22/09/2026
Lately I have been very busy running pig trapping and baiting programs for land holders in the Upper Lachlan Shire NSW.
Targeting feral pigs that were damaging water courses and Fox control using 1080 meat baits.
Baiting is a great and cost effective method that is available to control fox numbers especially when followed up with shooting and trapping methods.
It is also a very safe method that is run in strict accordance to the PCO (pest control order) which dictates how 1080 products are used such as neighbour notifications, signage and installation, bait distance restrictions and disposal etc.
Our native wildlife have a natural immunity to the active 1080 ingredient (Sodium fluoroacetate) which is found in the native gastrolobium species of plants and having distance restrictions as per the PCO between baits of either 1 bait per 5ha or 1 bait every 200m apart means the chance of our native animals gaining a toxic effect is very low.
For example a goanna would have to travel 18.6km to consume 93 1080 fox baits in one sitting to gain a toxic effect.
To prevent any other non target up take it is best practice to bury baits below the surface. Visual lures can be used like old bones and or cut out dirt patches to attract foxes over and investigate the bait site.
1080 baiting is also a restricted and a highly coordinated method and cannot be used within 4km of a town border and through proper notifications domestic pets can be muzzled or kept well away from the area until the program has finished.
