High rabbit numbers combined with warmer winters and a lack of resources could mean contractors will struggle to complete the poisoning programmes needed to keep pest numbers down to acceptable levels this winter.
''We have a major rabbit problem and the likelihood is there will be a struggle to find enough carrots,'' Otago Regional Council environmental monitoring and operations director Jeff Donaldson said.
The regional council had in recent months requested rabbit control programmes from 76 landowners in Otago where rabbit numbers exceeded the allowable level under its Pest Management Strategy.
There were high numbers across the region from Otago Peninsula to Taieri Mouth to the Maniototo, Central Otago and the Wanaka area, he said.
Carrots were used as bait during a 1080 operation and were the most effective winter poisoning tool but the council's contracting arm Regional Services might not be able to access enough carrots to do the required work.
''It is not our intention to miss any properties but some properties might not get as much work done as they would have,'' Mr Donaldson said.
In those cases, the work would be concentrated along boundaries to reduce cross-boundary problems.
Warm winters meant the window to complete the work was now a lot smaller as the resulting extra grass growth meant there was a food source for rabbits.
Contractors also competed with juice companies for supplies of carrots, which were grown in the Temuka area.
''There are less growers now and the risk of getting caught out by a climatic problem is high,'' Mr Donaldson said.
Added to that was the requirement to consult landowners - more lifestyle blocks meant more landowners, slowing down any programme dramatically, he said.
To try to combat these problems, Regional Services would hire more staff to run its four carrot-cutters in an effort to get them around more properties quicker.
It had also trialled the use of oats as a bait during summer which proved a success, so it would look at using it again this summer if Central Otago dried off early.
''It gives us two bites at the cherry - one in winter and one in summer.''
Landowners, especially those just above the allowable level, would also be encouraged to do secondary control using gas, shooters and dogs or helicopter shooting.
