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 aerial non-toxic pre-feed application - St Arnaud Range predator control 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 for the St Arnaud Range predator control aerial operation from Dawn on 10 April 2025.

Aerial application of non-toxic prefeed bait is expected to take one 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.

Description of Area 

The St Arnaud Range project area is in Nelson Lakes National Park and Howard Conservation Area.

The project area takes in the western side of the St Arnaud Range adjoining Lake Rotoiti and includes the greater part of the Travers Valley. The Sabine Valley will be treated along with the Speargrass Valley up to the eastern side of Lake Rotoroa. The upper altitudinal limit of toxin application will depend on the presence of snow at the time.

The nearest settlement is St Arnaud Village, which is located approximately one kilometre from the edge of the operational area.

A map of the St Arnaud Range aerial control boundary is attached on the rear of the fact sheet. (pdf 1.2 MB) (pdf, 1.2 MB)

Public access and recreational facilities

Non-toxic prefeed bait will be aerially applied onto tracks in the St Arnaud Range operational area. 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 the aircraft are passing overhead.

DOC huts identified in the operational area are Relax and Bush Hedge Shelters, Bushline Hut, Coldwater Hut, Lakehead Hut, Angelus Hut, Hopeless Hut, John Tait Hut, Cupola Hut, Upper Travers Hut, West Sabine Hut, Sabine Hut, and Speargrass Hut. Private infrastructure identified in the operational area are the Mt Robert Foundation Buildings, and Kea Hut.

Advisory signage will be in place at track entrances immediately prior to the application of the prefeed bait.

Commencement date

Control in the St Arnaud Range operational area is scheduled to commence from Dawn on 10 April 2025, with the aerial application of non-toxic cereal prefeed pellets. This will be followed approximately 7-10 days later by the aerial application of bait 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 non-toxic pre-feed:

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

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