FAQ's

1080 (sodium fluoroacetate) is a poison that is mixed into baits and used to control a range of pests, especially possums, rats and stoats. 1080 is biodegradable and does not build up in the food chain. The active component of the poison occurs naturally in many plants found in Western Australia and parts of Africa. These plants evolved the poison as a defence against browsing animals.

The main threat to many of New Zealand’s native plants and animals is introduced pests such as possums, rats and stoats. New Zealand has no native land mammals (except for native bats, which are not affected by 1080), so our ecology is especially vulnerable to the effects of these introduced pests. 1080 is very effective at controlling these pests. It can be applied aerially, which is the only practical way to control pests over large areas of rugged terrain. This also makes it the most cost effective method of pest control available.

When correctly applied, 1080 is very effective. One aerial application can kill over 95% of possums and close to 100% of rats in the targeted area, although rat numbers can bounce back in one or two years. 

However, birds and other native species can benefit greatly from having one or two good breeding seasons without large-scale predation by rats.

1080 can also kill other predators like stoats and feral cats after they feed on the bodies of rats that have been killed by 1080.

No.

1080 is biodegradable and quickly breaks down into non-toxic by-products. Trials in streams showed 90 percent of 1080 was leached from baits within 24 hours. Monitoring of public water supplies has never shown contamination by 1080.

In soil, 1080 can break down in one to two weeks in warm moist conditions, although it can sometimes take several months in extremely dry and cold conditions. Most operations are done in wet winter or spring conditions which encourages the rapid breakdown of the baits.

Dogs will be required to stay out of the operational area for up to 6-months. 

1080 is carefully targeted to possums and rats, but dogs are extremely vulnerable to poisoning for both behavioural and biological reasons. Dogs tend to roam and scavenge, which makes the possibility of them ingesting 1080 higher than for other animals.

Most reported dog deaths are not from ingesting 1080 bait, but from poisoned carcases. This is because:

• 1080 can persist in possum carcasses until they have fully decomposed, which is expected to take three to five - six months dependant on weather conditions.

• Poisoned possums may have travelled outside of the operational area before dying or possum carcases may wash downstream out of an operational area.

Read our "Protecting your dog from 1080" factsheet under the important documents Tab for more information.