Wasp Control Product Launched

Wasp Control Product Launched

Merchento, a Nelson-based company, has announced the public release of Vespex®, a bait designed specifically for the control of wasps. Lead developer, Richard Toft, says that the baiting system was developed in conjunction with the Department of Conservation and a pilot programme using the bait on conservation land earlier this year produced excellent results.

"The bait was able to reduce wasp numbers by more more than 95% in forests that were previously seething with wasps," he said.

Wasps are a big issue for New Zealand, with a recent analysis indicating they cost the economy in excess of $130 million per year. The launch of Vespex is a significant breakthrough in the battle against wasps, because it is currently the only available tool forcost-effective management of wasp populations across wide areas.

"Wasp control has largely been limited to people locating nests and then applying an insecticide directly to the entrance. With Vespex, the wasps take the insecticide back to the nest themselves," says Toft.

Vespex is deployed using a grid of bait stations and typically only needs a single application each year, with any uneaten bait removed from the environment after a week. A key feature of the bait is that it has nothing remotely attractive to bees.

Good stewardship controls for the product and the way it is to be used has been critical to getting the product to the point where it can now be used more widely. These controls mean that the bait will only be available to approved users, who have passed an online training test, but these people are then able to manage wasp baiting operations for others.

Last month, Mr Toft was awarded a Conservation Innovation grant of $25,000 by World Wildlife Fund NZ, specifically for the development of Vespex.

"Winning this award has been very instrumental in enabling us to get Vespex to the market in time for the coming wasp season," said Mr Toft.

Judging by early responses to the development of Vespex, this product is sorely needed by community groups, beekeepers, forestry companies, farmers, vineyards, and recreation groups, as well as a wide variety of conservation projects. Mr Toft has also had a number of enquiries from overseas, but says the first priority will be meeting the New Zealand demand.

ENDS

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