The M-44 ejector device is an effective and environmentally sound wildlife 

damage management tool. The spring-activated device delivers a dose 

of cyanide powder to targeted animals. It uses a cyanide capsule that is 

registered as a restricted-use pesticide by the Environmental Protection 

Agency (EPA). The device can be used only by trained certifi ed applicators.

WS is authorized to use M-44 cyanide capsules to control coyotes, wild 

(feral) dogs, and red, gray, and arctic foxes which are: suspected of preying 

upon livestock, poultry, or federally designated threatened and endangered 

species; or are vectors of communicable disease. The program’s use of 

M-44 devices strictly conforms to EPA label instructions, directions, and 

use-restrictions; applicable Federal, State, and local laws and regulations; 

and agency and program directives and policies. 

WS personnel do not use M-44s on any property unless requested 

by the land’s owner or manager; a valid written cooperative agreement, 

agreement for control, Memoranda of Agreement, or other applicable 

document must be in place.

How an M-44 Works

The M-44 ejector device consists of four components: a capsule holder 

wrapped with cloth, wool, or other soft material; a cyanide capsule (small 

plastic container holding sodium cyanide); a spring-activated ejector; and 

a 5 to 7 inch stake. In the fi eld, the stake is inserted with the top fl ush 

with the ground’s surface. With the ejector cocked and set, the capsule is 

inserted into its holder and screwed onto the ejector. The ejector is secured 

into the stake. Specially formulated fetid bait or other scent material, which 

elicits a “bite and pull” response by the target animal, is smeared on the 

wrapped capsule holder. 

Protecting People

Protecting Agriculture

Protecting Wildlife

Wildlife Services Factsheet

May 2010

M-44 Device for 

Local Predator Control

Wildlife Services (WS), a 

program within the U.S. 

Department of Agriculture’s 

(USDA) Animal and Plant 

Health Inspection Service 

(APHIS), provides Federal 

leadership and expertise 

to resolve wildlife damage 

that threatens the Nation’s 

agricultural and natural 

resources, human health and 

safety, and property.

Using an integrated approach 

that combines a variety of 

science-based methods, the 

program assists agricultural 

producers and others 

experiencing damage from 

predators.

The M-44 ejector device 

consists of a capsule holder 

wrapped with soft material, a 

small plastic container holding 

sodium cyanide, a springactivated ejector, and a stake. 

Bilingual warning signs mark 

the placement of each device.
The M-44 device is triggered 

when a canid (i.e. coyote or wild 

dog) tugs on the baited capsule 

holder, releasing the plunger and 

ejecting sodium cyanide powder 

into the animal’s mouth. The 

sodium cyanide quickly reacts 

with moisture in the animal’s 

mouth, releasing hydrogen 

cyanide gas. Unconsciousness, 

followed by death, is very quick, 

normally within 1 to 5 minutes 

after the device is triggered. 

Animals killed by sodium 

cyanide appear to show no overt 

signs of distress or pain.

WS personnel place M-44s along game and 

livestock trails, ridges, fence lines, seldom-used ranch 

roads, coyote and fox natural travel ways, rendezvous 

sites, and territorial marking sites/locations. Bilingual 

signs (Spanish/English) mark the general area and 

placement location of each M-44. Trained personnel 

inspect each M-44 at least weekly. Used mostly in the 

winter and spring, M-44s may be used year-round in 

some locations. When not in use, they are stored in 

secured, locked locations.

Use-Restrictions

In addition to the main product label instructions and 

directions, EPA mandates 26 use-restrictions, which 

provide guidance for the application, storage, disposal, 

and training requirements; safety; and necessary 

recordkeeping. Individual State pesticide regulatory 

agencies also can require additional restrictions on the 

use of M-44s in their jurisdiction.

Agricultural and Ecological Damage

Coyotes, foxes, and feral dogs cause substantial 

damage to livestock and poultry producers, particularly 

those with sheep and goats. In a 2004 survey of 

producers, the National Agricultural Statistics Service 

(NASS) found that coyotes nationwide killed an 

estimated 135,600 sheep and lambs worth a total 

of $10.7 million. Dogs and foxes accounted for an 

additional 34,000 lamb and sheep deaths worth $3.1 

million. According to the same NASS survey, an 

estimated 155,000 goats were killed by predators (of 

all kinds). Based on the survey’s data, WS estimates 

that the number of goats in the survey killed by canids 

could total approximately 117,000 animals, valued at 

about $12.1 million.

Coyotes and dogs also attack and kill cattle and 

calves. A 2005 NASS survey found that coyotes killed 

an estimated 97,000 head worth $43.9 million; dogs 

killed an estimated 21,900 cattle and calves valued 

at nearly $10.8 million. Canids also kill thousands of 

swine, pet dogs and cats, equines, chickens, turkeys, 

ducks, geese, and other birds every year.

After studying a petition to ban the M-44, EPA 

determined that predation accounts for a signifi cant 

portion of premature livestock losses. EPA found that 

the use of M-44s have signifi cant benefi ts in reducing 

The M-44 cyanide capsule is an EPA-registered, restricted-use 

pesticide for coyote, fox, and wild dog control.

