We will add further questions and answers as people contact us on specific issues related to the control operation.
On this page
Q. Is this sort of control done elsewhere in New Zealand?
A. Yes, many of the bigger cities around the country – Wellington, Hamilton and Auckland - have had similar programmes in place for some years. These have been highly successful in restoring bush and birds in urban areas which is something we can look forward to.
Q. Who is doing it? Will Regional Council staff be doing the work?
A. A contractor, Rural Pest Services, and their staff will be doing the work on the ground on behalf of Hawke's Bay Regional Council. However the Regional Council Is involved in the planning and managing the contract. The contractor’s staff will carry ID on them so you can identify them when they visit.
Q. Do I have to have possum control on my property?
A. You do not have to have possum control on your property if you do not want to. However the success of the programme will depend on the level of community support. The contractors have a range of control options and we recommend that you discuss with them which techniques would best suit your circumstances.
Q. I live in another suburb and have a possum problem, so when are you coming to do some control work in my area?
A. The Council aims to do similar control work in other suburbs in coming years. Meantime you can do your own control if you wish. You can purchase a Timms trap at Farmlands with a 50% subsidy and you can contact our biosecurity team for advice.
Q. Will the methods used harm my children?
A. All possible care is taken to ensure that all methods used are placed so they will not affect or harm your children. A skilled contractor will talk to you to assess your individual property requirements with you, which can include stations being set out of the reach of young children.
Q. Will the methods used affect my pets?
A. The contractors will use the most suitable techniques to minimise any risk to your pets. These techniques have already been used safely and effectively in other major urban areas such as Wellington. You can choose methods on your property that best suits your circumstances.
Q. Will the possums suffer from the methods used?
A. The methods used for this programme meet humane standards for the control of possums under the animal welfare act.
Q. What happens to the possums caught on my property?
A. All possums caught will be removed from private property and disposed of appropriately at an approved dump site.
Q. What bait is being used and how safe is it?
A. The contractors will use brodifacoum bait which is a proven poison for possums. As with any chemical or poison homeowners should treat it with caution, but the contractors will aim to keep the bait stations out of reach of children. A child would need to eat a huge amount (5Kg) of bait for a lethal dose but small amounts can still affect health. The risks to cats and dogs is quite low, but owners should take care to ensure that pets do not have access to the baits or the carcasses.
For more information on this bait you can read the Greater Wellington Regional Council fact sheet.
Q. Is there an antidote to the toxin Brodifocoum?
A. Yes, in the very unlikely event of a pet accessing Brodifocoum, a simple injection administered by a veterinarian of vitamin K is the antidote. Symptoms are listlessness, pale gums and bleeding from the gums.
Q. Who should I contact if I have any concerns about my pet’s health?
A. In the first instance you should contact your usual vet – vets in Napier have been advised about the control and the antidotes required. You should also contact the biosecurity team at Hawke's Bay Regional Council with your concerns so we can alert the contractor - phone Dean Roughton on 833 8088.
Q. Will this possum control cost me anything?
A. No, there is no extra cost or rates for this part of the urban possum control programme. Funds have been set aside for this by the Regional Council.
Q. Can the contractor enter my property without my permission?
A. No, the contractor will require your written permission before any work can be started on your property.
Q. How long will the contractor need to be on my property?
A. Normally the contractor will need to be on your property for a few minutes each day for 1 –2 weeks while he is operating the traps.
Q. How will I know that the person I’m talking to is the contractor asking for permission onto my property?
A. The contractor and his staff will be carrying photo ID that will carry the Regional Council logo on it. Their vehicles will be marked with their company name. In addition a photo of the contractor and his staff will be circulated to all residents within the control area just before they start work.
If you have specific enquiries not covered in these FAQs please refer to the following:
About work being done on a residential property during the operation Feb- Jun 09
- contact the contractor Rural Pest Services using the information they supplied when they visited and gained your permission, and give them your address details.
About the Council’s role in any operation or general questions not related to the actual work on the ground
- contact Dean Roughton in the Biosecurity team at Hawke's Bay Regional Council on 833 8088.