Posted on
The Limestone Coast Landscape Board is encouraging landholders to clean up their yards to reduce the impact of high numbers of wild rabbits. Wild rabbit numbers have significantly increased in and around Mount Gambier due to an extended breeding season and reduced effectiveness of biological controls.
Usually released in autumn, calicivirus is no longer as effective as it once was. Young rabbits have built immunity that is passed on to future generations. The calicivirus can no longer be relied on as a stand-alone control method. It is critically important for landholders to take other actions.
Myxomatosis, another biological control, still occurs naturally in the local environment and we are always on the lookout for outbreaks. Informing us of any outbreak is important so we can harvest the disease and relocate to areas of high rabbit activity. If you find a rabbit affected by myxomatosis (symptoms such as red eyes, pustules, disorientation) consider placing it at an entrance to an active warren or contact us (08) 8429 7550. Myxomatosis does not affect humans.
“Rabbit proof fencing around areas that may provide shelter, such as wood sheds is a good place to start. Removing places where the rabbits can live from your yard is important”. said Geoff Bowman Senior Landscape Officer for Mount Gambier.
“Property owners can also fill in rabbit holes and cover entrances with mesh to reduce the chance of reinvasion. The Limestone Coast Landscape Board can hire out cage traps or mesh warren traps”.
Controlling wild rabbits in townships can be difficult due to the abundance of food sources, such as lawn grass, clover and garden plants.
“Baiting of wild rabbits with Pindone is most effective when other food sources are scarce, so we recommend waiting until summer to bait,” said Mr Bowman.
“The most effective control will be achieved when neighbours work together to coordinate control efforts over a shorter time, on a larger scale. Talk to your neighbours about coordinating your rabbit control efforts,” said Mr Bowman.
The Limestone Coast Landscape Board will be hosting bait collection days in December and February (pending seasonal conditions) where landholders can purchase urban baiting packs suitable for urban sized blocks. The urban baiting packs will be offered at a discount price and contain enough bait for landholders to complete a full baiting program. Updates to the program are on the Limestone Coast Landscape Board website lc.landscape.sa.gov.au.
Our local Landscape Officers are here to help and assist property owners with their rabbit control efforts.
Together we can work to reduce the wild rabbit population and protect our community and environment.
