ATI'ITUDES TO PESTS AND
PEST CONTROL METHODS
RESULTS FROM A SAMPLE SURVEY
OF THE NZ POPULATION
IN FEBRUARY 1991
Ron Sheppard
Lorna Urquhart
J
This study was commissioned by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries
in association with the Rabbit and Land Management Programme
Research Report No. 210
April 1991
Agribusiness and Economics Research Unit
PO Box 84
Lincoln University
Canterbury
New Zealand
Telephone: (64) (3) 252-811
Fax: (64) (3) 252-099
ISSN 0113 4485
Tho Agr~bus~ries~nnrl
Economics Rosearch Unlt (AERU) operates
frorn L~ricolnllri~vors~ty
provldlng research expertise for a wlde
range of otganlsatlons concerned with production, processing,
d~strihiit~on,
f~nanceand rnarketlng
The AERU operates as a semi-commercial research agency.
Research contracts are carried out for clients on a commercial
basis and University research is supported by the AERU through
sponsorship of postgraduate research programmes. Research
clients include Government Departments, both within New
Zealand and from other countries, international agencies, New
Zealand companies and organisations, individuals and farmers.
Research results are presented through private client reports,
where this is required, and through the publication system
operated by the AERU. Two publication series are supported:
Research Reports and Discussion Papers.
The AERU operates as a research co-ordinating body for the
Economics and Marketing Department and the Department of
Farm Management and Accounting and Valuation. This means
that a total staff of approximately 50 professional people is potentially available to work on research projects. A wide diversity
of expertise is therefore available for the AERU.
The major research areas supported by the AERU include trade
policy, marketing (both institutional and consumer), accounting,
finance, management, agricultural economics and rural sociology. In addition to the research activities, the AERU supports
conferences and seminars on topical issues and AERU staff are
involved in a' wide range of professional and University related
extension activities.
Founded as the Agricultural Economics Research Unit in 1962
from an annual arant orovided bv the Deoartment of Scientific and
Industrial ~ e s e a r c h('DSIR), the AERU has grown to become an
independent, major source of business and economic research
expertise. DSlR funding was discontinued in 1986 and from April
1987, in recognition of the development of a wider research
activity in the agribusiness sector, the name of the organisation
was changed to the Agribusiness and Economics Research Unit.
An AERU Management Committeecomprised of the Principal, the
Professors of the three associate departments, and the AERU
Director and Assistant Director administers the general Unit
policy.
AERU MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE 1991
Professor A C Bywater, B.Sc., Ph.D.
(Professor of Farm Management)
Professor R H Juchau, B.Com., B.Ed., M.A.
(Professor of Accounting and Finance)
Professor A C Zwart, B.Agr.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.
(Professor of Marketing)
R L Sheppard, B.Agr.Sc. (Hons), B.B.S.
(Assistant Director, AERU)
AERU STAFF 1991
Director
Professor AC Zwart, B.Agr.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.
Assistant Director
R L Sheppard, B.Agr.Sc. (Hons). B.B.S.
Research Officen
G Greer, B.Agr.Sc. (Hons)
T P Grundy. B.Sc. (Hons), M.Com.
Research Officers
L. M. Urquhart. B.Com.(Ag), Dip.Com.
J R Fairweather. B.Agr.Sc., B.A.. M.A., Ph.D.
Visiting Research Fellow
N C Keating, Ph.D.
Secretary
J Clark
Page
List of Tables
(i)
Preface
Acknowledgements
(xi)
summary
Chapter
1
2
Introduction
1.1
Survey Method
1.2
Questionnaire Administration
1.3
Potential Information Bias
2
1.4
Questionnaire Coding and Analysis
2
1.5
Sample Error and Bias
2
Results
5
2.1
Seriousness of Various Pests
5
2.1.1 Overall Seriousness
5
2.1.2 Analysis of Pest Seriousness by Age of Respondent
6
2.1.3 Analysis of Pest Seriousness by Description of Where Live10
2.1.4 knalysis of Pest Seriousness by Sex of Respondent
10
2.2
Attitude to Introduced Natural Enemies and Diseases
11
2.3
Wasp
2.3.1
2.3.2
2.3.3
14
14
17
2.4
3.
Problems
Current Problems and Control
Attitudes to Wasp Control Methods
Attitudes to Virus Control Method for Wasps
Possum Problems
2.4.1 Current Problems and Control
2.4.2 Attitudes to Possum Control Methods
2.4.3 Attitudes to Disease Control Method for Possums
2.5
Rabbit Problems
2.5.1 Current Problems and Control
2.5.2 Attitudes to Rabbit Control Methods
2.5.3 Attitudes to Myxomatosis for Rabbits
2.6
Survey Statistics
Conclusions
APPENDIX The Questionnaire
24
28
28
32
37
LIST OF TABLES
Table
Page
5
Attitudes on Seriousness of Pests
Other Serious Pests
6
7
Age By Seriousness of Rats
7
Age By Seriousness of Termites
8
Age By Seriousness of Fruit Fly
8
Age By Seriousness of Wasps
9
Age By Seriousness of Grass Grubs
9
Age By Seriousness of Possums
9
Age By Seriousness of Rabbits
Where You Live By Attitude to the Seriousness of Grass Grubs
10
10
Respondent Sex By Attitude to the Seriousness of Flies
11
Respondent Sex By Attitude to the Seriousness of Possums
Is the Introduction of Diseases and Natural Enemies
11
a Good Pest Control Method
Respondent Sex By Attitude to Introduction of Diseases and Enemies 12
12
Age By Introduction of Enemies and Diseases
Where You Live By Attitude to Introduction of Disease and Enemies 12
Occupation By Attitude to Introduction of Enemies and Diseases
13
14
Reasons Why it is Not a Good Pest Control Measure
14
Is There a Wasp Problem Where You Live
Where You Live By Do You Have a Wasp Problem
15
15
Has the NZ Wasp Problem Changed Lately
15
Where You Live By Has the NZ Wasp Problem Changed
16
Is Enough Bqing Done to Control Wasps
16
Age By is Enough Done to Control Wasps
Where You Live By is Enough Done to Control Wasps in NZ
16
17
Attitudes to Wasp Control Methods
17
Respondent Sex By Attitude to Insecticide Use on Wasps
Respondent Sex By Attitude to Sodium Cyanide on Wasps
18
18
Respondent Sex By Attitude to Use of Predators for Wasps
Respondent Sex By Attitude to Wasp Diseases,
19
eg. Viruses as Form of Control
19
Age By Attitude to Use of Insecticide for Wasps
Age By Attitude to Use of Sodium Cyanide for Wasps
20
Age By Attitude to Use of Diseases, eg. Viruses for Wasps
20
21
Age By Attitude to Use of Predators for Wasps
Occupation By Attitude to Use of Wasp Diseases,
22
eg. Viruses to Control Wasps
Education After High School By Attitude to Wasp Diseases, eg, Viruses 23
Attitgde to Introduction of Disease and Enemies
23
By Attitude to Use of Wasp Disease, eg. Virus
24
Age By Have Heard of Wasp Virus
25
Attitude to Introduction of Wasp Virus
Respondent Sex By Attitude to Introduction of Wasp Virus
Age By Attitude to Introduction of Wasp Virus
Occupation By Attitude to Introduction of Wasp Virus
Comments Referring to Introduction of Wasp Virus
Is There a Possum Problem Where You Live
Where You Live By Do You Have a Possum Problem Where You Live
Has the NZ Possum Problem Changed Lately
Age By Has NZ Possum Problem Changed
Where You Live By Has NZ Possum Problem Changed
Is Enough Being Done to Control Possums
Age By Is Enough Being Done About Possum Problem
Where You Live By Is Enough Being Done About the Possum Problem
Respondent Sex By Is Enough Done to Control Possums
Attitudes To Possum Control Measures
Respondent Sex By Attitude to Shooting Possums as Control Measure
Respondent Sex By Attitude to 1080 For Possum Control
Respondent Sex By Attitude to Cyanide Use for Possum Control
Respondent Sex By Attitude to Possum Viruses as Form of Control
Age By Attitude to the Use of Cyanide for Possums
Age By Attitude to Use of Diseases, eg. Viruses for Possums
Age By Attitude to Use of Predators for Possums
Where ,You Live By Attitude to Trapping Possums
Attitude to Introduction of Disease and Enemies
By Use of Possum Viruses As Form of Control
Attitude to Introduction of Possum Disease
Respondent Sex By Attitude to Introduction of Possum Disease
Age By Attitude to Introduction of Possum Disease
Attitude to Introduction of Disease and Enemies
By Attitude to Introduction of Possum Disease
Comments Referring to Introduction of Possum Disease
Is There a Rabbit Problem Where You Live
Where You Live By Do You Have a Rabbit Problem
Age By Do You Have Rabbit Problem
Has The NZ Rabbit Problem Changed Over the Last Five Years
Age By Has NZ Rabbit Problem Changed
Where You Live By Has NZ Rabbit Problem Changed
Is Enough Being Done to Control Rabbits In NZ
Age By Is Enough Being Done to Control Rabbits
Respondent Sex By Is Enough Done to Control Rabbits
Where You Live By Is Enough Being Done to Control Rabbits
Attitudes Towards Rabbit Control Measures
Respondent Sex By Attitude to Shooting Rabbits as Control Measure
Respondent Sex By Attitude to 1080 for Rabbit Control
Respondent Sex By Attitude to Gassing Rabbits for Control
Respondent Sex By Attitude to Use of Predators for Rabbits
Respondent Sex By Attitude to Rabbit Diseases as Form of Control
Age By Attitude to Use of Gas For Rabbits
Where You Live By Attitude to Gassing Rabbits
47
Where You Live By Attitude to the Use of Rabbit Diseases
48
as Form of Control
Attitude to Introduction of Enemies and Diseases
By Attitude to Use of Rabbit Disease as Form of Control
48
Are There Any Other Suitable Control Methods
49
Other Control Methods Considered Suitable
49
Respondent Sex By Other Rabbit Control Methods Considered Suitable 50
What Else Can Be Done About Rabbits
51
Respondent Sex By Are There Any Other Suitable Rabbit Controls
51
Have You Heard of Myxomatosis Before
52
Age By Have You Heard of Myxomatosis
52
Where You Live By Have You Heard of Myxomatosis
52
Occupation By Have You Heard of Myxomatosis
53
Education After High School By Have You Heard of Myxomatosis
53
How Does Myxomatosis Affect Rabbits
54
Respondent Sex By How Myxomatosis Affects Rabbits
55
Attitude Towards Introduction of Myxomatosis
56
Respondent Sex By Attitude o Introduction of Myxomatosis
56
Where You Live By Attitude to Introduction of Myxomatosis
56
Attitude to Introduction of Enemies and Diseases
By Attitude to Introduction of Myxomatosis
57
Comments About Introduction of Myxomatosis
57
Any Other Myxomatosis Comments
58
Attitude Toward of Any Other Rabbit Diseases
59
Respondent Sex By Attitude to Introduction of Other Rabbit Diseases 59
Age By Attitude to Introduction of Other Rabbit Diseases
59
Where You Live By Attitude to Introduction of Other Rabbit Diseases 60
Attitude to I~troductionof Diseases and Enemies
By Attitude to Introduction of Other Rabbit Diseases
60
Comments Referring to Introduction of Any Other Rabbit Diseases
61
Respondents Ages
61
Was Any Form of Education Completed After High School
62
Usual Occupation of Respondent
62
Where Do You Live?
63
Region Respondent Lives In
63
Respondent Sex
64
The Agribusiness and Economics Research Unit has a programme of research which covers a wide
range of topics. Included is a market research programme and a policy research activity. In the case
of this research, the market research techniques which have been developed have been applied to a
policy matter and information has been presented which can contribute to policy decisions.
In many cases, policy decisions are made on the basis of political activity carried out by pressure
groups which apply effective lobbying pressure on politicians and policy advisors. This activity can
lead to an incorrect view of public opinion being formed and policy actions being taken which are not
supported by a large sector of public opinion but which reflect the opinions of particular pressure
groups.
The conduct of an effective research procedure with respect to the issue in question can lead to a
much better understanding of public opinion on matters of importance. Such information can then
contribute to the deliberations of the decision makers and result in better decisions being made,
especially where such decisions involve implications for large sectors of the population.
In the case of this research on attitudes to pests and pest control methods, valuable information on
public perceptions has been gathered. This information can be used to improve the decision making
on such matters as the introduction of myxomatosis for rabbit control. Such a decision has
implications for a wider community than that directly affected by a rabbit problem and the views of
that wider community should be recognised.
In addition to tHe current debate over the introduction of myxomatosis, this research has revealed
valuable information on the general attitude of the public to the introduction of biological control
mechanisms, particularly imported natural enemies and diseases of pests in New Zealand. The
implications of the findings are of importance in the assessment of biological control programmes
covering a wide range of issues. It should be noted that public opinion is not necessarily in support
of such programmes and that scientists should be aware of the views of their work which are held by
a large proportion of the population.
The Agribusiness and Economics Research Unit is pleased to be involved in this research area and is
grateful to the sponsors of the research for their permission to publish this Report.
Professor A C Zwart
DIRECTOR
AGRIBUSINESS AND ECONOMICS RESEARCH UNIT
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors wish to acknowledge the assistance received from Dr J Morgan Williams and Dr Nick
Taylor who both provided valuable input to the design of the Questionnaire which was used.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and the Rabbit and Land Management Programme provided
financial support for the study and the help of those organisations is gratefully acknowledged.
