LANDHOLDERS on the Surf Coast and Bellarine Peninsula are being reminded that now is the ideal time for rabbit control.
\nDepartment of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resource (DEDJTR) Biosecurity of increased rabbit populations in pockets across the region.
\nsummer and early autumn provides the most effective time of year for rabbit management.
\n\u201cBreeding has generally ceased and biological control and harsh environmental conditions assist to \u201cUndertaking rabbit control during this period will also help reduce next season\u2019s breeding stock.
\n\u201cRabbits are declared established pest animals under the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994, and that all landholders have a legal responsibility to as far as possible eradicate rabbits from their properties.
\n\u201cThese legislative requirements are in recognition of the direct impact rabbits have on agricultural production through crop and pasture loss and over grazing, leading to reduced livestock carrying capacity.\u201d
\nnatural environment.
\n\u201cThere are over 300 threatened species in Australia adversely affected by competition and land degradation caused by rabbits.
\n\u201cLandholders planning to undertake rabbit control programs should monitor their properties to determine the extent of the problem and record warren systems and harbour, such as fallen timber and woody weeds.\u201d
\nfocus on destruction of warren systems and removal or manipulation of harbour, as rabbits use warrens for shelter from adverse weather, predators and for breeding.
\n\u201cRemoving warren systems and harbour and rebound.
\n\u201cWherever possible, warrens should be ripped using heavy earth moving equipment.
\n\u201cWhere ripping isn\u2019t feasible, fumigation can be undertaken. Effective fumigation may require repeated treatments.\u201d poison baiting may be used to reduce populations prior to ripping and fumigation to minimise warrens re-opening.
\nPoisoning used in isolation won\u2019t provide longterm control, as rabbits will rebound quickly, re-invade warrens and re-establish in a short period of time.
\nLandholders planning rabbit control programs should discuss their plans with neighbours and look to broaden the scale of the program to reduce the likelihood of re-invasion.
\n\u201cRabbits are persistent, long-term control relies on the landholder being more persistent than the rabbit,\u201d can be found at bellarinelandcare.org.au or go to agriculture.vic.gov.au.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
LANDHOLDERS on the Surf Coast and Bellarine Peninsula are being reminded that now is the ideal time for rabbit control. Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resource (DEDJTR) Biosecurity of increased rabbit populations in pockets across the region. summer and early autumn provides the most effective time of year for rabbit management. \u201cBreeding has […]<\/p>\n