Hopping mad? Summer is prime time to rein in rabbits

Local landowners need to jump onto rabbit control this summer, says Peel Harvey Biosecurity Group (PHBG). In an effort to help locals battle Australia’s most costly pest, PHBG will host information sessions across the Peel-Harvey region in December. The sessions will provide landowners with practical guidance on effective rabbit control methods.

PHBG Executive Officer Teele Hooper-Worrell said it’s essential that property owners understand how to control rabbits effectively, regardless of whether the property is a few acres or a productive farm.

“Rabbits cause over $270 million in damage to agriculture every year, but that figure doesn’t capture the damage to our native ecosystems or the day-to-day impact on landholders,” said Teele.

“Rabbits impact on landholders in a range of ways–they graze on crops, prevent native plants from regenerating, their warrens can make a paddock unusable or even undermine buildings. Just one or two rabbits can lead to long-lasting effects and should initiate control by landholders. Two rabbits become many rabbits in a short amount of time.”

Summer and early autumn is the best time for rabbit control due to reduced food supplies, a temporary lull in breeding, and the vulnerability of young rabbits. With control methods including trapping, shooting, poisoning along with biocontrols, there are options to suit various property sizes and landowner preferences.

The December information sessions offer landowners insights into selecting and implementing the best rabbit control strategy for their patch. In-person sessions are scheduled in Mandurah, Murray, Oakford and Lake Clifton, with an additional online session for those who can't attend in person.

PHBG will also provide information on the upcoming 2025 calicivirus release, an effective biocontrol option for managing larger rabbit populations. To improve the effectiveness of this initiative, PHBG is working with local landholders to trap rabbits to test for areas of low immunity.

Interested landowners can visit PHBG.org for more information on the workshops, to register, or to learn more about the rabbit blood drive.

For enquiries please contact Communications Officer Suzie Winterton via media@phbg.org.