Studies of this sort are not possible without the assistance of the many New Zealand people who
freely give their time to answer the questions posed by the interviewers. This assistance is respected
and appreciated. While there are an increasing number of surveys being carried out for a wide range
of purposes, the continued co-operation of respondents is essential for these surveys to have any
meaning. We trust that the results of this survey can be used to guide the decision makers towards
the best possible decisions on behalf of New Zealand and so make the time invested in answering the
survey a worthwhile investment.
The sample extraction and telephone interviewing was carried out quickly and efficiently by Strategic
Research Services and we are most grateful to that organisation for its competent assistance.
. Data entry was undertaken by Sue Clemes at Lincoln University who performed the task very quickly
h n d efficiently. We are grateful to her for her help.
While the information presented herein is an accurate reflection of the data collected and the draft
report has been considered by referees, the conclusions drawn are the responsibility of the authors and
any comments or argument should be directed to us.
Ron Sheppard
Lorna Urquhart
SUMMARY
A survey of 1000 adult people in New Zealand was carried out during February 1991. The intention
of the survey was to ascertain the views of the respondents on the seriousness of a range of pests and
their attitudes to various forms of pest control. In particular, information was sought on attitudes to
wasps, possums and rabbits and the possible methods of controlling those pests.
The results of the survey indicate that a high proportion of respondents considered rabbits, possums
and wasps to be very serious or serious pests while approximately half the respondents also consider
fruit fly, grass gmbs, flies, termites and rats to be serious or very serious.
For many pests, there is a relationship between the age of the respondent and the attitude towards
the seriousness of the pest. In general, older respondents considered the pests to be more serious than
did younger respondents. A higher proportion of females considered flies to be serious or very
serious pests and a higher proportion of males considered possums to be very serious.
Approximately half the respondents did not think that the introduction of natural enemies or diseases
was a good way of controlling pests in New Zealand. This response was also related to the age and
sex of the respondents with more older respondents and more females being opposed to this form of
pest control. The main reason for opposition to this form of control was the danger of the "import
becoming a problem".
Nearly a third of respondents indicated that they had a wasp problem where they lived with rural,
town and city areas being equally represented. Nearly half the respondents thought that not enough
was being done to control wasps with a higher proportion of older respondents holding this view.
The most suitable methods for controlling wasps (thought "very suitable" or "suitable" by the highest
proportion of respondents) were diseases and petrol (equally suitable) with nearly 60 per cent of
respondents preferring these methods. Insecticide was thought very suitable or suitable by 45 per cent
of respondents. A higher proportion of males were in favour of diseases and insecticide than were
females. A higher proportion of younger people were in favour of diseases than were older
respondents. Over 40 per cent of those generally opposed to the use of diseases were in favour of the
use of diseases on wasps.
Over 20 per cent of all respondents indicated that they thought there was a possum problem where
they lived with nearly 50 per cent of rural residents indicating there was a possum problem. Over
three quarters of the respondents thought that the possum problem had become worse over the last
five years with a higher proportion of older people and rural dwellers thinking this. Nearly 65 per
cent of respondents thought that not enough was being done to control possums with a higher
proportion of older people and males thinking this.
The control method thought to be very suitable or suitable by the greatest proportion of respondents
was shooting (69.2per cent) with trapping being thought very suitable or suitable by 57.2 per cent.
Diseases (49.0per cent), 1080 (44.4per cent) and cyanide (43.7per cent) were the next highest rated.
A higher proportion of males supported 1080,cyanide and diseases while a higher proportion of older
respondents supported cyanide while a higher proportion of younger respondents supported diseases.
Over 30 per cent of those who are generally opposed to diseases supported the use of diseases for
possum control and 54 per cent of all respondents thought the introduction of a possum disease was
a "good idea" or "OK". A higher proportion of males and younger respondents supported this.
Only 12 per cent of respondents indicated there was a rabbit problem where they live. In rural areas,
the proportion rose to 27.7 per cent of respondents, 15.7 per cent'in towns and only 4.6 per cent in
cities. A higher proportion of younger people thought there was a problem and nearly 90 per cent of
respondents thought the NZ rabbit problem had become worse during the last five years. Only 11.2
per cent of respondents thought that enough was being done to control rabbits in NZ with a higher
proportion of younger respondents and females thinking this.
The control method thought very suitable or suitable by the highest proportion of respondents was
"Commercial Harvesting" with 74.1 per cent indicating this. Shooting was thought very suitable or
suitable by 68.3 per cent, diseases 46.2 per cent, 108045.3 per cent, gas 30.9 per cent and predators 20.1
per cent. A higher proportion of females favoured shooting while a higher proportion of males
favoured 1080, gassing, predators and diseases. Gas was favoured by a higher proportion of older
respondents. A higher proportion of rural respondents was in favour of gassing and the use of
diseases.
Of those generally opposed to the use of diseases, nearly 30 per cent were in favour of the use of
disease on rabbits.
Nearly 90 per cent of respondents had heard of myxomatosis with a higher proportion of older
respondents having heard of it. Most respondents who were aware of the disease considered that
myxomatosis caused a slow painful death to rabbits.
Nearly 50 per cent of respondents thought that the introduction of myxomatosis was a "good idea"
or "OK. A higher proportion of males (60.8 per cent) were in favour than were females. There was
no difference in attitude between rural, town and city dwellers. Over 30 per cent of those generally
opposed to the use of diseases were in favour of the introduction of myxomatosis while 25.5 per cent
of those generally in favour of diseases were against the introduction of myxomatosis.
Th2introduction of other rabbit diseases was supported by less respondents (27.5 per cent) with 49.1
per cent opposed. The remaining respondents (23.3 per cent) "don't know".
It was concluded that there is a significant perception of the seriousness of a range of pests in New
Zealand and that this perception is likely to be greater the older the person concerned.
The use of the biological control method of introducing natural enemies and diseases to New Zealand
was not favoured by a majority of the respondents/population. This resistance was based on-the
danger of the introduced species becoming a problem in itself. However, where a specific target was
identified and where this target was a pest relating directly to people, the resistance to this form of
control was much less. In addition, where the type of agent was identified, eg. myxomatosis, there
was more support for this type of control measure than where the proposed agent was less well
known. The implications of this include the need for scientists to be very aware of the need to carry
out extensive research on the possible "side effects" of introduced agents and to be aware that this
issue is of real concern to NZ people.
However, in spite of there being a significant resistance to the use of introduced natural enemies and
diseases, the resistance to other control measures was also significant. The concern over biological
control methods must be seen in the context of the attitude to other forms of pest control which are
currently being used. From this perspective, it can be seen that resistance to the use of diseases is no
more than the resistance to the use of other control measures. Decisions "not to use biological control"
must be seen in the context of the use of the other forms of control and the public resistance to those
methods.
The general conclusion is that the public is concerned about pests and about the methods used to
control them. The use of diseases is seen as an equivalent form of control to other measure which are
available and diseases are supported as a control measure by approximately half the NZ public.
(xii)
The Agribusiness and Economics Research Unit (AERU), Lincoln University, was approached in mid
December 1990 by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries with a request to consider the
development and execution of a research project on the identification of public attitudes to the use of
biological control methods for pest control in New Zealand. Particular reference was to be given to
the control of wasps, possums and rabbits. Following discussions, it was established that the most
appropriate method was a telephone survey of 1000 adult (18 years and over) people throughout New
Zealand.
1.1
Survev Method
The telephone survey method was selected for two reasons. One was the need to be able to obtain
information about issues which are thought to elicit emotional responses from participants, without
triggering those emotions. This particularly applied to the gathering of information about the
seriousness of pests and the key issue of the potential use of biological control methods (eg. natural
enemies and diseases), without the respondent being aware that later questions would concern
myxomatosis, a biological control method for rabbits which is often linked with cruelty to animals.
Use of a mail questionnaire would have meant that respondents were able to be aware of these
$ questions prior to completing the more general questions on biological control. In addition, a mail
questionnaire would have required a much longer time period than was available and would have
suffered from the usual difficulties of achievement of an adequate unbiased response rate.
Therefore, the telephone survey method was selected as the most appropriate. In order to carry out
this survey, a random sample of 2000 telephone numbers was selected from the New Zealand wide
telephone directories. This sample was proportionately distributed over the telephone books in order
to achieve a representative geographic spread of participants.
1.2
Ouestionnaire Administration
The administration of the questionnaire was subcontracted to Strategic Research Services. This
organisation employed twenty three trained telephone interviewers to carry out the survey. Each
interviewer was given double the number of telephone numbers they would require, assuming an
interview was obtained from each number. The interviewers were instructed to call every second
number on the list provided. If insufficient interviews were obtained from this list, the remaining
numbers were to be used. Interviewers were not expected to "call back to numbers where an
interview was not immediately obtainable, but where requested by the potential respondent, call backs
were undertaken.
As the time over which the survey was to be undertaken was short, the sample was selected, once
telephone contact had been made, by the interviewer requesting an interview from the "person in your
household who normally lives there, is at home now, who last had a birthday and who is 18 years or
older". It was acknowledged that the proviso "who is at home now" had the potential to distort the
responses in favour of those people more often at home during the hours when the interviewers were
calling. However, it was considered that the factor "at home or not" would not be likely to have a
significant influence on the attitude to pest control methods. However, given the likelihood of more
females being at home (as compared to males) it was thought possible that this sample selection
method would lead to a higher proportion of females being interviewed than men. Were this to be
the case, it was acknowledged that appropriate sample weighting techniques could be used in order
to remove any potential bias caused by such a sample result.
The interviewers were instructed to call the telephone numbers between the hours of 6.30pm and
9.00pm from Monday to Friday. Interviews during the day at the weekend were permitted. All
interviews were carried out during the period from 1February to 15 February 1991. Interviewers were
instructed to return the first 20 completed questionnaires as soon as they were done in order to assist
with the process of questionnaire coding and data entry. The interviewer notes which were used at
the Briefing and the Questionnaire are included in the Appendix to this Report.
Potential Information Bias
It should be noted that during this time, there was a significant level of television and radio debate
over the issue of myxomatosis. Much of this debate concerned the effect of myxomatosis on rabbits
and some of the comments concerned the desirability of importing further species to New Zealand
under the label of biological control. This publicity commenced during the first week of interviewing.
As a result, an analysis of the early interview responses was carried out and compared with the
responses obtained during and following the publicity. It was determined that there was no
significant difference between the responses received.
1.4
Questionnaire Coding and Analvsis
The questionnaire responses were coded by one person (LUrquhart) and the data entry was carried
out by Lincoln University staff.
Analysis of the data was carried out using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS)
package running on an IBM type AT personal computer.
1.5
Sample Error and Bias
Given the random selection of the sample of 1000 respondents from the total potential New Zealand
population, as represented by those names available in the telephone directories, the estimated margin
of error for the survey is plus or minus three per cent. This means that the actual population situation
may differ from the sample responses by a range of six percentage points around the sample estimate
with a maximum variation of plus three and minus three percentage points.
Bias may arise in a sample s-urvey through a number of ways. The most important of these is the
sample selection procedure. As this sample was selected on a random basis from the population
represented by the listings in the telephone directories, there is potential for bias in that the people
listed in the directories may have different views from those not listed in the directories. This margin
of error is expected to be very s m l l as a very high proportion of the population is included in the
telephone directory listings. Any potential bias from this source is included within the margin of error
referred to above.
A second source of potential bias which applies to this particular survey might occur from the actual
sample selection which required the eligible person who was at home at the time of the telephone call.
As referred to above, the factor of "at home" was not considered in itself to have potential for the
reflection of bias. However, it was considered that bias might result from the selection of a higher
proportion of female respondents (than occur in the population) through the use of this method. This
hypothesis was based on the expectation that females were more likely to be opposed to methods of
pest control which have been demonstrated through the media to involve some form of suffering for
the pest. It was therefore thought that female respondents would be more likely to be opposed to the
introduction of myxomatosis than male respondents. It was determined that should such a result
occur, then the sample could be adjusted to refleet an equal weighting of males and females, should
such an adjustment result in a sigdicant change to the results.
The sample does in fact reflect a significantly higher proportion of females (57.1 per cent) than males
(42.9 per cent). In addition, the analysis of the results indicates that for a number of key variables
(those related to attitudes to the introduction of natural enemies and diseases, attitudes to viruses,
insecticide, poisoning, etc) females are more inclined to oppose the use or find the method unsuitable
compared to males. (The results according to the sex of the respondent are presented in the next
section of the report.) In order to prepare results which reflect the total population, the responses
would need to be weighted in order to bring the male and female proportions to equality (the
proportion of males and females in the population is 50:50). However, such a weighting, given the
proportion of males and females in the sample, would result in an alteration of the sample total
response by only one percentage point for every fourteen percentage points of difference in the male
and female responses. In all cases, the male and female responses do not differ by more than 14
percentage points. Therefore, as the adjustment is well within the margin of error, and in all cases
is less than one percentage point, we have not presented adjusted responses. For many of the key
variables, results have been presented for males and females. Where the adjusted response for the
population is required, this can be calculated by taking the mean of the male and female responses.
The remainder of this report involves two sections. Section Two presents the results of the research.
In most cases, the results are presented as a frequency analysis of all responses followed by an
analysis according to the respondent sex, an analysis according to the respondent age and a further
analysis according to the area where the respondent lives (rural, town or city). Section Three presents
some conclusions that can be drawn from the study.
CHAPTER2
RESULTS
2.1
Seriousness of Various Pests
Overall Seriousness
2.1.1
Question 1 of the survey asked respondents to indicate how serious they thought some New Zealand
pests are. They were asked to address this issue from the point of view of "New Zealand as a whole".
The responses are given in Table 1. These results indicate that rabbits, possums and wasps are seen
as the most significant pests with 77.2 per cent, 56.4 per cent and 42.2 per cent of respondents
(respectively) considering that these pests are "very serious".
