Rabbits are a direct threat to indigenous vegetation and seriously disadvantage native animals due to competition for food and habitat. Rabbits cause soil instability and land degradation, threatening the environment, undermining structural assets and contributing to losses in agriculture. Rabbit populations contribute to and support populations of introduced cats and foxes.

Monitoring

Recording information about rabbits will help you to define the scale of the rabbit problem. You can start by mapping any active rabbit warrens, and recording where rabbits seem to be causing damage or problems. It is important to establish a baseline before tackling your rabbit problem.

ASSESING YOUR RABBIT PROBLEM

Look for signs of rabbit activity: buck heaps, droppings and signs of scratching. Spotlighting is a good way to observe rabbits when they are most active.

RABBITSCAN
You can also record your results on the RabbitScan app. RabbitScan is a free resource for farmers, community groups, Landcare groups, pest controllers, local councils, biosecurity groups and researchers.

Anyone can use RabbitScan to record and view information about local rabbit populations. You can use RabbitScan on your phone or computer to monitor and record rabbit activity (such as rabbit warren hot-spots), map areas where damage is most severe (such as erosion gullies), and document where you are controlling rabbits on your property or throughout your local area.

You may also be able to assess the scale of the problem, seek support for coordinating and implementing control, and monitor rabbits after control programs.

Record rabbit activity rabbit using the RabbitScan App here: RabbitScan.

Your monitoring efforts will come in very handy, establishing a baseline that allows you to evaluate your progress over time.

What are my options?

To significantly reduce rabbit populations, control requires a combination of control methods. No single control method will work on its own. To be most effective control needs to include a multiple approach.

Available options are:

  • Physical control – e.g. removal of dense exotic weeds such as Blackberry / English Ivy; barriers to other harbour such as use of small gauge chicken wire around decking and wood piles (remember to allow a large enough ‘lip’ to prevent rabbits digging under); warren ripping (where appropriate); trapping using nets and ferrets
  • Chemical control – e.g. Poison baiting and warren fumigation
  • Biological control– e.g. Calicivirus

INTEGRATED CONTROL

Integrated rabbit control is a strategic pest management approach that combines multiple, complementary methods—such as biological controls, baiting, warren destruction, and harbour removal—in a planned sequence. Rather than relying on a single technique, it is the most effective and sustainable way to permanently reduce rabbit populations and prevent re-infestation

COORDINATED CONTROL

Rabbits often recolonise from adjoining areas. Remember, rabbits are a problem that concerns the whole community. If you can involve neighbours and other land managers to work with them to control rabbits in your area, the more effective your rabbit control efforts will be!

BAITING USING PINDONE OATS

Pindone poison is available over the counter and does not require a licence. Pindone works according to body weight, and the risk of off target poisoning of sheep, dogs and cattle is low. Vitamin K is an effective antidote if administered quickly. Pindone is an animal ethics approved method of rabbit control.

Pindone oats are less perishable than carrot baits the poison coated husk is not consumed by birds. Pindone oats is preferred to 1080 to mitigate off target damage to native wildlife. Distance restrictions dictate that Pindone Baiting is only suitable for properties greater than 1000 square meters.

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO BAIT?

Late summer/early autumn, when alternative food is scarce is the best time to bait. Baiting is less effective during the breeding season.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

Read and follow the product label directions for use, first aid and storage information. Wear rubber gloves when handling poison. Avoid direct contact with poison and wash hands after handling (outside, away from sewage/septic systems). Display completed notification sign in a prominent place (include program dates and contact information).

