particular the Animal Welfare Act 1999) are followed. It is an offence under the Biosecurity act 1993 to release captured pest animals listed in the Regional pest management plan 2020-2030, and these pests need to be destroyed humanely as per the animal welfare act 1999. Non target captured animals need to be released without harm.

NAWAC approved kill trap

  • Possums
  • Rats and Wild mice
  • Mustelids

CAUTION: NAWAC (National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee) approved kill traps need to be set as per the manufacturers guidelines. When using kill traps please ensure that all instructions, safety requirements and laws (in particular the Animal Welfare Act 1999) are followed.

MPI Guidelines on trap use

When using firearms, all users must have a firearms licence and adhere to all acts and laws such as the Arms Act 1983.

The seven rules of firearm use must be observed at all times.

Vertebrate Toxic Agents (VTA’s)

AT ALL TIMES, PEST CONTROL OPERATORS IN CONTROL OF A VTA MUST:

  1. Hold licences or certificates as required (or be under the direct supervision of a licence holder).
  2. Comply with product label directions.
  3. Have the relevant Safety Data Sheet (SDS) available.

If you are undertaking a pest control operation that requires the use of certain VTAs, you may need a permission from the Department of Conservation and/or the Public Health Unit (PHU) of the local District Health Board. 

If you are using a VTA that requires a permission from the PHU, you will need to make an application on the approved application form, available from the Ministry of Health.  

You will need a permission from DOC to use any VTA on land administered or managed by DOC. To obtain this Permission, contact your local Department of Conservation office.  

Safety precautions for VTA use:

  • Bait stations and bait must be isolated from Children, pets and stock.
  • WARNING: If you suspect poisoning has occurred to a non-target species such as pets or children, seek medical advice immediately. For urgent medical assistance, ring 111, or for animals your local vet. For advice on suspected mild effects, call the National Poison Centre on 0800 764 766. 
  • Warning signs must be erected at main access point to public areas, warning signs are recommended for operations on private land.
  • Use of some products may require separate permissions and training, and MPI should be contacted for further information.
  • Whether it be fast acting toxins like 1080 or cyanide, or accumulation anticoagulants such as Pindone or Bromadialone, they all work in specific ways and there are antidotes for some VTA’s. It is essential to that all label instructions on storage, use and disposal of VTA’s are adhered to, and all permissions and legal requirements are met and implemented on any VTA operation.
  • Residues can remain in feral game depending on the toxin used. It is recommended that MPI is contacted to ascertain the timeframes associated with each toxin operation for application and signage.

What are VTA’s? 

Using VTA’s 

PredaSTOP™ and products containing PAPP (para-aminopriopiophenone)

Animals controlled: Feral Cats and Mustelids

  • Requires approved handlers and a controlled substance licence with an endorsement for PAPP, to purchase and use PredaSTOP™ and other products containing PAPP.
  • Notifications are required to surrounding landowners before an application takes place.
  • Formal permissions are only required to use PredaSTOP™ and products containing PAPP on land administered by the Department of Conservation, however it is advisable that the local council and DoC are contacted at least 3 months before application to discuss the proposed operation on any lands.
  • All persons in possession of PredaSTOP™ must have a CSL endorsed for PAPP and as such should understand the legal responsibilities around transporting, storing and handling PredaSTOP™.

You can read further information on predaSTOP and PAPP in the best practice guidelines for the use of PredaSTOP™ for feral cat control.

Narcotic (Alphachloralose)

All specific regulations and laws must be adhered to, all label instructions followed, and permissions and licences obtained to purchase and use Alphachloralose. 

Signage

  • Signage Warning signs must be erected at prominent places around the perimeter of the treated area prior to the placement of toxic baits.
  • Warning signs must remain in place at least one month after any remaining toxic baits are retrieved from bait stations or from the end date of the control operation if all toxic baits have been consumed during the operation.
  • Warning signs must be visible from 10 metres away and an example sign on Department of Conservation website illustrates the required information which includes a picture of the bait, the dates when toxic baits will be present at the site and the contact details of the person responsible for undertaking the operation.
  • At the end of the operation any remaining toxic baits must be removed and disposed of in accordance with the product label. The control area should be treated with caution for one month after toxic baits are removed or from the end date of the control operation if all toxic baits have been consumed during the operation.

Fumigants are considered separately from other VTAs. Fumigants are commonly used in the vertebrate pest control industry for control of rabbits in burrows. If there is more than 3 kg of the substance under the personal control of an approved handler, then notification, storage and signage requirements apply.

You do not require an Approved Handler certificate when you have less than 3kg of the substance under your control. Notification must be given not less than 24 hours prior to the commencement of fumigation to the nearest Communications Centre of the New Zealand Fire Service if:

  • the fumigation is undertaken on, or adjacent to, land that is close to or adjoins a private dwelling, school, playing field or reserve, or any amenity area, or area where the public may lawfully be present; OR
  • the risk area may encroach on any such land or area; and
  • occupier in charge of the place.

Signage is required on land where members of the public may lawfully be present and signs must be erected at the perimeter of the risk area that:

  • are able to be readily seen by a person approaching the risk area; and state that fumigation is being carried out; and
  • identify the substance being used and state that it is toxic to humans; and
  • describe the general type of hazard associated with the substance; and
  • If the substance is flammable, describe the precautions necessary to prevent unintended ignition of the substance.

Each sign must:

  • Comply with regulation 34(1), (2), and (4), and regulation 35(1), (3), and (5) of the Hazardous Substances (Identification) Regulations 2001, and;
  • Be readable from a distance of at least 10 metres; and
  • Identify the person in charge of the fumigation and provide sufficient information to enable the person to be contacted during normal business hours; and
  • State the day on which the fumigation commenced; and
  • State the actions that must be taken in an emergency; and
  • Be removed immediately on the completion of fumigation.

You will need a Location Test Certificate if you are using and/or storing more than 3 kg of flammable fumigants.

WARNING: If you suspect poisoning has occurred to a non-target species such as pets or children, seek medical advice immediately. For urgent medical assistance, ring 111, or for animals your local vet. For advice on suspected mild effects, call the National Poison Centre on 0800 764 766. 

Links to information on operational planning for Animal pest Operations:

Further information on animal pest control with firearms, toxins and traps:

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Regional Pest Management Plan user guide

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