Attitudes on Seriousness of Pests
(% of AU Respondents)
Rats
Termites
Fruit
RY
Wasps
Flies
Grass Possum
Grubs
Rabbit
very
Serious
8.7
14.1
17.0
42.2
14.0
8.7
56.4
77.2
Serious
33.2
31.0
40.4
38.0
36.7
34.9
33.5
16.1
Not Very
Serious
50.0
44.2
30.2
18.6
42.9
39.1
8.3
5.6
Not at ail
Serious
6.7
8.2
7.2
0.8
6.4
9.6
0.8
0.8
Don't
Know
1.4
25
5.2
0.4
-
7.8
1.O
0.3
Total
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
Valid
Response
1005
1005
1005
1005
1005
1005
1005
1005
Respondents were asked if they thought there were any other pests which they considered to be
serious in New Zealand. Of the total respondents, 33.0 per cent considered that there were other
serious pests. The pests identified are given in Table 2.
Other Serious Pests
(% of Those Who Named Other Serious Pests)
Ants
Cockroaches
Dogs
Wild Goats
People
Fleas
Spiders
Mosquitoes
Barer
Deer
Ferrets/ Weasels
Other *
Total
Valid Responses
* Mainly mice, also includes aphids, cats, pigs, wallabies, birds
2J.2
Analysis of Pest Seriousness by Age of Respondent
It was suggested that there would be a variation of the degree of seriousness of each pest according
to the age of the respondent. This hypothesis was based on the suggestion that older people would
have had more personal experience with some pests and that they would be more conscious of
problem caused by pests in areas of the country and in other sectors of the population than that to
which they belong personally. Therefore, an analysis of the responses according to the age of the
respondents was carried out. The results for "pest seriousness" are presented in Tables 3 to 10. Only
those Tables where there is a significant relationship between the age of the respondent and the
seriousness of the pest are reported. A statistically significant relationship is assessed at the 95 per
cent confidence interval, i.e. there is a 95 per cent or greater probability that the observed relationship
actually exists in the population and there is only a five per cent probability (or less) that the
relationship has occurred in the sample by chance.
TABLE 3
Age Bv Seriousness of Rats
(% of All Respondents)
20 and
under
21-30
31-40
41-50
51-60
Over 60
3.7
4.0
8.3
9.3
6.4
5.2
Don't Know
-
1.3
0.9
1.O
1.4
2.6
Total
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
54
149
228
204
141
229
Very Serious
Serious
Not Very Serious
Not At All Serious
Valid Responses
* significant
TABLE 4
Age Bv Seriousness of Termites
(% of All Respondents)
20 and
under
21-30
31-40
41-50
51-60
Over 60
Serious
33.3
30.9
25.9
26.5
32.6
38.9
Not Very Serious
57.4
45.6
46.5
48.5
38.3
37.6
---
--
-
-
Very Serious
Not At All Serious
Don't Know
Total
Valid Responses
* significant
TABLE 5
Age Bv Seriousness of Fruit Flv
(% of All Respondents)
20 and
under
21-30
31-40
41-50
51-60
Over 60
Very Serious
Sgaious
Not Very Serious
Not At All Serious
Don't Know
Total
Valid Responses
TABLE 6
Age Bv Seriousness of Wasps
(% of All Respondents)
20 and
under
21-30
31-40
41-50
51-60
Over 60
Very Serious
16.7
36.9
36.0
53.4
41.8
48.0
Serious
44.4
34.2
41.2
30.4
44.0
38.9
Not Very Serious
38.9
27.5
21.9
14.7
12.1
12.2
Not At All Serious
-
1.3
0.9
1.O
1.4
-
Don't Know
-
-
-
0.5
0.7
0.9
Total
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
54
149
228
204
141
229
Valid Responses
* significant
TABLE 7
Age By Seriousness of Grass Grubs
(% of All Respondents)
20 and
under
21-30
31-40
41-50
51-60
Over 60
3.7
4.7
8.8
11.8
7.1
10.5
22.2
12.8
8.8
8.8
6.4
7.9
Don't Know
3.7
9.4
9.2
5.4
8.5
7.9
Total
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
54
149
228
204
141
229
*
Very Serious
"
Serious
Not Very Serious
Not At All Serious
Valid Responses
* significant
TABLE 8
Age Bv Seriousness of Possums
(% of All Respondents)
20 and
under
21-30
31-40
41-50
51-60
Over 60
Very Serious
50.0
45.0
53.1
56.9
62.4
64.6
Serious
29.6
38.9
36.0
34.8
29.1
30.1
Not Very Serious
18.5
15.4
9.6
5.9
5.7
3.5
Not At All Serious
1.9
-
0.4
1.5
0.7
0.9
Don't Know
-
0.7
0.9
1.O
2.1
0.9
Total
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
54
149
228
204
141
229
Valid Responses
* significant
TABLE 9
Aae Bv Seriousness of Rabbits
(% of All Respondents)
20 and
under
21-30
31-40
41-50
51-60
Over 60
1.9
1.3
0.9
0.5
0.7
0.4
Don't Know
-
1.3
-
-
-
0.4
Total
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
54
149
228
204
141
229
Very Serious
Serious
Not Very Serious
Not At All Serious
Valid Responses
* significant
Analysis of Pest Seriousness by Description of Where Live
2.1.3
Respondents identified a description of where they live according to whether it is a rural, town or city
location. It was considered that a relationship might exist between the general location of a
respondent's residence and the seriousness of pest problems. However, with the exception of one
pest, grass grubs, there were no significant relationships between living location and the pest
seriousness. Table 10 provides the analysis with respect to grass grubs. This indicates that people
who live in Rural areas consider grass grub to be more serious than do Town or City dwellers..
TABLE 10
Where You Live Bv Attitude to The Seriousness of Grass Grubs
(% of All Respondents)
Rural
Town
City
10.2
9.6
7.7
Not At All Serious
3.1
7.1
12.8
Don't Know
5.4
8.3
8.3
Total
100.0
100.0
100.0
166
312
521
Very Serious
serious
Not Very Serious
Valid Responses
* significant
2.1.4
Analysis of Pest Seriousness by Sex of Respondent
For most of the pests considered, there was no significant difference with respect to the sex of the
respondent and the seriousness of the pest. However, there was a difference with respect to flies
(Table 11) and possums (Table 12) where there was a higher proportion of female respondents
considering flies to be "very serious" or "serious" and a higher proportion of males considering
possums to be "very serious".
TABLE 11
Respondent Sex Bv Attitude to The Seriousness of Flies
(% of All Respondents)
-
.
--
Male
Female
Serious
31.6
40.7
Not Very Serious
48.4
38.6
7.9
5.2
Very Serious
Not At All Serious
-
Don't Know
Total
Valid Responses
* significant
100.0
100.0
430
573
TABLE 12
Resmndent Sex Bv Attitude to The Seriousness of Possums
(% of All Respondents)
Male
Female
Not Very Serious
7.9
8.6
Not At All Serious
1.2
0.5
Don't Know
0.9
1.O
Total
100.0
100.0
430
573
Very Serious
Serious
Valid Responses
* significant
2.2
Attitude to Introduced Natural Enemies and Diseases
Question 2 asked respondents if they thought that a good way of controlling pests in New Zealand
was to introduce natural enemies or diseases to New Zealand. This question was designed to identify
the attitude of the New Zealand public to these forms of pest control, i.e. the use of biological control
methods for pest control. Table 13 provides the results for all respondents. Half of the respondents
(50.8 per cent) indicated that they did not think this was a good method.
TABLE 13
Is The Introduction of Diseases & Natural Enemies
a Good Pest Control Method
(% of All Respondents)
Yes
No
Don't Know
Total
Valid Responses
Further analysis of the respondents with respect to their age, sex, where they live and occupation cross
tabulated with their attitude to this pest control method was carried out. The analyses are presented
in Tables 14 to 17. A significantly higher proportion of females did not support this control method
(55.8 per cent vs 43.9 per cent) (Table 14) and a significant relationship between age and control
measure support was identified (Table 15) with older people being more opposed to this method.
There was no significant relationship between where the respondent lived and the attitude to this
control method (Table 16). A significant relationship between occupation and attitude to introduced
diseases and natural enemies emerged (Table 17) with a higher proportion of "retired", "clerical" and
"housewife"respondents being opposed to this method. However, this response pattern is more likely
to be related to the age (retired) and sex (clerical and housewife) of the respondents than the
occupation. There was no significant difference with respect to respondent education.
TABLE 14
Respondent Sex Bv Attitude to Introduction of Diseases & Enemies
(% of All Respondents)
Male
Female
Yes
No
Don't Know
Total
Valid Responses
* significant
TABLE 15
Age BY Attitude to Introduction of Enemies and Diseases
(% of All Respondents)
--
20 and
under
21-30
31-40
41-50
51-60
Over 60
Yes
45.3
48.6
47.4
39.4
32.6
33.2
No
49.1
44.6
44.3
52.2
56.0
57.2
5.7
6.8
8.3
8.4
11.3
9.6
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
53
148
228
203
141
229
Don't Know
Total
Valid Responses
--
* significant
Where You Live Bv Attitude to Introduction of Disease and Enemies
(% of All Respondents)
Rural
Town
city
166
312
521
Yes
No
Don't Know
Total
Vdid Responses
TABLE 17
Occupation By Attitude to Introduction of Enemies and Diseases
(% of All Respondents)
Yes
No
Retired
30.2
58.1
Clerical
35.8
Service
Don't
Know
Total
Valid
Response
11.7
100.0
179
54.3
9.9
100.0
81
41.2
50.0
8.8
100.0
68
Housewife
31.5
59.1
9.4
100.0
127
Technical/ Professional
40.1
49.7
10.2
100.0
197
Production/ Labour
46.0
51.3
2.7
100.0
113
Farmer
51.4
43.2
5.4
100.0
37
Sales
Agriculture
Administration/
Managerial
Student
Unemployed
Sickness Beneficiary
Self Employed
* significant
Respondents who did not agree with the method of control (natural enemies and disease introduction)
were asked why they didn't agree. The main reason was the danger of the new import becoming a
problem (Table 18). Other reasons were related to this fear of an imported control measure becoming
an issue in itself.
TABLE 18
Reasons Whv It Is Not A Good Pest Control Measure
(% of Those Who Felt It Was Not A Good Measure)
Import Becomes Problem
66.1
Need To Do Research
11.2
Dangerous To Environment
7.4
Don't Know Consequences
13.9
Introduced Enough Now
Cruel Method
Bangerous/Alters
Other
Total
119.1
Valid Responses
2.3
496
Wasp Problems
2.3,l
Current Problems and Control
The second part of the Questionnaire dealt with the problems being caused by wasps. Respondents
were asked a set of questions on the wasp problem (which were repeated for possums and rabbits in
later sections).
Table 19 indicates that 32.5 per cent of the respondents have a wasp problem where they live. Table
20 indicates that there is no significant difference between rural, town and city dwellers with respect
to the recognition of a wasp problem. There was also no significant relationship between the
respondent age and the recognition of a wasp problem where they live.
TABLE 19
Is There a Wasp Problem Where You Live
(% of All Respondents)
-
Yes
No
Don't Know
Total
Valid Responses -
TABLE 20
Where You Live Bv Do You Have a Wasv Problem
(% of All Respondents)
Rural
Tom
City
Yes
No
Don't Know
Total
Valid Responses
Table 21 indicates that 77.7 per cent of respondents consider that the NZ wasp problem has become
worse over the last five years. Again, there is no significant difference between rural, town and city
dwellers with respect to this attitude (Table 22); nor was there any relationship with respondent age.
TABLE 21
m
e NZ Wasp Problem Changed Latelv
(% of All Respondents)
Become Worse
The Same
Become Less
Don't Know
Total
Valid Reswnses
TABLE 22
Where You Wvt: Bv Has NZ Wasv Problem Changed
(% of All Respondents)
Rural
Become Worse
The Same
Become Less
Don't Know
Total
Valid Reswnses
Town
City
Table 23 indicates that 45.8 per cent of the respondents think that not enough is being done to control
wasps in New Zealand while only 21.3 per cent think enough is being done. A large proportion (32.9
per cent) "don't know" if enough is being done. There was a significant relationship between the age
of the respondent and the attitude to whether enough is being done to control wasps (Table 24) with
a higher proportion of older people thinking that not enough is being done.
TABLE 23
Is Enough Being Done To Control Wasps
(% of All Respondents)
Yes
No
Don't Know
Total
Valid Responses
TABLE 24
Age BY Is Enough Done to Control Wasps
(% of All Respondents)
20 and
under
21-30
3140
41-50
51-60
Over 60
Yes
29.6
22.8
21.9
22.5
17.1
19.2
No
44.4
40.3
39.9
49.5
57.9
45.0
Don't Know
25.9
36.9
38.2
27.9
25.0
35.8
Total
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
54
149
228
204
140
229
Valid Responses
* significant
There was no significant relationship between the dwelling location and the attitude to whether
enough is being done to control wasps (Table 25); nor was there any relationship with respondent sex.
TABLE 25
Where You Live By Is Enough Done to Control Wasps in NZ
(% of All Respondents)
Rwd
Yes
No
Don't Know
Total
Valid Responses
%wn
City
2.3.2
Attitudes to Wasp Control Methods
Respondents were asked to indicate whether they thought a range of nominated wasp control methods
were "very suitable", "suitable", "unsuitable"or "very unsuitable". Table 26 lists the methods that were
nominated in the questionnaire and the attitudes of the respondents to those methods. "Petrol" and
"Disease, eg virus" were seen as the most suitable methods (57.5 per cent and 57.7 per cent of
respondents finding these methods either very suitable or suitable respectively) (Table 26). Cyanide
and predators were considered least suitable, although a large proportion of respondents (24.4 per
cent) "don't know" about cyanide.
