Author name: Rabbit Watch

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Fumigants are poisons that are introduced into a rabbit burrow system, to form toxic gases which are inhaled by the rabbit, causing death by absorption. Fumigation does not require the rabbit to eat a bait and so is effective in areas where bait shyness is a problem. It is labour intensive but can be used

Trapping Leg-hold trapping is useful for dealing with small numbers of rabbits where alternative techniques are not viable. Effectiveness depends on the skill and experience of the operator. The Animal Welfare Act 1999 requires that traps are checked within 12 hours of sunrise, and for rabbits this should be as early as possible. The Animal

Pindone Susceptibility – Table showing Chronic Toxicity LD 50 of Pindone: LD 50 Mg/kg Animal Weight Mg Pindone of kill 50% Pellets to kill Rabbits 0.52 1.5 kg 0.78 21 Wallabies 2.0 10 kg 20 80 Birds of prey 2.0 Dogs 2.5 9 kg 22.5 90 Cats 3.0 2.5 kg 7.5 30 Sheep 12.0 40

Pindone Characteristics: Full grown Rabbits require 21 Pindone pellets for mortality. Eaten over 5-6 days. Multi-feed toxicant Assess the area to be treated using the Modified McLean Scale. It takes around 2-4 feeds before enough Pindone is digested. Majority of rabbits will die underground. The hierarchy within the population can affect the initial volume of

Night shooting is a reasonably efficient technique for killing rabbits and can be undertaken throughout the year as required. Often three passes are needed for control to be achieved, and at least 70% of the area must be accessible before contemplating night shooting. Night shooting tackles the rabbit population at a time when they are

The Modified McLean Scale is effective when dealing with large populations of rabbits that are leaving obvious signs such as buck heaps, burrows and rabbits visible and quantifiable. This scale may not be ideal for smaller blocks where the signs are not so obvious. Using a spotlight at night, count how many rabbits are within

Eradication of rabbits is almost futile if you don’t keep any neighbouring rabbits out, especially if neighbouring properties are not keeping on top of their rabbit control. Since the 1880s, farmers have built rabbit fences using wire netting. Fencing had two distinct aims: to prevent rabbits spreading into new areas, and to contain them to

Online encyclopedia Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand outlines the history of rabbit control in New Zealand. The first Rabbit Nuisance Act was passed in 1867, and there have been many more Acts since. The 1881 Act established a system of rabbit inspectors. The 1882 Act increased their powers. Inspectors came under the authority

Hares and rabbits are lagomorphs and belong to the Leporidae family. Hares are generally bigger than rabbits. Hares are distinguished from rabbits by their larger size, longer ears, and longer hind legs. They also tend to live alone or in pairs in above-ground nests. Rabbits live in social groups. Their young are born blind and

Biology of the Rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus (content copied from – National Pest Control Agencies Rabbit Guide) Rabbits of European or Australian origin were released in New Zealand during the 1850s. By 1876, numbers had increased and were widespread enough to cause concern in some areas. Rabbits spread rapidly and numbers peaked in 1890. Rabbits competed for

Rabbits were introduced to New Zealand in the 19th century for food and sport. They soon became a pest. Reaching plague proportions in some areas, they cost the country millions of dollars through lost production on farmland as well as through attempts to control them. Rabbit numbers have escalated dramatically. Many areas that have not