Elements and Performance Criteria
- Identify vertebrate pests' species and prepare a poison baiting program
- Identify the pest animal species and abundance in target area
- Assess the type, availability and mode of action of poison for control of pest animal species in target area
- Identify key aspects of pest animal species ecology, habitat use and control program objectives to determine the timing and extent of baiting program
- Assess public health, safety hazards, risks and regulatory restrictions for control options
- Assess environmental conditions and off target risk for control options
- Select appropriate control option, baiting technique, poison and delivery method appropriate for target pest species, location and landscape
- Prepare baiting program to maximise pest animal control objectives according to legislative and regulatory requirements
- Determine monitoring and reporting protocols to evaluate effectiveness of baiting program according to legislative and regulatory requirements
- Obtain and confirm approvals for accessing and using poison baits
- Identify necessary approvals and notification requirements for the location of the baiting program and poison use according to legislative and regulatory requirements and toxin/poison label requirements
- Access and complete documentation to gain approvals for use of poisons and baits according to workplace procedures and legislative and regulatory requirements
- Ensure approvals have been granted, received and filed according to workplace procedures and legislative and regulatory requirements
- Notify stakeholders of intended baiting program according to workplace procedures and legislative and regulatory requirements
- Prepare, transport and store baits
- Determine the type of bait, quantity and dose rate of poison for the pest control program according to poison label and legislative and regulatory requirements
- Select, ensure serviceability, fit and use personal protective equipment for baits according to chemical label and safety data sheets (SDS)
- Select suitable location to prepare poison bait according to workplace procedures and legislative and regulatory requirements, codes of practice or guidelines
- Prepare bait for the target species, bait substrate/material and poison according to label and legislative and regulatory requirements
- Transport poisons and prepared baits according to legislative and regulatory requirements
- Prepare baits for storage according to baiting program requirements, type of bait and legislative and regulatory requirements
- Store the treated baits safety according to workplace procedures, legislative and regulatory requirements and poison label directions
- Clean and decontaminate bait preparation and distribution equipment according to operator instructions, SDS and legislative and regulatory requirements
- Distribute and monitor baits in target area
- Monitor and assess weather conditions and forecasts to ensure effective conditions for baiting to proceed
- Ensure notifications have been communicated and signage installed prior to baiting program according to legislative and regulatory requirements
- Identify health and safety hazards and risks and implement controls when handling and distributing baits according to workplace procedures, poison label directions and SDS
- Distribute baits in target area to maximise target pest access and minimise off target risk according to label directions and baiting program
- Monitor bait uptake and control outcomes in a timely manner according to baiting program requirements, poison label directions and legislative and regulatory requirements
- Clean up and dispose of baits according to poison label instructions, workplace procedures and legislative and regulatory requirements
- Recording and reporting on outcomes of baiting program