Landholder Resources

Controlling rabbits

European Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) are declared pest animals in Victoria. Landholders are legally responsible for preventing their spread and eradicating them where possible.

  • Rabbits cause severe environmental and agricultural damage through browsing vegetation and degrading soil through burrowing
  • Rabbit grazing is recognised as a key threatening process under environmental law
  • Rabbits have contributed to the decline of many species in Victoria, including at least 40 threatened animals and 70 threatened plants
  • Even one active warren entrance per two hectares can significantly suppress plant regeneration
  • Rabbits breed rapidly and can re-establish quickly– two rabbits can produce over 180 descendants in 18 months
  • Use a range of methods in coordination for greatest impact. Common control options include: poison, warren destruction, harbour removal, fencing, shooting, ferrets and dogs
  • Several viruses that kill rabbits have been introduced to Australia and have had a substantial impact on rabbit populations, but alone are not enough to control rabbits
  • Rabbit control is best undertaken in late summer and early autumn when breeding has paused
  • Destroying warrens is key to long-term rabbit control
  • Coordinate control with neighbours to have greatest impact across the landscape
  • Try to begin control as soon as rabbits are detected, even when populations are low
  • Monitor rabbits throughout control program
  • Follow chemical use legislation

These rabbit control methods are relevant statewide across a range of habitats. Areas at highest risk of invasion include sandy soils, shelter belts, and degraded vegetation.

Baiting

  • Most effective during non-breeding season and when alternative feed sources are scarce
  • Use a commercially available bait containing 1080 or pindone, always following chemical use legislation (permits are required to use 1080 and pindone) and label instructions
  • Poison is mixed with food such as carrots, grains or pellets and laid along furrows.
  • For best results, free feed (no poison) rabbits first to assess the amount of poison needed as well as familiarise and encourage rabbits to baited area. This also allows assessment of non-target species who may have access to poison baits

Fumigation

  • Most effective during breeding season or following baiting
  • Uses trail cameras to monitor for rabbit activity and to ensure no native species are using the warren
  • Toxic gas can be pumped into warrens from outside (pressure fumigation) or released inside (diffusion fumigation)
  • Aluminium phosphate is a common fumigant used to control rabbits. It is available as a pellet and releases toxic gas when exposed to moisture
  • Always following chemical use legislation (permits are required to use aluminium phosphate) and label instructions
  • All entry points to the burrows should be treated and then collapsed. Use a smoking device to identify all entry points

Warren and burrow destruction

  • Warren destruction may not be an effective stand-alone control measure
  • Warrens can be destroyed by hand using a shovel, however the use of machinery, such as a tractor or excavator may be required and is often more effective
  • Warrens must be completely destroyed for this method to be most effective
  • Be aware of sensitive vegetation, potential cultural sites or use of warrens by native species prior to warren destruction

Removal of harbour

  • Harbour such as unnatural piles of rock, wire or logs provide protection to introduced species including rabbits, hares and foxes
  • Thickets of weeds, particularly prickly weeds such as gorse or blackberry, also provide shelter for rabbits
  • Harbour should be removed if possible
  • Consider the impact of removing harbour on native species and minimise the disturbance of surrounding vegetation
  • Inspect treated areas regularly for new digging 
  • Use spotlight counts and mapping to monitor rabbit numbers and presence 
  • Maintain records of treatments and outcomes
  • Work with neighbours, Landcare groups and public land managers for coordinated control programs 
  • Use a range of methods in coordination for greatest impact. Common control options include: poison, warren destruction, harbour removal, fencing, shooting, ferrets and dogs
  • Several viruses that kill rabbits have been introduced to Australia and have had a substantial impact on rabbit populations, but alone are not enough to control rabbits
  • Rabbit control is best undertaken in late summer and early autumn when breeding has paused
  • Destroying warrens is key to long-term rabbit control
  • Coordinate control with neighbours to have greatest impact across the landscape
  • Try to begin control as soon as rabbits are detected, even when populations are low
  • Monitor rabbits throughout control program
  • Follow chemical use legislation

These rabbit control methods are relevant statewide across a range of habitats. Areas at highest risk of invasion include sandy soils, shelter belts, and degraded vegetation.

Baiting

  • Most effective during non-breeding season and when alternative feed sources are scarce
  • Use a commercially available bait containing 1080 or pindone, always following chemical use legislation (permits are required to use 1080 and pindone) and label instructions
  • Poison is mixed with food such as carrots, grains or pellets and laid along furrows.
  • For best results, free feed (no poison) rabbits first to assess the amount of poison needed as well as familiarise and encourage rabbits to baited area. This also allows assessment of non-target species who may have access to poison baits

Fumigation

  • Most effective during breeding season or following baiting
  • Uses trail cameras to monitor for rabbit activity and to ensure no native species are using the warren
  • Toxic gas can be pumped into warrens from outside (pressure fumigation) or released inside (diffusion fumigation)
  • Aluminium phosphate is a common fumigant used to control rabbits. It is available as a pellet and releases toxic gas when exposed to moisture
  • Always following chemical use legislation (permits are required to use aluminium phosphate) and label instructions
  • All entry points to the burrows should be treated and then collapsed. Use a smoking device to identify all entry points

Warren and burrow destruction

  • Warren destruction may not be an effective stand-alone control measure
  • Warrens can be destroyed by hand using a shovel, however the use of machinery, such as a tractor or excavator may be required and is often more effective
  • Warrens must be completely destroyed for this method to be most effective
  • Be aware of sensitive vegetation, potential cultural sites or use of warrens by native species prior to warren destruction

Removal of harbour

  • Harbour such as unnatural piles of rock, wire or logs provide protection to introduced species including rabbits, hares and foxes
  • Thickets of weeds, particularly prickly weeds such as gorse or blackberry, also provide shelter for rabbits
  • Harbour should be removed if possible
  • Consider the impact of removing harbour on native species and minimise the disturbance of surrounding vegetation
  • Inspect treated areas regularly for new digging 
  • Use spotlight counts and mapping to monitor rabbit numbers and presence 
  • Maintain records of treatments and outcomes
  • Work with neighbours, Landcare groups and public land managers for coordinated control programs 
Safety
Always wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when undertaking land management. Follow all label instructions on equipment and local regulations. Be mindful of weather conditions. Do not conduct land management on days of extreme or catastrophic fire danger or total fire ban. 
Further information
If you have a conservation covenant, please consult with your Trust for Nature regional staff member to ensure land management activities are in line with your covenant deed.

For further advice and support, please contact Trust for Nature

Phone:(03) 8361 5800
Email:  trustfornature@tfn.org.au
Disclaimer
Trust for Nature and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication