TIM Bloomfield, veteran rabbit control guru, shared his \u2018recipe for success\u2019 for controlling rabbits recently at Bellarine Landcare Group\u2019s Rabbit Control Field Day in Drysdale.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe rabbit makes the burrow, but the burrow makes the rabbit,\u201d Mr Bloomfield said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe warren provides protection from predators and the elements; destroy the warren and you will stop rabbits from breeding.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust two rabbits will breed up to 184 in 18 months, and just two rabbits per ha will prevent the regeneration of native plants.\u201d<\/p>\n
Over 50 people gathered at the Field Day to learn the importance of destroying rabbit warrens as an essential element of rabbit control, along with other insights into best practice rabbit control.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe proven steps to rabbit control is first, knock down the numbers with baiting, followed by destroying warrens, removing rabbit harbour such as rubbish piles, and then follow-up maintenance,\u201d Mr Bloomfield said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn all my years of working on the Bellarine in the 1970s and 80s, I\u2019ve never seen rabbit numbers as high as they are now.\u201d<\/p>\n
Geoff McFarlane, Chair of the Bellarine Landcare Group\u2019s Rabbit Action Group, said that they want landholders to get on board with mapping warrens and doing spotlight counts so they can assess the true extent of the rabbits on the Bellarine.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need neighbours to work together and that\u2019s another essential ingredient in the rabbit control recipe.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pete Wright from Allright Ag and Pest demonstrated an implosion method of warren destruction along with warren excavation in amongst trees using a 1.2 tonne excavator.<\/p>\n
The Bellarine Landcare Rabbit Action Group demonstrated their innovative warren smoking gear for identifying warren exits.<\/p>\n
Belgrove Hire donated the 1.2 tonne excavator, and City of Greater Geelong supported the day.<\/p>\n
Landholders wanting information or advice on controlling rabbits can contact Bellarine Landcare Group at facilitator@bellarinelandcare.org.au or go to bellarinelandcare.org.au.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
TIM Bloomfield, veteran rabbit control guru, shared his \u2018recipe for success\u2019 for controlling rabbits recently at Bellarine Landcare Group\u2019s Rabbit Control Field Day in Drysdale. \u201cThe rabbit makes the burrow, but the burrow makes the rabbit,\u201d Mr Bloomfield said. \u201cThe warren provides protection from predators and the elements; destroy the warren and you will stop […]<\/p>\n