A Wildlife Services 

biologist places a 

warning sign near 

an M-44 device. 

The devices are 

checked at least 

weekly.
predation on livestock without negative long-term 

impact on the target predators or other nontarget 

species.

In addition to agricultural damage, predators can 

also limit the recovery of threatened and endangered 

species. Placing a dollar value on any threatened and 

endangered species is diffi cult; even the loss of only 

one animal can be catastrophic to a local population 

or species. The Aleutian Canada goose has been 

removed from endangered species lists specifi cally 

because predation by arctic foxes has been managed 

by WS using various predation control methods, 

including M-44s. The device also has been useful in 

protection of the Rocky Mountain experimental fl ock 

of whooping cranes. Although M-44 devices have 

not been used often for threatened and endangered 

species protection, it is available to natural resource 

managers as a vital predator management option when 

warranted.

Environmental Safety and Security

M-44 devices and cyanide capsules pose no 

signifi cant environmental risk. Each capsule 

contains approximately 0.03 ounce (0.97 gram) of 

the compound (0.88 gram of sodium cyanide and 

0.09 gram of inert ingredients). Contact with carbon 

dioxide and acids in the soil rapidly dissipates the 

active ingredient into gas if, for some reason, capsule 

contents spill onto the soil. If carbon dioxide and acids 

are not present in the soil, the sodium cyanide fi lters 

through the soil and is degraded by micro-organisms 

or other mechanisms. Research by WS’ National 

Wildlife Research Center indicates that the toxic effects 

of cyanide are extremely short-lived because cyanide 

decomposes within 24 hours into harmless byproducts. 

Bioaccumulation is extremely unlikely because the 

material is metabolized immediately. 

To protect M-44 applicators against the unlikely 

event of exposure, amyl nitrite is available as an antidote. 

All applicators are required to carry an antidote kit when 

applying or inspecting M-44s. No human fatalities have 

been associated with WS’ use of M-44s. 

Because of potential security issues related to 

hazardous materials, WS personnel take appropriate 

security measure in the handling and storing of 

M-44s. In a 2007−09 review, EPA consulted with the 

Department of Homeland Security and agreed that it is 

not necessary for security reasons to cease the use of 

M-44s as a wildlife damage management tool.

Nontarget Hazards

To prevent harmful environmental effects, WS assesses 

the potential impact of its activities before using any 

wildlife damage management tool, including the 

M-44. In placing M-44s, program personnel use 

their expertise in animal ecology and consider animal 

behavior patterns to minimize the risk of attracting 

nontarget animals. The use of specialized baits and 

lures attractive to target animals minimizes that risk. 

Placing M-44s near where depredations occur or at 

locations frequently visited by the target species further 

enhances target selectivity. 

Because of the M-44’s mechanical design, the 

device is triggered by pulling straight up, which makes 

it extremely selective for targeted canid. From 1996 

to 2006, more than 97 percent of the animals killed 

by WS’ use of M-44s were target species listed on the 

product label.

The risk of secondary poisoning to scavengers 

is nonexistent. The M-44’s cyanide powder causes 

chemical asphyxiation and blocks the use of oxygen 

in the target animal’s blood. As a result, scavenger 

animals are not harmed because virtually no poison 

remains in the tissue of an animal killed by the M-44.

WS takes great care in its use of M-44s and 

in ensuring that its efforts do not jeopardize any 

threatened and endangered species or any other 

species. M-44s are not used where federally listed 

Animals killed by M-44s show no overt signs of distress or pain. 

No secondary poisoning hazards are associated with M-44s.
threatened and endangered animal species might be 

adversely affected. In accordance with the National 

Environmental Policy Act, the use and potential impacts 

of M-44s have been fully analyzed in a programmatic 

environmental impact statement and in numerous 

environmental assessments. Continuing consultations 

with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service further ensure 

that WS’ use of M-44 cyanide capsules will not 

adversely impact any federally listed threatened and 

endangered species or their critical habitat. 

Integrated Management 

WS addresses damage using an integrated wildlife 

damage management approach. In selecting control 

techniques for specifi c wildlife damage situations, 

damage is confi rmed and assessed. Personnel then 

consider the species responsible, frequency and 

extent of the damage, status of the species, local 

environmental conditions, environmental impacts, and 

other factors. These factors are evaluated and used to 

formulate strategies that may include use of one or more 

nonlethal or lethal techniques. Environmental analysis 

has concluded that WS’ integrated management 

approach, including the use of M-44, has not adversely 

impacted any target or nontarget species populations, 

including threatened and endangered species.

Additional Information

For more information about this and other WS 

programs or to request assistance from a WS State 

offi ce, please telephone 1-866-4USDA-WS or contact 

the WS Operational Support Staff at (301) 734-7921. 

Additionally, you can contact WS by mail at: USDA, 

APHIS, WS, 4700 River Road, Unit 87, Riverdale, MD 

20737.

You can also fi nd information on WS programs 

by visiting our Web site at www.aphis.usda.gov/wildlife_

damage/.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is an equal opportunity provider and employer. 

United States Department of Agriculture

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service