Why possums are a problem

Possums are a pest in New Zealand. They eat the native bush and destroy ecosystems. They can also spread tuberculosis, which has a huge financial impact on the dairy and beef industries.

Current methods of control

Possums are currently controlled through trapping and poisoning (using mainly 1080). These methods are very costly and in the case of poisoning, not specific to possums.

What is biological control?

Video: Biocontrol and the importance of species specificity (V0057)

Biological control, or biocontrol, is the use of a living organism, or the product of a living organism, to control the numbers of another organism, usually a pest. Biocontrol can be defined in several ways, to find out more:

Get information sheet: Terms and definitions: Possum biocontrol

Biocontrol methods are:

• sustainable, having ongoing, permanent effects
• specific to the species being controlled.

Methods of biocontrol

Scientists in New Zealand are exploring several biocontrol methods for reducing possum numbers. These include using toxins or vaccines against possum fertility. A couple of examples are given below:

Get information sheet: Hormone-toxins to reduce possum fertility

Get information sheet: Vaccines to reduce possum fertility

There are a number of ways biocontrol agents, like toxins or vaccines, can be delivered to possums. We need to consider the advantages and disadvantages of each method of delivery before we decide which option to use.

Get information sheet: Delivering biocontrol agents to possums

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