pest animals

Rabbits - Oryctolagus cuniculus

history

rabbits compete with serrated tussock for having the highest impact on the carrying capacity of agricultural land in the Rowsley area.

impact

treatment

An integrated approach is essential to having any long term impact on rabbit numbers

“There is a well-defined recipe proven by research for the management of rabbits, which includes;

Baiting prior to ripping to reduce rabbit numbers to lessen the potential of rabbits re-opening warrens

Followed by the removal of rabbit harbour, destruction of warrens and removal of surface harbour

Followed by maintenance of ripped warrens through fumigation or re-ripping re-opened entrances.” (Tim Bloomfield PPWCMA)

However ‘the cure should not be worse than the disease’ (Rabbit rapid assessment guide), so methods must be chosen to suit the site in preserving native vegetation and minimising erosion.

Rip/explode warrens: as rabbits need burrows to breed and to survive predators, warren destruction should be given the highest priority as it will have the most lasting impact. Ripping can be achieved using a bulldozer, excavator or tractor/backhoe. Entrances that reopen should be followed up with fumigation.

Fumigate warrens: where ripping or explosion is not feasible, fumigation can decommission warrens that are inaccessible such as in steep terrain or under buildings. All the entrances of a warren need to be identified, surface harbour removed, entrances cut back, fumigant added and warren sealed. Fumigants include Aluminium Phosphide and Chloropicrin.

Harbour removal: removal of species such as boxthorn, gorse, blackberry, briars, and even thistles or opuntia sp. decreases the survival of rabbits where their warrens have been destroyed. This helps to prevent reinvasion, and increases the effectiveness of fumigation through forcing rabbits to shelter in their burrows.

Baiting: the use of 1080 or Pindone baiting can have particular effectiveness when used after Rabbit Calicivirus Disease and Mixomatosis have affected a population for a given season. Baiting at this time before the autumn break requires less volume of bait and can help to remove immune animals from the population to enable the diseases to continue to be effective.

Coordination: rabbits are very mobile, so wherever possible neighbours should coordinate their efforts to create a more cost effective longer lasting outcome through reduced mutual reinvasion

more info

Foundation for a rabbit free Australia, product labels, DPI (Agriculture Vic) Landcare note Rabbits: Methods of Fumigating Rabbit Burrows