Rabbits are a declared pest species in NSW and must be continually suppressed and destroyed in accordance with the Rural Lands Protection Act. There are several available methods of rabbit control that can be undertaken:

1. Fumigation

Fumigation of rabbit burrows with products such as Pestex and Gastion can be effective in reducing rabbit numbers but is quite labour intensive. For good results to be achieved all holes must be located and all rabbits within the control area forced into the holes to maximise results. Once this is achieved the holes must be cut back to make sure a good seal is achieved when they are fumigated. Paper is placed in scrunched up balls around a length of poly pipe protruding (ends clear) into and out of the hole, the paper deters the rabbits from trying to dig out and the poly pipe is used to place the fumigant and water into the burrow. Dirt is then used to seal off the hole; the fumigant tablets are then rolled down the pipe with a small amount of water poured behind to activate the tablets (1 to 2 tablets per hole). The pipe is then removed with the small hole left to be closed over to ensure a good seal for the gas to take effect. This process is repeated until all holes are done. The holes must be then checked again the next day and if any have re opened the above process is repeated. Once the rabbits have been controlled it is advisable to follow up with harbour manipulation to limit re invasion.

2. Harbour Manipulation

This can be used to alter and destroy the areas rabbits are using to shelter and breed in. Ripping of rabbit warrens in a cross hatch pattern will collapse holes to prevent re occupation, control of weeds such as African box thorn and blackberry can limit cover and so can the control of rubbish such as car bodies, pipes and scrap heaps. Without shelter and habitat it makes it harder for the rabbits to survive and breed.


Harbour manipulation - ripping rabbit warrens using a dozer.

3. Shooting

Shooting is a good tool for a quick knock down of numbers or for mopping up programs but is best used in conjunction with other methods so as the animals do not become too flighty and gun shy.

4. Biological Control

Viruses such as RHD (Calici virus) and Myxomatosis can be very effective on rabbit control but young kitten rabbits can also become immune if the virus occurs at the wrong time. RHD can be spread to rabbits through RHD laced carrots or injected into trapped rabbits whereas Myxomatosis can only be injected into trapped rabbits. Both viruses are then transmitted by contact, Flies, Fleas and Mosquito’s. Harbour manipulation should also be used to limit re invasion after the virus has been used. The viruses may also occur naturally in some areas.

5. Trapping

Trapping must be carried out using soft jawed traps to comply with legislation in NSW. It can be used to target problem or individual rabbits but is labour intensive and best used in coordination with other control methods.

6. Poisoning

Poison programs are carried out using 2 different poisons, 1080 and Pindone. 1080 is only used on large properties due to restrictions on its use (e.g. distance restrictions of 500 metres from any dwelling) whereas Pindone can be used on a block of 1200m2 or larger. 1080 has no antidote whereas vitamin K is the antidote for Pindone making it safer to use around pets.

As a Pindone program is the most common poison program I will outline it below:  

To undertake a Pindone program you must meet all criteria of the Pesticide Control Order, and then all neighbours within 1 kilometre of the bait site must be notified 3 days before the program begins.
Signs must be erected at all entry points to the property and 3 free feeds undertaken before 3 more poison feeds are carried out. The gap between each feed is usually 48 hours depending on rabbit numbers.
Carrot is the most common bait used with 20 kg of carrot per kilometre of trail.
Bait layers are usually used for larger jobs to lay the bait in a furrow cut by a plough disc on the front of the implement but for smaller jobs the same result can be achieved with a mattock.


Spreading poisoned Pindone carrots.



Rabbits feeding on poisoned Pindone carrots.

To undertake a small 1 km trail job you would do the following:

• Meet with your local Livestock Health and Pest Authority Pest Animal Ranger and check to see that you can meet all restrictions in the Pesticide control order to undertake the control program. Also check that conditions are suitable, the rabbits will probably not uptake on the carrot if there is an abundance of fresh green feed.
• Notify all neighbours within 1 kilometre of the bait site 3 days prior to commencing the program.
• Restrain all pets for the duration of the control program.
• Begin on a Monday laying your first free feed. 20kg per kilometre as a general rule but this can be scaled up or down depending on the rabbit population. Three free feeds are carried out to train the rabbits to uptake on the feed.
• Lay your second free feed on Wednesday. 20kg again.
• Lay your third free feed on Friday. 20kg again.
• Begin your first poison feed on the next Monday. 15kg of poison carrots, the rate is reduced with poison to limit residual left over and is reduced at each feed. It takes at least two feeds of the poison to activate the anticoagulant which kills the rabbits.
• Lay your second poison feed on Wednesday. 10 kg of poison carrots.
• Lay your third poison feed on Friday, assess the results over that weekend and if the rabbits have been sufficiently controlled proceed with harbour manipulation, if not assess if the program should continue on for one or two more poison feeds and then proceed on to harbour manipulation.

Acknowledgement

This article is courtesy of the Livestock Health and Pest Authorities (LHPA).