Rabbit control experts to share secrets at Port Field Day

A BELLARINE Field Day will highlight an integrated rabbit control strategy, which includes harbour destruction, baiting, warren ripping and fumigation.

Local contractors will be on site in Portarlington to demonstrate mulching Gorse – well-known harbour for rabbits – and ripping and fumigation of warrens.

The impact of rabbits on the landscape continues to cause immeasurable damage, impacting farm productivity, the regeneration of native vegetation, and the survival of native animals.

Bellarine Landcare’s Geoff McFarlane urged landholders to take rabbits seriously.

“Neighbours must cooperate and put in the work required to knock down rabbit numbers, without a coordinated approach, rabbits will win the day.”

As a first step to rabbit control, Bellarine Landcare is encouraging the community to work together to map rabbit numbers and warrens using RabbitScan.

“To understand the problem, we need to be able to see the extent of the rabbit infestation on paper,” Mr McFarlane said.

“RabbitScan is a great tool for facilitating cooperation across boundaries.”

National Coordinator of FeralScan, Peter West, will be at the field day to train people in the RabbitScan App.

The Field Day is being organised by Bellarine Landcare, in partnership with the Bellarine arm of the Victorian Farmers Federation, with support from Agriculture Victoria, the Victorian Rabbit Action Network, Geelong City Council, the Victorian Gorse Taskforce, and Bellarine Catchment Network.

The Field Day will be held at the Portarlington Golf Course, Hood Street, between 10.30am and 1.30pm on Sunday March 18 and will include a light lunch. To register, email [email protected].

For more information, phone Sophie Small, Bellarine Landcare Facilitator, on 0457 333 727.