Rabbit baiting control options
There are a number of methods that can be used to control rabbits. To achieve good results it is best to use a combination of approaches. Landscapes Hills and Fleurieu can assist with ground baiting utilising Pindone carrots or K5 calicivirus.
These baits can be purchased at our distribution days held in Summer and Autumn only. Information session will be held in December 2024. Follow our Facebook page and sign-up to Stewardship News to stay informed.
Special notice re cessation of Pindone-treated carrot sales from our office
Please note, we have ceased selling Pindone-treated carrots from our office, but you can still buy these at our Rabbit bait Distribution Days, which will commence in December this year. These events will be advertised on our Landscapes Hills and Fleurieu Facebook page, this webpage and in Stewardship News, which you can subscribe to here.
If you wish to control rabbits now, you can purchase Pindone Oats at rural retailers. Any rabbit bait will be most effective when used in combination with other strategies - please see below, ‘Managing wild rabbits on your property’ for more details on this. Don’t forget when using Pindone oats to always follow the instructions on the label and don’t bait if wildlife will have access to the baiting oats.
We are also holding Rabbit Management Information sessions this November and December across the region to help you make the most of your rabbit control efforts. Please register here.
Sales of Pindone-treated carrots from our office have been replaced with specific Distribution Days in order to ensure rabbits are baited across multiple properties at the same time. This enables more effective rabbit control and better environmental outcomes.
Ground baiting with pindone carrots
Dyed, green, Pindone-treated carrots are just one of the tools suggested by Landscapes Hills and Fleurieu to help control escalating rabbit numbers throughout the region. When using Pindone, it is extremely important that strategies are used that minimise the potential impact on non-target animals.
To limit the potential for off-target impacts we strongly encourage you to
- Pre-feed with unbaited carrots – this will help determine the places where rabbits prefer to feed. It will also help you work out how much baited carrots you will need.
- While pre-feeding with unbaited carrots, monitor bait uptake and ensure off-target species are not eating the carrots
- Not bait within native vegetation and to maintain a good buffer between baiting areas and native vegetation or dense exotic vegetation that could support small native mammals.
- Lay baits in the evening, pick up any uneaten baits the following morning and dispose of them via deep burial.
- Consider covering bait trails with solid or mesh tunnels to limit access.
- If you only have a small number of rabbits consider constructing or purchasing a bait station. Clumping bait for large numbers of rabbits is not recommended however using a bait station to cover and slightly raise the bait can assist in reducing access to bait for non-target species.
- Dead rabbits should also be buried deeply to avoid other animals feeding on the carcasses.
- If you see native animals eating bait stop your baiting program immediately.
For Pindone to be effective on rabbits they need to have multiple feeding events over 10-12 days to build up a lethal dose. If you suspect that your pet has eaten Pindone treated carrots then it is likely to get sick but is unlikely to die if it has eaten small amounts. We suggest you take it to the vet immediately just to be sure. Vitamin K1 is an antidote to Pindone poisoning.
All the bait active ingredients sold by Landscapes Hills and Fleurieu are regulated by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority.
Whilst rabbits can be pests in the wild but they must still be controlled in a humane manner. If in doubt seek further advice from the RSPCA.
Baiting with the K5 calicivirus release program
Land managers may wish to be involved in the K5 calicivirus release program which will run in February 2025. This can be a good option for those on block smaller than 1000 square metres who can’t use Pindone or who are not comfortable using poisons. The effectiveness of K5 is highly variable and is dependent on any pre-existing tolerances to K5 and the ability of flies to spread the virus. Information on how to run a safe and successful K5 baiting program on your property can be found in the below video.
This program is also offered to the six councils in our region. Information on their release sites may be found on council websites.
Pet rabbits and calicivirus
If you keep pet rabbits then you must ensure they can’t escape. Calicivruses and Myxomatosis move through the landscape without assistance from government agencies or landholders. Baiting with RHDV K5 Calicivirus enables landholders to target where the virus is in the landscape. To help protect pets rabbits ensure they don’t come into contact with feral rabbits. It is also wise to vaccinate your rabbit from calicivirus.