Burrow fumigation gives immediate results and provides extremely cost efficient rabbit control.

Rabbit numbers exploded following the recent drought and we are still taking requests for rabbit control at the same level as we normally expect during the summer months.

Given that we have another very dry summer predicted, rabbit control this winter will be critical in avoiding another big increase next spring, and the subsequent stock feed losses and erosion damage that goes hand in hand with increasing rabbit numbers.

Common methods used for rabbit control are habitat modification, burrow fumigation, day/night shooting and poisoning.

The general rule is that you should use the least intrusive methods first and only switch to the more intrusive methods when necessary as too much intrusion can lead to very wary rabbits and these can be incredibly difficult to bring under control.

• Habitat Modification – It is often a valuable tool in reducing rabbit numbers. The removal of wind throws, log-piles and pockets of gorse is in some cases all that is required to make a property less attractive to rabbits.

Grazing/mowing areas of rank growth is also well worth doing. Setting about removing cover from your property is not an overly intrusive method and as such is a good starting point for rabbit control.

• Burrow Fumigation – The fumigation of burrows and warrens with magnesium phosphide pellets (Magtoxin) can be a cost and time efficient means of control.

You must be licensed to use this product; so you will need to engage a professional to undertake this work. Burrow fumigation involves the back-filling of all holes so it has the added advantage of removing the risk of stock and horses breaking legs.

• Day/Night shooting – The preference here is always for night shooting with a silenced .22 rifle and spotlight.

Day shooting is considered too intrusive and only employed in the latter stages of reducing the population. Successful night shooting requires a high degree of proficiency and should be undertaken in stages to avoid making the animals too wary.

Professionals will often spend up to three nights getting the rabbits accustomed to the light and vehicle prior to commencing shooting. The use of shotguns can alarm the entire population so this too is best left for the final hand-full of animals.

• Poisoning –  Due to the many considerations that must be made prior to poisoning, this method is often reserved for large and widespread populations or those that do not lend themselves to control via the previously discussed methods.

Poisoning with Pindone rabbit pellets can be extremely effective during dry periods but all cereal baits become less palatable once wet.

There are bait stations on the market for rabbit poisoning but rabbit feeding patterns simply do not suit feeding from a station and I have yet to see any level of rabbit control achieved with the use of stations.

Placing the desired number of baits on patches of bare earth (spits) can be an effective method but the combination of burrow fumigation and night shooting tends to give more reliable and immediate results.

As with all poisons be sure to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for safe and efficient use.

Effective rabbit control often requires a measured combination of all of the above methods. If you find this is beyond your own ability, engage a professional that specialises in rabbits.

So get out there, spray the gorse, burn the log piles and be sure to ask if your neighbours have rabbit problems, as sharing the costs of rabbit control will significantly reduce the control cost to each property.

Please help us to provide the advice you require by sending all pest animal questions to: info@coastalpestsolutions.co.nz