Region ready to wipe out wasps

Wasp Wipeout Week is upon us with a warm, dry weather forecast providing optimum conditions to start community bait operations.

The two-month Wasp Wipeout campaign culminates with coordinated wasp control operations across the Nelson region.

The widespread control is expected to significantly reduce common and German wasp populations in many of the region’s popular recreation and conservation areas, giving native wildlife a chance to recover and making them safer for people to enjoy.

Wasp Wipeout supporters helped to raise more than $50,000 to fund the set-up and maintenance costs of many of these operations.

Baiting in Abel Tasman National Park started last week and most other operations will get underway from Monday.

Rain on Saturday prevented baiting on the scheduled start date of February 18.

However, the forecast this week was for warm, dry, overcast conditions ideal for targeting invasive wasps.

The Department of Conservation, Tasman Environment Trust, Project Janszoon and other conservation groups are coordinating operations in 24 locations.

TET manager Al Check said the community buy-in to the campaign had been excellent.

‘‘There’s been an increase in awareness and in people wanting to be involved. People are talking about it across the board.’’

He said that was reflected in the contributions which had been received, reaching the funding target, as well as the number of people who had volunteered to help.

More than 250 people have registered their interest to volunteer.

Community operations in streets and backyards would also get under way this week.