Vector Control Services
Vector Control Services provides biosecurity and vertebrate pest management services to protect New Zealand's primary industries sector and natural environment. Our experienced team deliver aerial control, ground control and animal surveillance operations across New Zealand. To find out more about VCS please contact info@vcs.net.nz
Aerial Control Operations
Karamea Aerial Possum Control 2023 Update
The toxic application was completed on the 21st and 22nd of August.
Warning signs will be installed at public entry points and throughout the area. Possum carcass and bait monitoring will occur to determine when the area is toxic free. Please treat the area with caution until monitoring results have determined there is no further risk and all warning signs have been removed.
Karamea Aerial Possum Control 2023
OSPRI as part of its TB eradication programme are proposing to undertake control of possums in the Karamea area. This control will be in the form of an aerial application of Sodium fluoroacetate [1080] in cereal pellet form to approximately 29, 000 hectares from Ngakawau Gorge in the south to Kohaihai River to the north. OSPRI has contracted Vector Control Services (VCS) to manage and undertake the planned operation. (see map).
Karamea aerial possum control is targeting possums as part of OSPRI’s working towards TB eradication. This work supports ground work control programmes in the area and livestock testing. To achieve Proof of Freedom from TB, possum numbers must be kept low for several years.
The operation will have additional conservation benefits for native birds and bush. Our work adjoins larger predator control operations planned by DOC in 2023, these lay to the east to the east and will support the protection of native wildlife like whio, great spotted kiwi, kaka, powelliphanta land snails and long tailed bats.
This operation is planned for May and June 2023.
Warning signs will be installed at public entry points and throughout the area. Possum carcass and bait monitoring will occur to determine when the area is toxic free. Please treat the area with caution until monitoring results have determined there is no further risk and all warning signs have been removed.
Landsborough Aerial Possum Control 2024
The Department of Conservation, as part of its Predator Control programme, is proposing to undertake control of rats, stoats and possums in the Landsborough area. This control will be in the form of an aerial application of Sodium fluoroacetate [1080] in cereal pellet form to approximately 33,672 hectares encompassing the Landsborough, Clarke and Macfarlane River Valleys. This area is considered as important for protection of Mohua/yellowhead and Kaka. Other threatened species within the forests are in some trouble, including the Kakariki, Pīwauwau/rock wren, and Pekapeka/bats. Scarlet mistletoe is under browse threat from possums. This work will enhance populations of these threatened species by reducing rat, stoat and possum populations.
Paparoa Range and Te Wharau Aerial Possum Control 2023 Update
The toxic application was completed on the 1st , 2nd and 3rd of August 2023
Warning signs will be installed at public entry points and throughout the area. Possum carcass and bait monitoring will occur to determine when the area is toxic free. Please treat the area with caution until monitoring results have determined there is no further risk and all warning signs have been removed.
Paparoa Range and Te Wharau Aerial Possum Control 2023
Paparoa Range and Te Wharau Aerial Possum Control is a joint possum and predator control operation between OSPRI and the Department of Conservation. This collaboration will increase the effectiveness and efficiency of achieving their respective objectives: OSPRI, to eradicate TB and DOC, to protect native plants and wildlife.
This control will be in the form of an aerial application of Sodium fluoroacetate [1080] in cereal pellet form to approximately 47,400 hectares from Mt Pecksniff and the head waters of Big River in the south to Buller River to the north. OSPRI and DOC have contracted Vector Control Services (VCS) to manage and undertake the planned operation. (see map).
Paparoa aerial possum control is targeting possums as part of OSPRI’s working towards TB eradication. This work supports ground work control programmes in the area and livestock testing. To achieve Proof of Freedom from TB, possum numbers must be kept low for several years.
The Paparoa Range is a valuable site for DOC. It consists of podocarp and beech forest as well as alpine tussock. It is home to vulnerable native species including Roroa/great spotted kiwi. Predator control will increase the survival rate of vulnerable native species in the region. An example is monitoring in 2017 in Northern Paparoa Range showed 100% of roroa chicks were predated by stoats.
This operation is planned from July 2023.
Warning signs will be installed at public entry points and throughout the area. Possum carcass and bait monitoring will occur to determine when the area is toxic free. Please treat the area with caution until monitoring results have determined there is no further risk and all warning signs have been removed
Ground Control Operations
Inchbonnie and Rotomanu – 2022/2023 Ground Possum Control Operation
The Inchbonnie and Rotomanu control operation is currently set to start approximately on the 13th of March 2023.
Please treat the area with caution until the warning signs are removed. Please read and comply with any warning sings present.
Taramakau – 2023/2024 Ground Possum Control Operation
The Taramakaucontrol operation is currently set to start approximately on the 1st of July 2023.
Please treat the area with caution until the warning signs are removed. Please read and comply with any warning sings present.
Bell Hill – 2023/2024 Ground Possum Control Operation
The Bell Hill control operation is currently set to start approximately on the 1st of July 2023.
Please treat the area with caution until the warning signs are removed. Please read and comply with any warning sings present.
Grey Valley East - 2023/24 Ground Possum Control Operation
The Grey Valley East ground control operation is currently set to start approximately on the 25 of September 2023
Please treat this area with caution until the warning signs have been removed. Please read and comply with any warning signs present.
The Grey Valley North Ground Control Operation 2023
The Grey Valley North ground control operation is set to start approximately on the 9th of October 2023
Please treat this area with caution until the warning signs have been removed. Please read and comply with any warning signs present.
The Marsden West Ground Control Operation 2023/24
The Marsden West ground control operation is set to start approximately on the 1st of November 2023
Please treat this area with caution until the warning signs have been removed. Please read and comply with any warning signs present.