Possum control is a relatively new industry that has emerged in New Zealand after the collapse of the once lucrative fur industry. The possum is not unique to New Zealand but was originally introduced from Australia and has since become a serious pest, causing severe defoliation of the native and exotic forests and also carrying and spreading Bovine TB, which puts the nationally important beef export industry into jeopardy.

Pestnet Contractors are involved in possum control operations throughout the Westland region. Much of the work is on land adjacent to farmland where possums are known to carry Bovine Tuberculosis. The work is performance based contracts and payment is only made after a stringent monitoring programme is carried out by Regional Council staff. When fur markets are buoyant it is also feasible to collect skins or plucked fur for sale.
The most reliable way to achieve these targets is by setting up baitststions containing either Cyanide paste or 1080 pellets, or when poison shyness is a problem, using traps

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