Exotic wasps in the region are being targeted using the new and revolutionary wasp bait.
The Department of Conservation (DOC) is working with campground managers and volunteers to target wasp populations in ten high-use areas of public conservation land including around Lakes Tikitapu, Okataina, and Tarawera.
Vespex is a protein bait targeted only at wasps and was not attractive to bees.
It was successfully piloted at five public conservation land sites in the South Island last year, reducing wasp activity at those sites by more than 95%.
"Ideally, wasps would be treated before the summer season begins but for Vespex to be used successfully it needs to be used at a particular time during the wasp feeding cycle which doesn't come around until February to March," said DOC ranger Caraline Abbott.