TABLE 26
Attitudes to Wasp Control Methods
(% of All Respondents)
Insecticide
Petrol
Cyanide
Disease
Predator
very
Suitable
6.9
11.1
6.4
18.4
7.9
Suitable
38.1
46.4
21.7
39.3
27.1
Cumulative
Percent
45.0
57.5
28.1
57.7
35.0
Unsuitable
32.8
30.1
34.2
20.8
35.4
Very
Unsuitable
7.8
7.6
13.2
14.0
22.5
1Op5
1004
1004
1005
1004
'@
Don't
Know
Valid
Responses
Attitudes to the use of the various control methods differed according to the sex of the respondent.
Tables 27 to 30 demonstrate the responses by males and females with respect to the use of the control
methods where there was a significant differencebetween the sexes. A higher proportion of females
find insecticide, sodium cyanide, predator and disease use to be unsuitable.
TABLE 27
Respondent Sex Bv Attitude to Insecticide Use on Wasps
(% of All Respondents)
Male
Female
Suitable
42.8
34.6
Unsuitable
28.6
36.1
6.3
8.9
Don't Know
12.6
15.7
Total
100.0
100.0
430
573
Very Suitable
Very Unsuitable
Valid Responses
TABLE 28
Respondent Sex Bv Attitude to Sodium Cyanide Use on Wasvs
(% of All Respondents)
Male
Female
Very Suitable
Suitable
Unsuitable
Very Unsuitable
Don't Know
Total
Valid Responses
* significant
TABLE 29
Resvondent Sex BY Attitude to Use of Predators for Wasvs
(% of All Respondents)
Male
Female
9.8
6.5
Suitable
30.8
24.4
Unsuitable
35.0
35.7
Very Unsuitable
19.1
24.8
Don't Know
5.3
8.6
Total
100.0
100.0
429
573
Very Suitable
Valid Responses
* Significant
TABLE 30
Respondent Sex Bv Attitude to Wasp Diseases, eg. Viruses as Form of Control
(% of All Respondents)
Male
Female
Unsuitable
203
21.1
Very Unsuitable
10.2
16.8
Don't Know
5.6
8.9
Total
100.0
100.0
430
573
Very Suitable
Suitable
Valid Responses
%
* Significant
Respondents also differed in their attitude to the control methods suggested according to the age of
the respondent. Table 31 demonstrates the difference in attitude with respect to insecticide use. There
is a decline in the proportion of respondents indicating that insecticide is suitable as age increases as
well as a decline in the proportion indicating the method is unsuitable. However, the proportion of
respondents who "don't know" increases as age increases.
TABLE 31
Age Bv Attitude to Use of Insecticide for Wasps
(% of All Respondents)
20 and
under
21-30
31-40
41-50
51-60
Over 60
9.3
3.4
6.6
8.8
9.9
5.2
Suitable
44.4
43.6
36.4
35.8
39.0
36.2
Unsuitable
31.5
33.6
33.8
35.3
33.3
29.3
Very Unsuitable
7.4
10.7
9.2
9.3
6.4
3.9
Don't Know
7.4
8.7
14.0
10.8
11.3
25.3
Total
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
54
149
228
204
141
229
Very Suitable
Valid Responses
* significant
The proportion of respondents finding the use of sodium cyanide to be suitable or very suitable
increases with age as does the proportion who "don't know" (Table 32). A higher proportion of
younger people (20 and under) have definite opinions and also form the highest group of people who
find sodium cyanide to be very unsuitable.
TABLE 32
Age Bv Attitude to Use of Sodium Cvanide for Wasps
(% of All Respondents)
20 and
under
21-30
3140
41-50
51-60
Over 60
5.6
1.3
6.1
5.4
10.7
8.3
Suitable
20.4
24.8
17.1
18.1
21-4
27.9
Unsuitable
35.2
37.6
33.8
39.7
32.8
28.4
Very Unsuitable
27.8
18.1
11.4
10.8
12.1
11.4
Don't Know
11.1
18.1
31.6
26.0
22.8
24.0
Total
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
54
149
228
140
229
Very Suitable
Vqlid Responses
204
--
-
* significant
The suitability of the use of diseases, eg. viruses, for wasps is considered high amongst younger
respondents while the proportion of respondents considering the method to be unsuitable or very
unsuitable increases with the age of the respondent (Table 33). The proportion of respondents who
"don't know" also increases with respondent age. A similar response is recorded for the relationship
between age and the use of predators as a wasp control method (Table 34).
TABLE 33
Age BY Attitude to Use of Diseases, ep. Viruses for Wasps
(% of All Respondents)
20 and
under
21-30
3140
41-50
51-60
Over 60
Very Suitable
24.1
24.8
22.8
18.6
12.8
11.8
Suitable
55.6
39.6
43.4
33.8
36.2
38.0
Unsuitable
9.3
18.8
14.9
23.0
20.6
28.8
Very Unsuitable
9.3
11.4
11.4
18.6
21.3
10.9
Don't Know
1.9
5.4
7.5
5.9
9.2
10.5
Total
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
54
149
228
204
141
229
Valid Responses
* significant
TABLE 34
Age Bv Attitude to Use of Predators for Wasps
(% of All Respondents)
20 and
under
21-30
31-40
41-50
51-60
Over 60
Very Suitable
16.7
8.1
11.8
6.4
6.4
3.9
Suitable
22.2
32.9
23.7
30.9
24.3
26.2
Unsuitable
42.6
38.3
39.0
29.4
32.9
34.9
Very Unsuitable
14.8
18.1
19.3
27.5
28.6
22.3
Don't Know
3.7
2.7
6.1
5.9
7.9
12.7
Total
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
54
149
228
204
141
229
Valid Responses
* significant
There was no significant relationship between where respondents live (rural, town, city) and their
attitude to the wasp control methods. However, there was a significant relationship between the
respondent occupation and the attitude to the use of wasp diseases, eg. viruses for wasp control (Table
35). Higher proportions of retired, clerical, housewife and farmer occupations find such methods to
be unsuitable or very unsuitable.
TABLE 35
Occupation Bv Attitude to Use of Wasp Diseases, ep. Viruses to Control Wasps
(% of All Respondents)
Very
Suitable
Suitable
Unsuitable
Very
Unsuitable
Don't
Know
Total
Valid
Resp
Retired
Clerical
Service
Housewife
Technical/
Professional
1;rbductionl
Labour
Farmer
Sales
Agriculture
Admin/
Managerial
Student
Unemployed
Sickness
Beneficiary
Self
Employed
* Significant
"Education after high school" was also found to be significantly related to the attitude to the use of
diseases to control wasps with a higher proportion of those with higher education finding the method
very suitable. However, overall there was little difference between respondents with respect to their
education (Table 36). There was no respondent age relationship with petrol use.
TABLE 36
Education After High School Bv Attitude to Wasp Diseases, eg. Viruses
(% of All Respondents)
Yes
No
Don't Know
Very Suitable
22.9
14.9
-
Suitable
34.9
43.0
100.0
Unsuitable
20.2
21.5
Very Unsuitable
15.1
12.7
Don't Know
6.9
7.9
-
Total
100.0
100.0
100.0
436
558
1
Valid Responses
"Significant
An analysis of the relationship between the respondents' attitude to the use of imported natural
enemies and diseases with respect to their attitude to the use of a disease, eg. virus for wasp control
was camed out. Table 37 reports a close relationship between the two sets of responses with a high
proportion of those respondents who are in favour of disease and enemy control methods finding the
wasp disease to be very suitable or suitable. Also, a high proportion of those who are generally
opposed to such methods find the wasp virus to be unsuitable or very unsuitable. However, a
significant proportion of those who are generally opposed find a wasp disease to be very suitable or
suitable (9.4 per cent and 32.6 per cent respectively) reflecting a readiness to accept such control
methods in particular circumstances. A high proportion of those who "don't know" where they stand
on the use of natural enemies and diseases were in favour of using a disease for wasp control (19.5
per cent finding it very suitable and 36.8 per cent finding in suitable).
TABLE 37
Attitude to Introduction of Disease & Enemies
By Attitude to Use of Wasp Disease, en. Virus
(% of All Respondents)
In Favour of Introduced
Diseases?
Yes
Don't Know
Wasp Disease, ep. Virus:
Very Suitable
Suitable
Unsuitable
Very Unsuitable
Don't Know
5.4
6.7
21.9
Total
100.0
100.0
100.0
406
509
87
Valid Responses
* significant
2.3.3
Attitudes to Virus Control Method for Wasps
Respondents were told that "a virus disease has recently been introduced to New Zealand to help to
control wasps". The respondents were then asked if they had heard of this before. Only 30.0 per
cent of respondents had heard of this introduction. There was a significant difference between age
groups with respect to this knowledge. A much higher proportion of older people had heard of the
virus than had younger people. The most significant group was the 41 to 50 years age group with
42.2 per cent having heard of the virus (Table 38).
TABLE 38
Age Bv Have Heard of Wasp Virus
(% of All Respondents)
20 years or
less
21-30
3140
41-50
51-60
Over 60
Yes
14.8
18.1
26.8
42.2
32.6
32.3
No
85.2
81.9
73.2
57.8
67.4
67.7
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
54
149
228
204
141
229
Total
Valid Responses
* significant
There was no difference between respondents with respect to where they live and their knowledge
of the wasp virus.
All respondents were asked "which of the following best describes how you feel about introducing
this disease to New Zealand good idea, OK or opposed". The results are given in Table 39.
-
TABLE 39
Attitude To Introduction of Wasp Virus
(% of All Respondents)
Good Idea
OK
Cumulative Percent
Opposed
Don't Know
Don't Care
Total
Valid Responses
yust over half the respondents (56.6per cent) were in favour of the introduction of this virus as a form
of control for wasps. However, there was a significant difference according to the sex of the
respondent. Table 40 indicates that a higher proportion of females are opposed to this form of wasp
control (37.2per cent cf 28.4 per cent of males) while 35.0 per cent of males think the virus is a good
idea compared with 25.9 per cent of females.
TABLE 40
Respondent Sex Bv Attitude to Introduction of Wasv Virus
(% of All Respondents)
Male
Female
Good Idea
OK
opposed
Don't Know
Don't Care
Total
Valid Responses
1
* significant
Age was also a significant factor with respect to the attitude to the introduction of viruses to control
wasps. As respondent age increases, the proportion of respondents opposed to the introduction of
the virus grows with'20.4 per cent of 20 years and under respondents opposed and 41.9 per cent of
over 60 years respondents opposed (Table 41).
TABLE 41
Ape BY Attitude to Introduction of Wasv Virus
(% of All Respondents)
J
20 and
under
21-30
31-40
41-50
51-60
Over 60
Good Idea
35.2
34.2
32.9
29.9
27.0
23.8
OK
40.7
31.5
31.6
25.0
20.6
21.6
%'Osed
Don't Know
20.4
24.2
28.1
35.8
41.1
41.9
3.7
10.1
75
9.3
11.3
12.3
Total
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
54
149
228
204
141
229
Valid Responses
'
* significant
There was no significant difference between respondents according to where they live or their
education and their attitude to wasp virus use. However, there was a relationship between occupation
and attitude to wasp viruses with less retired, service and housewife respondents being in favour
(again this tends to reflect age and sex considerations rather than occupational factors) (Table 42).
TABLE 42
Occuvation Bv Attitude to Introduction of Wasp Virus
(% of All Respondents)
Good
Idea
'ur
OK
opposed
Don't
Know
Don't
Care
Total
Valid
Resp
100.0
178
100.0
81
100.0
68
100.0
127
100.0
197
Retired
23.0
20.2
43.3
13.5
Clerical
30.9
27.2
33.3
8.6
Service
27.9
22.1
44.1
5.9
Housewife
27.6
21.3
36.2
15.0
Technical/
Professional
28.9
32.0
29.4
9.6
-
Production/
Labour
32.7
27.4
31.9
8.0
-
100.0
113
Farmer
43.2
24.3
27.0
5.4
100.0
37
Sales
26.7
30.0
35.0
8.3
-
100.0
60
Agriculture
33.3
30.0
26.7
6.7
3.3
100.0
30
Administration
/ Managerial
40.5
24.3
29.7
5.4
-
100.0
37
Student
40.5
43.2
13.5
2.7
100.0
37
Unemployed
23.5
47.1
23.5
5.9
100.0
17
-
33.3
66.7
-
-
100.0
3
50.0
37.5
12.5
-
-
100.0
8
Sickness
Beneficiary
Self Employed
.
,
* significant
A number of respondents made comments about the introduction of the virus to help control wasps.
These comments were made in relation to their attitude to such control methods. Table 43 records the
main comments that were made. The main thrust of the comments was the need to ensure that the
virus would only attack wasps and the avoidance of the danger of introducing a form of control which
could become a pest itself in the future.
TABLE 43
Comments Referring to Introduction of Wasp Virus
(% of Those Who Made Comments)
Need For Good Research
If Only Affects Wasps
Not Well Informed
Needs To Be Well Controlled
Dangerous/Mutations Occur
Used As Last Option
What Are Other Effects
No More Diseases Introduced
0ber
Total
Valid Resuonses
2A
Possum Problems
2.4.1
Current Problems and Control
Respondents were asked if they had a problem with possums where they live. The results are given
in Table 44. Only 23.4 per cent of respondents indicated they had a problem with possums.
TABLE 44
Is There A Possum Problem Where You Live
(% of A.ll Resmndents)
Yes
No
Don't Know
Total
Valid Responses
?'his response was analyzed according to whether the respondents live in a rural, town or city area.
A much higher proportion of those respondents who live in rural areas indicated they had a problem
with possums (48.8 per cent) (Table 44A).
