Using more than one control method on a rabbit population is what we call an Integrated Pest Management approach.
An
Integrated Pest Management approach:
uses control methods in rapid succession
is more likely to be successful in reducing rabbit numbers and their impacts on your property
is the most effective and cost efficient method of controlling rabbits
Any plan is going to be more effective when working together with neighbours where rabbits occur to stop reinfestation.
The graph below shows how 3 control methods are quickly used consecutively to reduce rabbit populations:
The following steps are provided to help with developing a rabbit management plan using the Integrated Pest Management Approach:
Assess - measure and define the problem
The first step to creating a rabbit control program is to:
Using tools such as
RabbitScan allows records of:
- Rabbit activity (such as sightings and warrens)
- Damage (such as soil erosion)
- Control activities (such as warren ripping)
- Disease in rabbit populations (such as Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV or Calicivirus))
- Develop a property or local area map of rabbit activity to guide your control efforts.
RabbitScan is a free resource for farmers, community groups, Landcare groups, pest controllers, local councils, biosecurity groups and researchers.
Rabbit density, the number of rabbits present in a certain area, affects the type and severity of damage they are causing. The table below gives information about how to estimate rabbit abundance and density:
No pellets found
| 0
| 0
| Good ground cover and plant species diversity
|
Isolated pellets and pellets in clumps of 5-10 at least 10 metres apart
| 1
| 0.5
| Seedlings of highly palatable plant species absent
|
Scattered pellets and pellets in clumps, less than 10 metres apart
| 2
| 1
| Cover of native plants reduced by 50%. Rabbits easting as 1 beast or 9 sheep per square kilometre.
|
Pellets are common, in larger clumps and occasional buck-heaps, in half the area surveyed
| 3
| 2
| Seedlings of moderately palatable plant species absent
|
Pellets are abundant, in large clumps and buck heaps; though not across the entire area surveyed
| 4
| 5
| Cover of native plants reduced by 90%. Rabbits eating as much as 5 head or 45 sheep per square kilometre
|
Pellets are very abundant, and buck heaps are always apparent
| 5
| 10 or more
| Absence of young native shrubs. Unpalatable weeds common. Soil heavily disturbed
|
Plan - The insight gained in the first step allows you to start planning
A detailed rabbit management plan, that has specific aims and objectives, will ensure the best outcomes.
Eradication may not be possible in all areas. Ongoing monitoring and management is often required. Remember, just one pair of rabbits can re-infest a property.
Timing is everything for cost-effective rabbit control. The best time is in late summer and early autumn when breeding has generally stopped because the grass they feed on has dried off. Naturally harsh environmental conditions, such as flood or drought can also cause added stress on the rabbit population, leading to longer lasting results.
Trained Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania (NRE Tas) Biosecurity Inspectors can assist with rabbit control planning.
Phone:
03 6165 3777 or Email:
invasivespecies@nre.tas.gov.au
Consider the following control option examples that are the most likely available to you (there may be more):
An Integrated Pest Management Plan (IPM) will require more than one control technique for effective rabbit control and requires getting the sequence and timing right to generate the most benefit. Ideally controls occur in three phases.
Knockdown
Knockout
Mop-up
Knockdown
| The aim of "knockdown" is culling to reduce the numbers of rabbits as much as possible. Once the population is reduced to a manageable level, other control methods can be implemented. In Tasmania, landowners can choose from biological control and poisoning as part of their knockdown phase.
Knowledge of each is required to understand how it works and in what circumstances it should be used as part of your integrated pest management plan.
|
Knockout
| The aim of "knockout" is to stop breeding and recovery of rabbits with a more targeted approach. This step is crucial in stopping rabbit numbers bouncing back and undoing the work done so far. As rabbits rely on warrens and shelter (such as impenetrable vegetation or debris) for protection from the weather and predators, particularly young rabbits, this is where efforts should be focussed.
|
Mop-up and Monitor
| Rabbit controls used in the "knockdown" and "knockout" phases are rarely completely successful (especially the first time around). The objective of this phase is to eliminate all remaining rabbits. The following control techniques are suited to "mop-up" operations:
|
Manage - Implement your controls (monitor and respond as required)
After assessing the situation and planning what actions to use as part of an integrated management plan you are ready to implement rabbit controls specific to the situation.
The timing of plan implementation is crucial, ensure all resources for successful completion are available before commencing.
Monitoring the results as the plan is implemented will allow for adapting and adjusting to changes that occur or unplanned situations. Monitoring also allows for measurement of the success or otherwise of the actions taken.
The rabbit control calendar shows which seasons actions should be undertaken throughout the year:
Mapping and planning
| Yes
| Yes
| No
| No
|
Biological control (subject to environental conditions)
| No
| No
| No
| Yes
|
Poison control (optimum conditions)
| No
| No
| Yes
| Yes
|
Warren destruction (subject to weather conditions)
| No
| Yes
| Yes
| Yes
|
Shooting (subject to the
Tasmanian Firearms Act 1996)
| Yes
| Yes
| Yes
| Yes
|
Remove harbours
| Yes
| Yes
| Yes
| Yes
|
Exclusion
| Yes
| Yes
| Yes
| Yes
|
Improve
After implementing t there should be some knowledge of how successful the plan has been.
Evaluating the
he integrated management plan for rabbit control and reflecting on what worked and what didn't will provide an insight on how to improve next time and build on successes.
If the
Rabbitscan tools have been used, evaluating the rabbit control plan will be easier.
Rabbit control is a long-term, recurring program so revision is very important. Doing the same things over and over will only produce the same results. Apply learnings into the revison and adopt these for future planning.
Evaluation and revision of the plan enable continuous improvement in rabbit control.
A summary of the key steps in an Integrated Pest Management plan is available in the table below:
Define the problem Measure the problem
| Scope the plan Develop the plan
| |
|
More information
Extra resources are available if you need more information about:
European Rabbits
Rabbit control methods
Controlling European Rabbit Populations on your Property (PDF 1Mb)