Rabbits

Picture courtesy of Wayne Hillier

"European rabbits are Australia’s most widespread and destructive environmental and agricultural vertebrate pest" 

-PestSmart

The grazing effect of rabbits can prevent native seedlings from regenerating, reduce crop yields, compete with livestock for pasture as well as directly competing with native animals for food and shelter. Grazing and digging by rabbits can impact on slope instability and increase soil erosion. 

It only takes one rabbit per hectare to prevent native seedling regeneration.

Rabbit control options include: 

Increasing landholder confidence in rabbit control

To assist landholders to incorporate baiting into an integrated management plan the PHBG fully subsidises the application for 1080 products through the Registered Pesticide Permit (RPP) process with the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development. For smaller landholders where 1080 products aren't appropriate the PHBG provides site visits to share expertise and loan, free of charge, baiting stations for landholders to selectively provide pindone baits to rabbits.

Landholders interested in an RPP or a site visit can email feralanimals@PHBG.org. To loan a baiting station landholders can fill in the EOI PHBG Equipment Loan form and wait for a PHBG staff member to contact you. 

For more information on using Pindone products to control rabbits click on the standard operating procedure from Pest Smart below.

Rabbit control presentation 

In 2021 the PHBG delivered five rabbit control information sessions across our operational area. 

The sessions included a presentation by Dr Linton Staples on the safe use of Pindone for controlling rabbits.

This presentation is a detailed look at one tool available to landholders in the control of feral rabbits. Not any one control method works 100% alone, landholders should aim for an integrative management plan using complimentary methods to achieve long term control. 

Rabbit Information Videos

Pestsmart video: Historical and current impacts of rabbits – a farmers perspective
Pestsmart video: Community led integrated rabbit management
Pestsmart video: Importance of rabbit biological control to livestock producers.