Rabbit populations decline during winter.

One of the least complained about pest animals during the winter months are rabbits.

Rabbit populations decline during winter offering a much-needed reprieve to even those that suffer extreme infestations during spring and summer. 

Ironically it is during this period of reprieve that you should really be addressing your rabbit issues as any control undertaken now will be targeting a smaller, more vulnerable population. As such you will likely be getting more ‘bang for your buck’, so to speak.

Common methods used for rabbit control are habitat modification, burrow fumigation, day/night shooting, poisoning and trapping. The general rule is that you should use the least intrusive methods first, and only switch to the more intrusive methods as and when necessary. 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. The less cover they have the less successful they tend to be. 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

If your property does not provide an excess of natural cover but happens to be great digging country you may still suffer high numbers of rabbits living below ground in burrows and warrens. The fumigation of these 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 may 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. The best results will be obtained by broadcasting bait over feed areas or placing the desired number of baits on patches of bare earth (spits). 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. Dollars spent now will be a lot less than would be required during spring and summer.

So get out there, spray the gorse, burn the log piles and perhaps make a start by adding rabbits to your menu this winter.