TABLE 44A
Where You Live Bv Do You Have a Possum Problem Where You Live
(% of All Respondents)
Rural
Town
City
Yes
No
Don't Know
Total
Valid Responses
* significant
All respondents were asked if they thought the possum problem had "become worse, is much the
@sameor become less over the last five years". A high proportion of respondents (76.) per cent)
thought the problem had become worse (Table 45).
TABLE 45
Has The NZ Possum Problem Changed Latelv
(% of All Respondents)
Become Worse
The Same
Become Less
Don't Know
Total
Valid Responses
1005
The view of the New Zealand possum problem was significantly related to the age of the respondent
with a higher proportion of older respondents thinking the problem had become worse than did
younger respondents (Table 46).
TABLE 46
Age BY Has NZ Possum Problem Changed
(% of All Respondents)
20 and
under
21-30
31-40
41-50
51-60
Over 60
Become Worse
64.8
63.8
70.2
80.4
77.3
87.8
The Same
18.5
26.2
18.9
10.3
12.1
4.8
Become Less
7.4
1.3
2.6
2.5
2.1
0.4
Don't Know
9.3
8.7
8.3
6.9
8.5
1.6
Total
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
Valid
Responses
f
* significant
A higher proportion of rural living respondents thought the problem had worsened than did
respondents in the t o m or cities (Table 47).
TABLE 47
Where You Live By Has NZ Possum Problem Changed
(% of All Respondents)
-
-
Rural
Town
City
1.3
2.8
1.9
100.0
100.0
100.0
166
312
521
Become Worse
The Same
Become Less
Total
Valid Responses
* significant
Respondents were asked to indicate if they thought enough was being done to control possums in
New Zealand. The largest group (64.6per cent) thought that not enough was being done (Table 48).
This response was related to the age of the respondent (Table 49)where a higher proportion of older
respondents thought that not enough was being done. This reflects the greater perception of older
respondents of the severity of the problem.
TABLE 48
Is Enough Being Done To Control Possums
(% of All Respondents)
Yes
17.0
No
64.6
Don't Know
18.5
Total
100.0
Valid Responses
1002
TABLE 49
Age Bv Is Enough Being Done About Possum Problem
(% of All Respondents)
*
20 and
under
21-30
31-40
41-50
51-60
Over 60
Yes
33.3
20.9
22.8
11.3
14.2
11.4
No
59.3
56.1
60.1
71.4
67.4
68.0
Don't Know
7.4
23.0
17.1
17.2
18.4
20.6
Total
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
54
149
228
204
141
229
Valid Responses
* significant
There was no relationship between where the respondent lived and the attitude to the effort being
expended on the possum problem (Table 50).
TABLE 50
Where You Live Bv Is Enough Being Done About The Possum Problem
(% of All Respondents)
Rural
Town
Citv
166
311
519
Yes
No
Don't Know
Total
Valid Responses
There was a significantdifferencebetween males and females with respect to the attitude to the degree
of effort being expended on possum control. A higher proportion of males thought not enough was
being done (73.7 per cent of males cf. 57.8 per cent of females) (Table 51). A significant proportion
of females (23.1 per cent) indicated they "don't know" if enough is being done.
TABLE 51
Respondent Sex Bv Is Enough Done to Control Possums
(% of All Respondents)
Male
Female
Yes
No
Don't Know
Total
Valid Responses
* significant
"
b
2.4.2
Attitudes to Possum Control Methods
Table 51 provides information on the respondent views of the suitability of particular possum control
methods. Possum shooting was the most favoured method (69.2per cent of respondents find this to
be very suitable or suitable). Trapping was also considered to be very suitable or suitable by more
than half the respondents (57.2per cent). Use of viruses, 1080 poison and cyanide was supported by
40 to 50 per cent of the respondents. The use of predators was thought to be unsuitable or very
unsuitable by a large proportion of the respondents.
TABLE 51A
Attitudes To Possum Control Measures
(% of All Respondents)
Shooting
e
1080
Cyanide
Trapping
Disease
eg.Vims
Predators
VgTY
Suitable
17.2
7.6
8.6
12.6
13.9
2.5
Suitable
52.0
36.8
35.1
44.6
35.1
13.2
Cumulative
Percent
69.2
44.4
43.7
57.2
49.0
15.7
Unsuitable
26.1
37.4
37.5
31.6
26.3
44.6
v e ~
Unsuitable
3.0
11.4
13.7
9.6
19.4
36.8
Don*t Know
1.7
6.7
5.1
1.6
5.3
2.9
1004
1004
1005
1004
1004
Valid
Responses
1005
The attitude to the methods of possum control was analyzed according to the sex of the respondent.
Table 52 indicates the result for shooting. There was no significant difference between males and
femaks.
TABLE 52
Respondent Sex By Attitude to Shooting Possums as Control Measure
(% of All Respondents)
Male
Female
Very Suitable
17.2
17.1
Suitable
48.1
55.0
Unsuitable
29.8
23.4
Very Unsuitable
3.O
3.O
Don't Know
1.9
1.5
Total
100.0
100.0
430
573
Valid Responses
b
Table 53 provides the analysis for the use of 1080. This result indicates that a significantly higher
proportion of females find this method to be unsuitable or very unsuitable than do males. A similar
result is shown in Table 54 for the use of cyanide. There was no significant difference between males
and females with respect to the use of trapping and predators. However, for the use of viruses there
was a significant difference between males and females with a higher proportion of females finding
this method to be unsuitable of very unsuitable (Table 55).
TABLE 53
Respondent Sex Bv Attitude to 1080 For Possum Control
(% of All Respondents)
Male
Female
Very Suitable
Suitable
Unsuitable
Very Unsuitable
Don't Know
Total
Valid Responses
---
* significant
--
- --
TABLE 54
Respondent Sex Bv Attitude to Cvanide Use For Possum Control
(% of All Res~ondents)
Male
Female
Very Suitable
Suitable
Unsuitable
Very Unsuitable
Don't Know
Total
Valid Responses
* significant
TABLE 55
Reswndent Sex Bv Attitude to Possum Viruses as Form of Control
(% of All Respondents)
Male
Female
Very Suitable
18.6
Suitable
37.4
33.3
Unsuitable
25.1
27.2
100.0
100.0
430
573
Very Unsuitable
Don't Know
Total
Valid Responses
* significant
The responses were also analyzed according to the age of the respondents. A significant relationship
was found between the respondent age and the attitude to the use of cyanide, viruses and predators.
Higher proportions of older respondents find the use of cyanide to be very suitable or suitable (Table
56) while higher proportions of younger people find the use of diseases to be very suitable or suitable
(Table 57). The use of predators was also supported more by younger people (Table 58). There was
no significant relationship with age for the other control methods.
TABLE 56
Age Bv Attitude to the Use of Cyanide for Possums
(% of All Respondents)
20 and
under
21-30
31-40
41-50
51-60
Over 60
5.6
6.7
5.3
8.8
12.8
10.9
Suitable
29.6
29.5
39.0
33.8
35.8
37.1
Unsuitable
46.3
45.6
37.7
40.7
31.9
30.6
Very Unsuitable
18.5
15.4
13.2
13.2
14.8
11.8
Don't Know
-
2.7
4.8
3.4
5.0
9.6
Total
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
54
149
228
204
141
229
Very Suitable
,
Valid Responses
* significant
TABLE 57
Ape Bv Attitude to Use of Diseases, en. Viruses for Possums
(% of All Respondents)
-
20 and
under
21-30
31-40
41-50
51-60
Over 60
Very Suitable
20.4
18.1
14.0
14.2
12.1
10.5
Suitable
46.3
42.3
39.0
34.3
22.0
32.3
Unsuitable
18.5
22.8
24.1
26.0
33.3
28.4
Very Unsuitable
11.1
14.1
18.0
22.5
24.8
20.1
Don't Know
3.7
2.7
4.8
2.9
7.1
8.7
Total
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
54
149
228
204
141
229
Valid Responses
* significant
TABLE 58
Ane Bv Attitude to Use of Predators for Possums
(7% of All Respondents)
20 and
under
21-30
31-40
41-50
51-60
Over 60
7.4
4.0
3.1
1.O
0.7
2.2
Suitable
16.7
19.5
13.6
11.3
10.7
10.9
Unsuitable
38.9
45.6
46.5
47.1
38.4
45.0
Very Unsuitable
33.3
27.5
36.0
38.7
45.5
37.6
Don't Know
3.7
3.4
0.9
2.0
4.3
4.4
Total
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
54
149
228
204
141
229
Very Suitable
Valid Responses
* significant
An analysis of the responses according to where the respondent lives and the attitude to possum
control methods was carried out. The only significant relationship occurred with respect to the
trapping of possums where a higher proportion of those living in rural areas find this method to be
suitable or very suitable compared to respondents who live in towns or the city (Table 59).
TABLE 59
W e r e You Live Bv Attitude to Trapping. Possums
(% of All Respondents)
---
Town
City
Very Suitable
Suitable
Unsuitable
Very Unsuitable
Don't Know
Total
Valid Responses
* significant
There were no significant relationships between respondent occupatioh or education and the
respondent attitude to the possible possum control measures.
The analysis of the respondent attitude to the use of natural enemies and diseases with respect to the
attitude to the use of diseases to control possums indicated a strong relationship. Over 70 per cent
of those who are in favour of the use of natural enemies and diseases find the use of a possum virus
to be very suitable or suitable. However, 31.1 per cent of those who are generally against this form
of control find a possum virus to be very suitable or suitable (Table 60). A little over 50 per cent of
those who "don't know" about the general method support the use of viruses for possums.
TABLE 60
Attitude to Introduction of Disease & Enemies
Bv Use of Possum Viruses As Form of Control
(% of All Respondents)
In Favour of Introduced
Diseases?
e
Yes
No
Don't Know
5.2
4.1
12.6
Possum Virus Disease:
Very Suitable
Suitable
Unsuitable
Very Unsuitable
Don't Know
ps
Total
Valid Responses
* significant
,
2.4.3
Attitudes to Disease Control Method for Possums
v
*
Respondents were asked how they would feel about the possible introduction of a disease to kill
possums in New Zealand. They were given the options of "good idea", "OK" and "opposed. Over
half (54.2 per cent) indicated they either thought this was a good idea or was OK (Table 61).
J
TABLE 61
Attitude To Introduction of Possum Disease
(% of All Respondents)
Good Idea
OK
Cumulative Percent
oppo=d
Don't Know
Don't Care
Valid Responses
4
The response was analyzed according to the respondent sex, age, occupation and education. There
was a significant relationship between the sex of the respondent and the attitude to this form of
possum control. Over 60 per cent of males were in favour of the method whereas only 47.1 per cent
of the females were in favour (Table 62).
TABLE 62
Respondent Sex Bv Attitude to Introduction of Possum Disease
(% of All Respondents)
Male
Female
Good Idea
OK
opposed
Don't Know
Don't Care
Total
Valid Responses
b
* significant
The age of the respondent was also significantly related to the attitude to this form of control with
younger respondents being more in favour of it and older respondents more opposed (Table 63).
TABLE 63
Age Bv Attitude to Introduction of Possum Disease
(% of All Respondents)
20,and
under
21-30
3140
41-50
51-60
Over 60
Good Mea
37.0
33.6
34.2
26.5
220
28.8
OK
352
31.5
27.6
21.6
14.9
22.3
*pod
Don9t Know
25.9
32.2
36.8
49.2
56.7
40.6
1.9
2.7
1.3
2.7
6.4
8.3
Total
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
54
149
228
204
141
V a B Responses
229
-
* significant
There was no significant relationship between where the respondent lives, the respondent's education
or occupation with respect to the attitude to the possible introduction of a possum disease.
There continued to be a correlation between the attitude of respondents to the general idea of the use
of natural enemies and diseases and the use of diseases for possums (Table 64). However, again a
significant number of those respondents (35.9 per cent) opposed to the general idea were not opposed
to the use of a disease for possums.
TABLE 64
Attitude to Introduction of Disease & Enemies
By Attitude to Introduction of Possum Disease
(% of All Respondents)
In Favour of Introduced
Donft Know
Yes
Possum Disease:
Good Idea
OK
Opposed
Donft Know
Donft Care
%
Total
Valid Responses
406
509
87
* Significant
Table 65 provides a list of comments some respondents provided as additional information concerning
their opinions on the use of diseases for possum control. As with wasp viruses, the need for
specificity and good control and research was emphasised.
~ohrnentsReferring To Introduction of Possum Disease
(% of Those Who Made Comments)
If It Affects Only Possums
Need To Be Well Controlled
Need To Be Well Researched
If Quick and Humane
Something Needs To Be Done
Opposed To Diseases
Side Effects / Dangerous
Other
Total
Valid Responses
2.5
Rabbit Problems
2.5.1
Current Problems and Control
Respondents were asked if they had a rabbit problem where they live. The results are given in Table
6g0 Only 12.0 per cent of respondents indicated that they had a rabbit problem where they live. A
higher proportion of those in rural areas (27.7 per cent) have a rabbit problem (Table 67).
TABLE 66
Is There A Rabbit Problem Where You Live
(% of All Respondents)
Yes
No
Don't Know
Total
Valid Responses
TABLE 67
Where You Live Bv Do You Have a Rabbit Problem
(% of All Respondents)
Rural
Tom
City
Yes
No
Don't Know
Total
Valid Responses
* significant
The age of the respondent appeared to be related to the recognition of a rabbit problem "where they
live" with a higher proportion of younger respondents declaring that there is a problem (Table 68).
