Rabbits a strong focus this spring

PRODUCTION ADVICE - AUGUST 2020 - INVASIVE SPECIES

By John Nolan
Pest Animal Coordinator 
P: 03 5881 9921 | M: 0428 629 278 | E: john.p.nolan@lls.nsw.gov.au

More rain plus green paddocks equals more rabbits.

This is the unfortunate reality of the wetter season we’re now enjoying: come spring and rabbit numbers are likely to jump (no pun intended).

In fact, we’re already seeing a lot of young rabbits – kittens – emerging from warrens across the region.

Rabbits are arguably the most serious invasive pest we have in Australia in terms of their impact on agricultural land, threatened species, ecological communities and cultural heritage areas. Most of us would have seen the way a rabbit warren affects the land it occupies.

You might ask: What is Murray Local Land Services doing about this imminent problem?

We’re using a two-fold strategy: monitoring, followed by control.

The monitoring phase is where we need the help of landowners to locate rabbit ‘hotspots’ – where they live and in what numbers.

With that information, we can then help establish group control programs that target the areas populated with rabbits.

First thing in the morning or an hour each side of sunset are the best times to get out and monitor rabbit activity – this is when you’re most likely to see them ‘in action’.

But you can also be on the lookout for fresh scratchings in the first, fresh dung and, of course, warrens.

Once we know where the rabbits are, we can then move into the control phase.

Coordinated group control programs involving landholders are the most effective weapons against rabbits.

When property owners work together on the problem – as opposed to isolated, individual efforts – the result is a much better knockdown over a wider area.

Tim Garden, from Caldwell, is a landholder who regularly participates in group rabbit baiting programs in his area.

He is currently monitoring his paddocks for fresh signs of rabbits and is working closely with us to be prepared for possible control programs this spring / summer.

“The benefit really comes from the coordinated, group approach,” he says. “I’d strongly encourage all farmers and landholders to work with your neighbours on this problem, as it’s the best way to achieve effective control of rabbits.”

Murray Local Land Services will help landholders establish groups and then assist them to choose the right control methods for the particular circumstances, including ground baiting, harbour destruction and fumigation.

To get involved in monitoring and coordinated group control, call our invasive species team at either Albury (6051 2200), Deniliquin (03 5881 9900) or Jerilderie (03 5886 2100) – we’ll be only too happy to help you get on top of this destructive pest.