MINIMISING OFF TARGET POISONING

  1. Free feed (poison-free sterilised oats) is laid for one week prior to poison baiting to ensure only the target animal is accessing the bait.
  2. Monitor what animals are feeding on free feed and how much feed is being eaten (enter information on record sheet).
  3. To avoid uptake by native wildlife you can also use a cheap wildlife camera to monitor this, removing any poison bait in areas where native species are recorded and replacing it with free feed for the duration of your program.
  4. Use shallow baiting hutches to prevent larger herbivores from eating bait.
  5. Use of Pindone oat bait will prevent poisoning birds as the poison coated husk is discarded (with the exception of Swamp Hens).
  6. Do not apply more bait than required.
  7. If found, wearing gloves remove and dispose of deceased rabbits

CHOOSING THE BEST PLACE TO LAY BAITS

Look for an area in between where rabbits shelter and where they like to feed. Place baiting stations in a row at least one meter apart along the thoroughfare.

SETTING UP YOUR BAIT STATION

  1. Use a mattock to make a furrow
  2. Lay free feed/bait in a concentrated trail along furrow (do not pile too high)
  3. Place baiting hutch over furrow and fix securely with tent pegs
  4. Free feed with non-poison bait
  5. Monitor percentage taken, and what species of animal has taken bait. Do this 2-3 times weekly and record your information on a data sheet.
  6. Replace as required, switching to Pindone once free feed uptake reaches 100%
  7. Do not poison/free feed during rain, remove when rain is forecast (unsterilised free feed will germinate when wet and Pindone bait may leach poison into soil if wet)
  8. Discontinue program when rabbits no longer take bait (usually around 4 weeks)
  9. Remove any unused product.

Warren Ripping

Warren destruction (commonly known as ripping) is used after the initial knockdown of feral rabbits has been achieved through baiting, to ensure any remaining rabbits don’t have a place to shelter or breed successfully. It involves the use of mechanical equipment including bulldozers, excavators, backhoes, and tractor-mounted rippers to destroy warren systems.

Note:  This is not appropriate in areas containing remnant native vegetation.

Care should be taken when undertaking ripping with heavy machinery as the rabbit warren may collapse when driving over it.

Fumigation

Fumigation is the method you use following bating and ripping, after the burrows have been destroyed and rabbit numbers are reduced, to ensure your program is keeping rabbit numbers down.

Aluminium phosphide is the most commonly used fumigant — it comes in a tablet form and releases poisonous phosphine gas when activated by moisture.

 Remember all fumigants are Schedule 7 poisons therefore a contractor with an Agricultural Chemical Users Permit (ACUP) is required to be engaged for fumigation of warrens. 

Rabbit Proof Fencing

Installing rabbit proof fencing along property boundaries or around pockets of remnant indigenous ground flora/garden beds/specific trees you wish to protect will limit accessibility to vegetation, however this method will also exclude and potentially harm native wildlife that becomes caught in the fence. Consider native wildlife when deciding whether or not to install rabbit exclusion fencing.

To ensure their structural integrity, rabbit proof fences need to be monitored to check for breaches and repaired if necessary. Waratah 30mm blue wire mesh is around 3x cost of the alternatives but will stand the test of time.

Here is a standard Rabbit Proof Fencing Design & Specifications

Calisi Virus

Rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV), also called calicivirus, is a biological control agent used to manage wild rabbits. It is transmitted by flies and by direct contact between rabbits.

Rabbit calicivirus (RHDV) is not a standalone control due to wild populations developing genetic resistance and the spread of less lethal, cross-protecting strains. Relying solely on biocontrol leads to rebounding rabbit numbers.

Biological controls must be used in conjunction with available conventional control methods as part of a coordinated rabbit control program.

You can participate in calici virus release as part of your integrated rabbit control program. Individuals may purchase RHDV1 K5 for private use as it is not a restricted use chemical in Victoria. Landholders can contact the Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute (EMAI) for further information.

You can ring them on: (02)46406337 or email virology.enquiries@dpi.nsw.gov.au to purchase RHDV1 K5.

For pet rabbits, the only effective prevention is regular vaccination. Speak with your local vet to ensure pet rabbits are fully vaccinated against the current RHDV strains.

EVALUATE YOUR PROGRAM

Rabbits can recolonise from adjacent areas. Involvement with neighbours and persistence is key to long term control.

It is important to evaluate your program and follow up and adapt your program if necessary.

Helpful links to additional resources