TABLE 68
Age Bv Do You Have Rabbit Problem
(% of All Respondents)
20 and
21-30
31-40
41-50
5160
Over 60
under
Yes
Don't Know
3.7
0.7
-
-
-
0.6
Total
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
54
149
228
204
141
229
Valid Responses
* significant
b
Respondents were asked to indicate if they thought he rabbit problem in New Zealand had become
worse, was much the same or less over the last five years. The responses are given in Table 69. Most
respondents (88.8 per cent) thought the problem had become worse.
TABLE 69
Has The NZ Rabbit Problem Changed Over the Last Five Years
(% of All Respondents)
Become Worse
The Same
Become Less
Don't Know
Total
Valid Responses
This response was related to the age of the respondent with more older respondents thinking the
problem had worsened (Table 70).
TABLE 70
Age By Has NZ Rabbit Problem Changed
(% of All Respondents)
20 and
under
21-30
31-40
41-50
51-60
Over 60
Become Worse
75.9
79.2
86.4
92.6
90.0
96.5
The Same
14.8
10.7
10.5
3.9
5.0
1.3
Become Less
-
2.0
0.4
-
-
-
Don't Know
9.3
8.1
2.6
34
5.0
2.2
Total
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
54
149
228
204
141
229
Valid Responses
* significant
There was no significant difference between respondents with respect to where they live and their
views on whether the rabbit problem had changed in the last five years (Table 71).
TABLE 71
Where You Live By Has NZ Rabbit Problem Changed
(% of All Respondents)
Rural
Town
City
Become Worse
The Same
Become Less
Don9t Know
Total
Valid Responses
Respondents were asked to indicate whether they thought enough was being done to control rabbits
in New Zealand. The responses are given in Table 72. Most respondents (79.0 per cent) do not think
enough is k i n g done. Again, there was a significant difference according to the age of the respondent
('Fable 73) with a higher proportion of under 40 year old respondents considering that enough is being
done.
TABLE 72
Is Enough Being Done To Control Rabbits In NZ
(% of All Respondents)
Yes
No
Don't Know
Total
Valid Responses
TABLE 73
Ane Bv Is Enou~hBeing Done to Control Rabbits
(% of All Respondents)
20 and
under
21-30
31-40
41-50
51-60
Over 60
Yes
14.8
15.4
16.7
8.3
5.7
7.9
No
685
72.5
74.1
82.8
85.7
83.0
Don't Know
16.7
12.1
9.2
8.8
8.6
9.2
Total
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
54
149
228
204
141
229
Valid Responses
* significant
A higher proportion of males (84.8per cent) think not enough is being done than do females (74.7per
cent) (Table 74).
TABLE 74
Reswndent Sex Bv Is Enough Done to Control Rabbits
(% of All Respondents)
Male
Female
Yes
No
Don't Know
Total
Valid Responses
* significant
There was no difference between the respondents according to where they lived and their attitude
to whether enough is being done or not (Table 75).
TABLE 75
Where You Live By Is Enough Being Done to Control Rabbits
(% of All Respondents)
Rural
Town
City
Yes
Don't Know
Total
Valid Responses
2.5.2.
Attitudes to Rabbit Control Methods
Respondents were asked to indicate how suitable they thought six different rabbit control methods
are. They were asked to consider a range from "very suitable", "suitable", "unsuitable" to "very
unsuitable". The responses for all respondents are given in Table 76. Shooting and commercial
harvesting were the techniques considered most suitable with 68.3 per cent and 74.1 per cent of
respondents respectively considering these methods to be very suitable or suitable. Diseases and 1080
poisoning were the next most suitable (46.2 per cent and 45.3 per cent of respondents respectively).
Gassing and predators were considered the least suitable.
TABLE 76
Attitudes Towards Rabbit Control Measures
(% of All Respondents)
-
Shooting
1080
- -
Gas
-
Comm.
Harvest
Disease
Predator
Very Suitable
Suitable
Cum. Percent
Unsuitable
Very
Unsuitable
Don't Know
Valid
Responses
The attitudes toward rabbit control methods were analyzed according to the sex of the respondents.
This indicated a significant difference between males and females for all control methods except
commercial harvesting. A higher proportion of females found shooting rabbits to be very suitable or
suitable (Table 77), a bwer proportion of females found the use of 1080 poison, gassing, diseases and
predators to be suitable or very suitable (Tables 78 to 81).
TABLE 77
Resmndent Sex Bv Attitude to Shooting Rabbits as Control Measure
(% of All Respondents)
Male
Female
Very Suitable
Suitable
Unsuitable
Very Unsuitable
Don't Know
Total
Valid Responses
,* significant
TABLE 78
Respondent Sex Bv Attitude to 1080 for Rabbit Control
(% of All Respondents)
Male
Female
37.2
41.5
Very Unsuitable
6.5
14.1
Don't Know
2.3
5.6
Total
100.0
100.0
430
573
Very Suitable
Suitable
Unsuitable
Valid Responses
* significant
TABLE 79
Respondent Sex Bv Attitude to Gassing Rabbits for Control
(% of All Respondents)
----
Male
Fede
Very Suitable
Suitable
Unsuitable
Very Unsuitable
Don't Know
Total
Valid Responses
* significant
TABLE 80
Respondent Sex Bv Attitude to Use of Predators for Rabbits
(% of All Respondents)
Male
Female
430
573
Very Suitable
Suitable
Unsuitable
Very Unsuitable
Don't Know
Total
Valid Responses
TABLE 81
Respondent Sex Bv Attitude to Rabbit Diseases as Form of Control
(% of All Respondents)
Male
Female
Very Suitable
Suitable
Unsuitable
Very Unsuitable
Don't Know
"
Total
Valid Responses
* significant
The analysis was also carried out with respect to the age of the respondents. The only control method
where the attitude to it differed according to the age of the respondents was the use of gas (Table 82).
A higher proportion of younger people found this method to be unsuitable or very unsuitable.
TABLE 82
Age Bv Attitude to Use of Gas for Rabbits
(% of All Respondents)
20 and
under
21-30
31-40
41-50
51-60
Over 60
3.7
-
4.8
4.9
5.7
8.3
Suitable
22.2
23.5
24.6
22.5
27.7
31.9
Unsuitable
55.6
51.7
51.8
50.5
46.1
31.9
Very Unsuitable
18.5
16.1
10.1
14.2
13.5
13.5
Don't Know
-
8.7
8.8
7.8
7.1
14.4
Total
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
54
149
228
204
141
229
Very Suitable
, Valid Responses
* Significant
The analysis of the respondents according to where they lived and their attitude to the various control
methods resulted in a significant relationship being identified for gassing and the use of rabbit
diseases. With respect to gassing (Table 83), a higher proportion of rural dwellers found this to be
suitable or very suitable. With respect to diseases (Table 84), a lower proportion of rural people think
this method is unsuitable or very unsuitable and a higher proportion "don't know". A higher
proportion of city dwellers think this method is "very suitable" (20.5 per cent). However, when the
"very suitable" and "suitable" responses are taken together, there is no difference between the rural,
town and city dwellers,
TABLE 83
Where You Live Bv Attitude to Gassing; Rabbits
(% of All Respondents)
Rural
Town
City
7.8
5.1
4.0
Suitable
30.2
20.5
27.4
Unsuitable
44.6
52.2
44.0
9.0
13.5
15.0
166
312
521
Very Suitable
Very Unsuitable
Don't Know
Total
Valid Responses
* significant
TABLE 84
Where You Live Bv Attitude to the Use of Rabbit Diseases as Form of Control
(% of All Respondents)
Rural
Town
City
Very Suitable
Suitable
Unsuitable
Very Unsuitable
Don't Know
Total
Valid Responses
* significant
In order to assess the degree of consistency between attitudes of respondents to the general concept
of using diseases and natural enemies as a control method and the specific prospect of using a disease
for rabbit control, a crosstabulation analysis of the two sets of responses was carried out. This
indicates that a strong relationship exists with 66.0 per cent of those who generally approve of such
control methods finding the use of a virus disease for rabbits to be very suitable or suitable (Table 85).
By contrast, only 29.4 per cent of respondents who are generally opposed find a rabbit disease to be
very suitable or suitable. However, this proportion is significantly high given the general opposition
of such people to the use of this type of control method. Over half (50.6 per cent) of those who "don't
know" where they stand on the general issue, find the use of a rabbit disease to be very suitable or
suitable.
TABLE 85
Attitude to Introduction of Enemies and Diseases
bv Attitude to Use of Rabbit Diseases as Form of Control
(% of All Respondents)
In Favour of Introduced
Diseases?
Yes
No
Don't Know
Rabbit Virus Disease:
Very Suitable
Suitable
Unsuitable
Very Unsuitable
Don't Know
Total
Valid Responses
* Significant
The responses were analysed according to the respondent's education and occupation. There was no
significant relationship between these factors and the sespondenfs attitude to rabbit diseases.
Respondents were asked if there are "any other control methods which you would consider suitable".
Those respondents who thought there were were asked to identify those methods. Table 86 indicates
that 19.3 per cent of respondents thought there were other suitable control methods. Table 87 provides
information on the "other" methods which were thought suitable. The main methods suggested were
"birth control", "using the unemployed and reinstating a bounty on rabbits.
TABLE 86
Are There Anv Other Suitable Control Methods
(% of All Respondents)
Yes
No
Don't Know
.
Total
Valid Responses
TABLE 87
Other Control Methods Considered Suitable .
(% of Those Who Thought of Other Control Methods)
Breeding Controls *
Use Unemployed
Trapping
Rabbit Proof Fencing
Reinstate Rabbit Board
Bounty/Pay Out For Rabbit
Shooting
Land Management
Ferrets and Cats
Other
Total
Valid Responses
* Includes: Biodynamics, sterilisation, contraception
There was a significantrelationship between the respondent's sex and the identification of other forms
of rabbit control (Table 87A). A higher proportion of females (than males) suggested the use of
breeding controls while a lower proportion suggested use of the unemployed. A higher proportion
of males (than females) suggested use of a "bounty or pay out" system.
TABLE 87A
Resmndent Sex Bv Other Rabbit Control Methods Considered Suitable
(% of Those Who Mentioned Other Control Methods)
Male
Female
Breeding Controls
Use Unemployed
Trapping
Rabbit Proof Fencing
~ e i t a t Rabbit
e
Board
Bounty/Pay Oolt For
Rabbit
Shooting
Land Management
Other
Total
Valid Responses
* Significant
A further question designed to identify all possible means of rabbit control, at least in the minds of
the public, was asked "Is there anNing else that could be done about rabbits?" The responses are
given in Table 88. The main responses were "breeding controls", "sell rabbit products" and "shoot
commercially".
TABLE 88
What Else Can Be Done About Rabbits
(% of Those Who Felt Something Else Could Be Done)
-
--
Breeding Controls
Use Unemployed
Sell Rabbit Products
Tail Bounty
Reinstate Rabbit Boards
Shoot Commercially
More Should Be Done
Farm Commercially
Rabbit Netting
'*
Alternative Land Use
Use Diseases
Other
Total
Valid Resuonses
Table 89 indicates that a higher proportion of males (22.3 per cent) had alternative ideas on rabbit
control than did females (17.1per cent). (The factors of "where you live" and "respondent age" were
not significantly related lo the idea of other control methods.)
TABLE 89
Reswndent Sex By Are There Any Other Suitable Rabbit Controls
(% of All Respondents)
Male
Yes
No
Don't Know
Total
Valid Resvonses
* Significant
Female
2.5.3
Attitudes to Myxomatosis for Rabbits
Respondents were asked if they had heard of myxomatosis. A very high proportion (88.8 per cent)
indicated that they had (Table 90). Having heard of myxomatosis was related to the age of the
respondent (Table 91). A much higher proportion of older people had heard of the disease than had
younger people (97.4 per cent of those over 60 years cf. 60.4 per cent of those 20 years or less).
TABLE 90
Have You Heard of Myxomatosis Before
(% of All Respondents)
Yes
No
Total
Vgid Responses
TABLE 91
Age By Have You Heard of Mvxomatosis
(% of All Respondents)
20 Years or
Less
21-30
31-40
41-50
51-60
Over 60
60.4
78.5
88.2
93.1
91.5
97.4
39.6
21.5
11.8
6.9
8.5
2.6
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
54
149
228
204
141
229
Yes
NO
9
Total
Valid Responses
* Significant
There was no difference between respondents with respect to where they live and their having heard
of anyxomatosis (Table 92) with rural, town and city dwellers being equally represented.
TABLE 92
Where You Live BY Have You Heard of Mvxomatosis
(% of All Respondents)
Rural
Town
City
Yes
No
Total
Valid Responses
There was a significant relationship between the occupation of the respondents and whether they had
heard of myxomatosis (Table 93) with 98.3 per cent of retired respondents (age related), 93.9 per cent
of Technical/Professional respondents and 100 per cent of farmers having heard of the disease.
TABLE 93
Occupation Bv Have You Heard of Mvxomatosis
(% of All Respondents)
Yes
No
Total
Valid Response
Retired
Clerical
Service
Housewife
Technical/ Professional
Production/ Labour
Fanner
'
*i
Sales
Agriculture
Administrationl
Managerial
,
Student
Unemployed
Sickness Beneficiary
Self Employed
* Significant
Education after high school was also significantly related to having heard of myxomatosis with a
higher proportion of those who had such education having heard of the disease (Table 94).
TABLE 94
Education After High School By Have You Heard of Mvxomatosis
(% of All Respondents)
Yes
No
Don't Know
Yes Heard of Myxo
92.7
85.8
100.0
No Have Not Heard of Myxo
7.39
14.2
-
100.0
100.0
100.0
436
557
1
Total
Valid Responses
* Significant
Those people who had heard of myxomatosis were asked "from what you know, how does
myxomatosis affect rabbits?". The responses are given in Table 95. "Slow death was given by 39.6
per cent of these respondents and "Unpleasant/painful" was given by 27.3 per cent of these
respondents. Many other responses emphasised the unpleasant manner of the rabbit's death and the
perception of the public that myxomatosis is a most "unfortunate way" for a rabbit to die.
