Author name: Rabbit Watch

Rabbit counts will be conducted at night using a thermal telescope. Due to the safety issues that arise from operating on steep and rugged terrain at night we will be using mostly static counts. The thermal telescopes enable accurate counting over areas up to 5 -6 hectare from the point of observation and can record

Plan Rule 6.4.6.1 An occupier within the Otago region shall control feral rabbit densities on the land they occupy to at or below Level 3 on the Modified McLean Scale. Plan Rule 6.4.6.2 Note: This is designated a good neighbour rule An occupier within the Otago region shall, upon receipt of a written direction from an

To Protect or not to protect? Plant guards or tree protectors placed around newly planted native seedlings are sometimes used to provide protection from wind on exposed sites or during hot dry months, and reduce browsing by animals such as rabbits and hares. Selection and use of plant guards will hinge on a number of

Introducing Plantskydd, the 100% natural pest repellent. A growers worst nightmare is to view their plants only to see that half of them have been eaten by pests. We believe when it comes to pests, that prevention is always better than the cure as once animals have got their claws or teeth into your plants,

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