TABLE 95
How Does Myxomatosis Affect Rabbits
(% of Those Who Have Heard Of Myxomatosis)
Don't Know
Slow Death
Unpleasant/Painful
Cruel
Beformed/Swollen
Growths and Lesions
Kills Them
Affects Nervous System
Fia virus
Causes Blindness
Rots 'Them Inside To &It
Effective/Is Needed '
Develop Tolerance
Get Right Strain
Seen TV Programme
Other
Total
Valid Responses
An analysis of the responses on "how myxornatosis affects rabbits" according to the sex of the
respondent was canied out. The results are given in Table 96. This analysis indicated that there is
no significant difference between the views of males and females on the effect of the disease.
TABLE 96
Respondent Sex Bv How Mvxomatosis Affects Rabbits
(% of Those Who Have Heard of Myxomatosis)
Male
Female
Don't Know
Slow Death
Unpleasant/Painful
Cruel
Deformed/Swollen
Growths and Lesions
Kills Them
3
Nervous System Affected
Flea Virus
Causes Blindness
Rots Them Inside To Out
Effective/Is Needed
Develop Tolerance
Get Right Strain
Seen TV Programme
Other
Total
Valid Responses
Respondents were asked "which of the following best describes how you feel about introducing
myxomatosis to New Zealand". The respondents were given a choice between "good idea", "OK" and
"opposed. The responses are given in Table 97. Nearly half the respondents (49.2 per cent) thought
the introduction was a "good idea" or "OK while 45.1 per cent were "opposed". There was a
significant difference between the support for the introduction of myxomatosis according to the sex
of the respondent with a higher proportion of women opposed to it (54.0 per cent female cf. 35.4 per
cent male) (Table 98). There was no significant difference between the respondents according to their
dwelling location and their attitude to the introduction of myxomatosis (Table 99).
TABLE 97
Attitude Towards Introduction of Mvxomatosis
(% of All Respondents)
Good Idea
OK
Cumulative Percent
Don't Know
Don't Care
Valid Responses
TABLE 98
Respondent Sex Bv Attitude to Introduction of Mvxomatosis
(% of Those Who Have Heard of Myxornatosis)
Male
Female
Good Idea
33.7
17.2
OK
27.1
23.3
OP%sos~
Don't Know
35.4
54.0
3.8
5.5
Total
100.0
100.0
395
494
Valid Responses
* Significant
TABLE 99
Where You Live Bv Attitude to Introduction of Mvxomatosis
(% of Those Who Have Heard of Myxomatosis)
Rural
Town
Citv
Good Idea
OK
Opposed
Don't Know
Total
Valid Responses
Respondent age and occupation were not significantly related to attitudes to the introduction of
myxomatosis.
The responses were analyzed according to the relationship between those generally opposed to the
use of natural enemies and diseases and their attitude to the introduction of myxomatosis. Over 70
per cent (70.5 per cent) of those in favour of introduced diseases and natural enemies were not
opposed to myxomatosis (Table 100). Of those who are opposed to the use of natural enemies and
diseases, 32.0 per cent thought the use of myxomatosis was a "good idea" or "OK while 48.3 per cent
of those who "don't know" about natural enemies and diseases thought that introducing myxomatosis
was a "good idea" or "OK.
TABLE 100
Attitude to Introduction of Enemies and Diseases
Bv Attitude to Introduction of Mvxomatosis
(% of All Respondents)
In Favour of
Introduced Diseases?
Yes
No
Don't Know
Don't Know
4.0
5.3
17.2
Total
100.0
100.0
100.0
404
509
87
Introducing
Mvxomatosis?
,
Good Idea
OK
Valid Responses
* Significant
Some respondents (21.5 per cent) made further comments about introducing myxomatosis while they
were indicating if this was a good idea or not. These comments are presented in Table 101.
TABLE 101
Comments About Introduction of Mvxomatosis
(% of Those Who Made Comments)
If Well Researched
If Doesn't Affect Anything Else
As Last Resort
Necessary But Cruel
Strongly Opposed
If Hurnane/Prefer More Humane Way
Rabbits Must Be Controlled
In High Rabbit Areas
Other *
Total
Valid Responses
* Includes: Need More Information, Kills Other Things, Become Immune.
All respondents were asked if they "would like to make any comments about the possible use of
myxomatosis in New Zealand". Most (63.7 per cent) did not make any further comments. The
comments made by the remaining 36.3 per cent of respondents are given in Table 102.
TABLE 102
Anv Other Mvxomatosis Comments
(% of Those Who Made Comments)
No Way To Be Used
Necessary But Cruel
If Gets Only Rabbits
Something Needs To Be Done
Very Cruel
Controlled and Researched
%hething Else Should Be Used
Will Harm Other Things / Dangerous
Donft Introduce More Diseases
Restrict High Rabbit Areas
Develop Resistance
Rabbits Ruining Farmers
Need More Information
Other *
Total
Valid Responses
* Includes: If DSIR say OK, Pest Board Control, Try on Possums
The possibility of introducing another form of disease to control rabbits was explored with the
question "Which of the following statements best describes how you feel about the introduction of any
other kind of disease, such as Spanish Flu Virus, to help control rabbits - Good Idea, OK, Opposed?"
The responses are given in Table 103. Only 27.5 per cent of respondents found this to be a "good idea"
or "OK" while 49.1 per cent were "opposed. The movement out of the "in favour" category was into
the "don't know" category which was 23.1 per cent of respondents. There was a significant
relationship between the sex of the respondent and the attitude to the introduction of other rabbit
diseases (Table 104) where a higher proportion of females were "opposed" to this possibility.
Respondent age was also a significant factor with a higher proportion of older people being opposed
or "don't know" about the introduction of another form of disease (Table 105). There was no
relationship between the dwelling location and the attitude to introduction of another form of rabbit
disease (Table 106). Respondent education and occupation were not significantly related to the
respondent's attitude to the introduction of another form of rabbit disease.
TABLE 103
Attitude Toward Introduction of Anv Other Rabbit Diseases
(% of All Respondents)
Good Idea
OK
Cumulative Percent
Opposed
Don't Know
Don't Care
Valid Responses
TABLE 104
*
Respondent Sex Bv Attitude to Introduction of Other Rabbit Diseases
(% of All Respondents)
Male
Female
Good Idea
Don't Know
Total
Valid Responses
* Significant
TABLE 105
Age Bv Attitude to Introduction of Other Rabbit Diseases
(% of All Respondents)
20 and
under
21-30
31-40
41-50
51-60
Over 60
48.1
14.8
44.3
14.8
42.9
24.8
53.0
24.8
50.7
25.7
54.4
25.9
-
-
-
0.4
-
0.4
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
54
149
228
204
141
229
Good Idea
OK
OPposed
Don't Know
Don't Care
Total
Valid Responses
* Significant
TABLE 106
Where You Live Bv Attitude To Introduction of Other Rabbit Diseases
(% of All Respondents)
Rural
Town
City
Good Idea
OK
Opposed
Don't Know
Don't Care
Total
Valid Responses
Only 15.7 per cent of those generally opposed to the introduction of natural enemies and diseases
found the introduction of another form of rabbit disease to be a "good idea" or "OK (Table 107) while
26.9 per cent of those generally in favour of such mechanisms were "opposed" to the introduction of
another form of rabbit disease.
TABLE 107
By
In Favour of Introduced
Diseases?
Attitude to Introduction of Disease & Enemies
Attitude to Introduction of Other Rabbit Diseases
(% of All Respondents)
Yes
No
Don't Know
Good Idea
17.8
5.1
7.0
Don't Know
29.1
17.6
27.9
Don't Care
0.2
-
1.2
100.0
100.0
100.0
405
505
86
Other Rabbit Disease:
Total
Valid Responses
'
* Significant
A number of the respondents (23.3 per cent) made comments about the possible introduction of other
rabbit diseases (Table 108). These comment expressed some concern about the potential for such
diseases to attack other things apart from rabbits and continued the theme of caution against
introducing a other species as natural enemies or diseases.
TABLE 108
Comments Referring To Introduction of Any Other Rabbit Diseases
(% of Those Who Made Comments)
If Only Gets Rabbits
Need More Information
If Well Researched
If Quick and Humane
Viruses Dangerous
If Well Controlled
Have Enough Diseases
What About Side Effects
m
Something Needs Doing
Other
Total
Valid Responses
2.6
Survev Statistics
Table 109 provides information on the age of the respondents to the survey. Table 110 provides
information on the education of the respondents and Table 111 indicates the respondents' occupations.
Table 112 indicates the split between rural, town and city dwelling, Table 113 provides information
on the geographic spread of the respondents and Table 114 provides the data on the sex of the
respondents.
TABLE 109
Respondents Ages
(% of All Respondents)
20 and under
21 to 30
31 to 40
41 to 50
51 to 60
Over 60
Total
Valid Responses
TABLE 110
Was Anv Form of Education Completed After High School
(% of All Respondents)
Yes
No
Don't Know
Total
Valid Responses
TABLE 111
Usual Occupation of Respondent
(% of All Respondents)
%rofessi0~\~11/Techied
Clerical
Sales
Service
Froduction/h?mur
Admidstratiom
Farmer
A@cu%tural
Retired
House Wife
Self Employed
Unempbyed
Beneficiary
Student
Total
Valid Responses
TABLE 112
Where Do You Live
(% of All Respondents)
Rural
Town
City
Total
Valid Responses
999
TABLE 113
Region Respondent Lives In
(% of All Respondents)
Northland
4.5
Auckland
26.9
Waikato
7.1
King Country
0.8
Thames
1.3
Bay of Plenty
4.7
East Cape
1.3
Hawkes Bay
4.4
Taranaki
3.5
Wanganui
2.3
Manawatu
2.5
Wairarapa
1.4
Horowhenua
0.5
Wellington
9.3
Marlborough/Nelson
3.4
Buller/ Westland
1.1
Canterbury
11.7
South Canterbury
2.6
Otago
5.5
Southland
5.1
Total
Valid Responses
100.0
1000
TABLE 114
Reswndent Sex
(% of All Respondents)
Male
Female.
Total
Valid Responses
CONUUSIONS
Two major points emerged from this study.
The first major point is the populations' conception of the seriousness of a range of NZ pests. Rabbits,
Possums and Wasps are thought to be very serious or serious pests by a large majority of the NZ
population. Fruit Fly, Grass Grubs, Flies, Termites and Rats are also considered serious or very
serious by approximately half the population (Table 1, Page 5).
The second major point is the view that the use of natural enemies and diseases is considered by a
majority of the population as not a good way of controlling pests in New Zealand (Table 13, Page 11).
3.1
Pest Seriousness
Attitudes to pest seriousness tend to vary according to the age and sex of the person concerned. Pest
seriousness differences are mostly related to age. In general, older respondents were more concerned
about pests (considered the pests to be more serious) than were younger people. This can be
concluded to reflect the longer time older people have had to consider the effect of pests and possibly
the greater interest such people take in this type of issue (compared with younger people). The
,increasing indication of seriousness occurred on a reasonably constant scale with no clear division
between a younger and an older age group.
The indication that older people were more concerned about the pests nominated carried over into the
attitudes towards the degree of action being taken against pests. More older people thought that not
enough was being done to control wasps (Table 24, Page 161, possums (Table 49, Page 31) and rabbits
(Table 68, Page 41).
It can therefore be concluded that the perception of a pest problem is likely to be greater the older the
population is. It can also be concluded that older people are more likely to support greater action
against pests than do younger people.
It would be expected that' a locality factor would be important in the perception of the seriousness of
grass grubs as a pest. This was reflected in the results with people who live in rural areas being more
concerned about this pest (Table 10, Page 10). There was no difference between seriousness
perceptions for other pests with respect to the location of residence.
Flies and possums were the only pests to register sex differences with respect to their seriousness.
A higher proportion of females consider flies to be serious than do males (Table 11, Page 10) while
a higher proportion of males consider possums to be serious than do females (Table 12, Page 11). This
result tends to reflect a probable difference between male and female perceptions based on familiarity
with the pests with more females involved in domestic handling of a fly problem and more males
familiar with the production problems caused by possums.
Overall, the age factor was more significant than other respondent characteristics in the expression of
attitudes towards pests and their control.
3.2
Natural Enemies and Diseases
Approximately half the respondents (50.8 per cent, Table 13, Page 11)were opposed to the idea of
introduced natural enemies or diseases being used to control pests in New Zealand. This opposition
was not evenly spread amongst the respondents. More younger people were in favour than were
older people with a lower proportion of those over 40 years old being in favour (Table 15, Page 12).
There were also significant differences between the sexes with a higher proportion of males being in
favour than were females (Table 14, Page 12). These two major differences carried over into the
occupation groups with a higher proportion of retired people, housewives and clerical people being
opposed and higher proportions of agriculture, administration/managerial and sales people being in
favour (Table 17, Page 13).
There was no significant difference between the rural, town and city dwellers with respect to the
attitude to such control measures.
The main reason for the opposition to such methods was the perception of environmental damage that
could be caused through the introduction of other species.
This represents a significant opposition statement to the concept of biological control where this
involves the importation of new organisms. It is possible that this opposition could extend to the use
of genetically modified organisms where such organisms could be seen as constituting a threat to the
present environment.
It can therefore be concluded that the concept of the introduction of new species requires considerable
care and research on specific cases with there being considerable public concern being expressed over
the safety of such practices.
The general attitude against the use of natural enemies and diseases carries over into the reactions to
the specific pest control methods but is modified according to the specific pest.
With respect to wasps, the use of diseases is supported by nearly 58 per cent of respondents (Table
26, Page 17) with a higher proportion of males (Table 301, younger people (Table 33) and better
educated respondents (Table 36) being in favour. Of those generally opposed to natural enemies and
diseases, 42 per cent indicated that the use of a wasp disease (virus) was suitable or very suitable.
Only 49 per cent of respondents thought the use of a disease (virus) was suitable or very suitable for
possum control (Table 51A, Page 32) with a similar relationship (to that for wasps) being seen between
age and sex and the attitude to this form of control. Only 31 per cent of respondents who were
generally opposed to diseases and natural enemies were in favour of their use on possums (Table 60,
Page 37).
The percentage in favour of the use of diseases fell further when rabbits were considered. Only 46
per cent of respondents were in favour of this method (Table 76, Page 44). The relationship between
sex and age continued for this pest and the disease control method. Only 29 per cent of those who
are generally opposed to diseases and natural enemies were in favour of the use of diseases on rabbits
(Table 85, Page 48).
These results tend to indicate that the opposition to the use of diseases is modified by the target the
disease is to be used against. Where the target is a pest which directly affects people (wasps), the
opposition to the use of diseases falls. This decline in opposition could also be related to the different
perception of the pest, i.e. an insect compared with a mammal. However, even where the pest is a
, troublesome insect, the use of diseases is supported by only 58 per cent of the population, meaning
that 42 per cent are opposed or "don't know".
3.3
Use of Other Forms of Pest Control
The results for natural enemies and diseases must be considered alongside the perception of other
forms of pest control in order to maintain a useful perspective of the opposition to the use of diseases
and natural enemies.
With respect to wasps, the use of diseases was favoured by nearly 58 per cent of the respondents, the
same proportion which favoured petrol. Insecticide was favoured by 45 per cent, cyanide by 28 per
cent and a predator by 35 per cent. Therefore' the use of a disease was the equal "most favoured
method for wasp control (Table 26, Page 17).
For possums, 44 per cent were in favour of the use of 1080 and cyanide while 57 per cent were in
favour of trapping, 69 per cent in favour of shooting and only 16 per cent in favour of the use of
predators. This indicates that diseases (favoured by 49 per cent) were equally considered with 1080
and cyanide at a level lower than trapping and shooting (Table 51A, Page 32).
For rabbits, shooting and commercial harvesting were the most favoured (by 68 and 74 per cent
respectively) while 1080 and gas were favoured by 45 and 31 per cent respectively. Predators were
favoured by 20 per cent of respondents. This result indicates that diseases (favoured by 46 per cent
of respondents) were considered equally with 1080 and better than gas or predators but not as highly
as shooting or commercial hatvesting.
,
These results place the attitude to the use of diseases in perspective. Although diseases are not highly
favoured by the respondents as a form of pest control for possums and rabbits (mammals), diseases
are seen as preferable to some other forms of control which are used at present. Where the pest
"directly affects people and is an insect, diseases are seen as suitable by a higher proportion of the
respondents, in fact by a significantly higher proportion than favour the use of insecticides, a form of
control which is commonly used.
3.4
Implications
It could therefore be concluded that the use of diseases as a form of pest control can be considered
as within the acceptable range of methods of pest control, given the attitudes to other forms of pest
control which are available. Where the public can receive reliable information on the accuracy of
targeting of a natural enemy or disease, an increase in the approval of this type of pest control can
be expected. However, a significant core of resistance to this form of control will remain, especially
for use of this on mamngds.
This aspect is illustrated by the response to the question on the introduction of another form of disease
to use on rabbits (i.e. other than myxomatosis). Only 27.5 per cent of respondents were in favour of
this ("Good Idea" or "OK, Table 103, Page 59) while 49.1 per cent remained opposed and 23.1 per cent
"Don't Know". The provision of more information on other forms of disease available could be
expected to lead to a fall in the proportion of respondents who "don't know". However, the significant
degree of resistance to the use of such methods on rabbits (and by implication, other mammals) is
likely to remain.
Aspects of animal cruelty will remain as a significant feature of resistance to the use of diseases as a
pest control measure. For example, most respondents to the survey understood that rabbits suffered
pain from the disease. However, nearly half the respondents (49.1 per cent) thought the introduction
of myxomatosis was a "good idea" or "OK (Table97, Page 56). This indicates that although the public
recognise that some pain is involved in the use of such a pest control measure, a large proportion
consider the control measure to be acceptable given the gains they perceive from its use.
It can therefore be concluded that there is a large proportion of the NZ population (about 50 per cent)
opposed to the introduction of natural enemies and diseases for control of pests. This applies to all
types of pests; However, where the pest is one which affects humans directly, eg. wasps, this
resistance to introduced diseases is less. Where the prospect of introducing a disease to apply to
"warm animals" is considered, the general resistance moves back to about 50 per cent of the
respondents/population.
While some of the resistance to introducing diseases is related to cruelty to the target pest, it would
appear that a more significant factor is the danger of introducing further problems to New Zealand.
It is notable that older people are more concerned about the introduction of further diseases or natural
enemies than are younger people. Perhaps the longer experience of the older people is a factor.
However, information on the selectiveness of introduced disease agents and the concept of biological
control is relatively recent and resistance to this type of pest control is much lower amongst the
younger respondents/population.
It can be concluded that approximately half the NZ population is in favour of the introduction of
myxomatosis for rabbit control. It can also be concluded that a large part of the resistance to this
measure is related to a general objection to the use of such biological control methods rather than a
specific resistance to the use of myxomatosis.
In addition, the general conclusion can be drawn that the use of diseases as a control measure is seen
by the public as an equivalent form of control measure to those other measures which are available.
Where the target of the control measure is identified and there is some confidence of the research
which has been undertaken to ensure the disease's specificity, support for the use of diseases is found
amongst approximately half the adult NZ population.
APPENDIX
Questionnaire on Pest Control
OUESTIONNAIRE ON PEST CONTROL
and I am calling from CMstchurch on
-Good emmhg, m y name is
of 1OW adult peoplew
behalt: of Lincoln University. We axe conducting a national
I would appreciate it if I could talk to the person in your household who normally lives there,
is at, home now, who last had a birthday and who is 18 years or older.
WAIT FOR APPROPRIATE RESPONDENT. REPFNT PREAMBLE AS MARKED AND
C
O
~
,
This survey concerns the control of pests in New Zealand and the best ways of achieving this.
We would like to hear your opinions on the seriousness of some of the pests which are in
New Zeatand and how you feel about the ways in which these pests can be controlled.
1 (a)
Thinking about New Zealand as a whole, I would like you to tell me how serious
some New Zealand pests are. I will read out a list of pests and I would like you
to tell me whether you think they are very serious (11, serious (21, not very serious
(3) or not at all serious (4).
PLACE THE APPROPRIATE NUMBER AFIER EACH PEST
........
........
........
........
(a) Rats
(c) Fruit Fly
2;
(el Flies
(g) Possums
Cb) Termites
(d) Wasps
(0Grass Grubs
(h) Rabbits
........
........
........
........
(b)
Are there h y other pests which you consider to be serious in New Zealand?
[OBTAIN SERIOUSNESS RANKING FOR EACH GIVEN AS ABOVE]
2
Quite often, animals which are pests in New Zealand have natural enemies or
diseases in other countries which are not present here. One way of reducing
problems caused by pests is to introduce these natural enemies or diseases to New
Zealand.
Do you think this is a good way of controlling pests in New Zealand?
1. No
........
2 Yes
IF NO Why not?
........
3. Don't Know........
............................................................................................................................
I would now like to ask you some questions about three different pests which axe a
problem in New Zealand. The first one I would like to talk about is wasps.
Wasps have become a major nuisance to homes, schools, recreation areas, tourism and
beekeepers.
3 (a) Do you have a problem with wasps where you live?
1. Yes
(b)
........
........
3. Don't know ........
Do you think the wasp problem has become worse, is much the same or become
less over the last five years?
1. Worse
(c)
2 No
........
2 Same
........
3. Less ........ 4. Don't know ........
DO you think enough is being done to control wasps in New Zealand?
1. Yes
........
2. No
........
3. Don't know
........
(d)
Can you please tell me how suitable you think the following methods are for.
reducing the number of wasps -very suitable (11, suitable (2), unsuitable (31, or
very unsuitable (4) don't know (5).
'
........
........
........
(a)
Insecticide powder application
(b)
Pour petrol on the nest
(c)
Sodium cyanide gassing programmes
(dl
The introduction of diseases, eg. viruses,
which will affect only wasps
(e)
Encourage predators which will kill wasps, eg. large bees
........
A virus disease has recently been introduced to NZ to help to control wasps.
4 (a)
Have you heard about this before?
........
1. Yes
(b)
........
2 No
Which of the following best describes how you feel about introducing this disease
to NZ? [READ THE FIRST THREE OPTIONS BELOW - IF THERE IS A
CONDITIONAL ANSWER, WRITE THE CONDITION ON THE LINE]
1, Good idea
........
2 OK
........
3. Opposed
........
........
Condition ....................................................................................................................
4. Don't know ........
5. Don't care
% would now like to ask you about Possums. Possums are doing a lot of damage to
native forests throughout NZ and also carry a disease called tuberculosis or TI3 onto cattle
and deer,
5 (a) Do you have a problem with possums where you live?
1. Yes
(b)
........
2 No
........
3. Don't know ........
Do you think the o s s m problem has become worse, is much the same or become
less over the last ve years?
1
........ 2 Same
........ 3. Less ........ 4. Don't know ........
Do you think enough is being done to control possums in New Zealand?
1. Worse
(c)
1. Yes
(d)
........
2 No
........
3. Don't know ........
Can you please tell me how suitable you think the following methods are for
reducing the number of possums - very suitable (11, suitable (29, unsuitable (39, or
very unsuitable (4) don't know (5).
(a)
Shooting programmes
(b)
1080 Poisoning programmes
(c)
Cyanide poisoning programmes
(d)
Possum trapping
(e)
The introduction of diseases, eg. viruses,
which will affect only possms
(0
Encourage predators which wiP% l
d possms, eg. dogs
6.
If a disease could be identified and introduced to kill possums in NZJ we would
like to know which of the following best describes how you would feel about
introducing such a disease? [READ THE FIRST THREE OPTIONS BELOW IF
THERE IS A CONDITIONAL ANSWERJ WRITE 'I" CONDll'ION ON THE LINE]
-
1. Good idea
........
2 OK
........
3. Opposed
........
........
Conditions .......................................................................................................................
4. Don't know ........
5. Don't care
I would now like to ask you about rabbits.
Rabbits are doing a lot of damage to the land, particularly on farms in Central Otago and
the MacKenzie Country.
7 (a)
Do you have a problem with rabbits where you live?
........
1. Yes
(b)
9 (a)
3. Don't know
........
........
2 Same
........
3. Less ........
4. Don't know ........
Do you think enough is being done to control rabbits in New Zealand?
1. Yes
8
........
Do you think the rabbit problem has become worse, is much the same or become
less over the last five years?
I. Worse
(1
2 No
........
2 No
........
3. Don't know
........
Can you please tell me how suitable you think the following methods are for
reducing the number of rabbits - very suitable (11, suitable (21, unsuitable (31, or
very unsuitable (4) don't know (5).
(a)
Shooting programmes
(b)
1080 Poisoning programmes
(c)
Poisonous Gassing programmes
(dl
Commercial rabbit harvesting
(el
The introduction of diseases, eg. myxomatosis,
which will affect only rabbits
(0
Encourage predators which will kill rabbits, eg. ferrets
........
........
........
........
........
........
Are there any other control methods which you would consider suitable?
........ 3. Don't know ........ 4. Don't
IF YES What are they?...............................................................................................
1. Yes
........
2 No
care
........
(b)
Is there anything else that could be done about rabbits?
10
There has been a lot of talk recently about introducing a disease called
myxomatosis in order to help control rabbits. This control measure has been used
successfully overseas.
8
Have you heard about rnyxomatosis before?
,.......
........
1. Yes
2 NO
IFYES
From what you know, how does myxomatosis affect rabbits?
Don't Know
(b)
..........
Explanation
......................................................................................
Which of the following best describes how you feel about introducing myxomatosis
to New Zeaiand? [READTHE FIRST THREE OPTIONS BELOW - IF THERE IS A
CONDITIONAL ANSWER, WRITE THE CONBITION ON THE LINE]
........
1. Good idea
2 OK
........
3. Opposed
........
5. Don't care ........
........
Conditions .............................................................................................................................
4. Don't know
(c)
Would you like to make any other comments about the possible use of
myxomatosis in New Zeahnd?
2. Yes
(d)
..............................................................................................................................................
Which of the following statements best describes how you feel about the
introduction of any other kind of disease, such as Spanish Flu Virus, to help control
rabbits? [READ THE FIRST M E OPTIONS BELOW - IF THERE IS A
CONBlTXONAL ANSWER, WRITE THE CONDITION ON THE LINE]
........
h o w ........
........
1. Good idea
2 OK
4., Don't
5. Don't care
Conditions
3. Opposed
........
........
o.....................................................................................................................................
Now some find questions for statistical purposes only:
1
To which of the following age groups do you belong? [READ A GUESS]
I. 20 and under
........
2 21 to 30
........ 3. 31 to 40 ........
12
Did you attend any education beyond high school?
13.
........
3. Don't know ........
What is your usual occupation?..........................................................................................
14.
Do you live in a m a l area or are you in a town or city?
I. Yes
R d
........
2 No
.........
Town
........
atY
........
Thank you for your assistance.
..............................................................................................
.........................................................................................................
...................
Interviewer ...................................
Telephone number d e d
r>istrict called
Rapandent sex