With summer just around the corner, Landscapes Hills and Fleurieu says it’s the perfect time to start planning how to tackle rabbits.

A well planned control program will reap huge benefits for both properties and for the broader landscape - crops, native vegetation, waterways and soils.

To get started, Landscapes Hills and Fleurieu will hold free Rabbit Control Information Sessions for landholders throughout the region in early December. 

These sessions will help to set up for a really successful control program, providing a better understanding of rabbit behaviour and how to use this information to bait effectively and safely. 

This includes how to use Pindone and K5 calicivirus, plus tips for integrating other strategies to deter rabbits from establishing.

There will also be plenty of time for questions and discussion with expert presenters.

The info sessions will be held at:

• McLaren Flat -  Friday 1 December.
• Goolwa - Tuesday 5 December.
• Mount Barker - Tuesday 5 December and Sunday 10 December.
• Strathalbyn - Tuesday 12 December.
• Aldgate - Tuesday 12 December. 

Bookings through the Landscapes Hills and Fleurieu website on the Pest Animals webpage. 

These sessions will be followed by several Rabbit Bait and Virus Distribution Days in February and March 2024, the perfect time to bait rabbits due to the dry conditions and low feed availability. 

Pindone and K5 (calicivirus) distribution events will be held between 5-16 February, and Pindone bait only events between 12-21 March.

Susan Ivory, Team Leader Regional Pests, says feral rabbits are an incredibly destructive pest in the region.

“They pose a massive threat to biodiversity, agriculture and overall landscape health - overgrazing pasture and crops, causing erosion, preventing regeneration of native vegetation and impacting vulnerable ecosystems,” she says.

“As always, we encourage neighbours to plan their programs together because it really takes an integrated approach for long-lasting results. 

“When it comes time to bait, properties must be over 1000m2 to use pindone, and it’s important to ‘free-feed’ unbaited carrots at least three times, over 9-10 days before baiting.

“With El Nino setting in, conditions will be less favourable for rabbits, making it the perfect time to make a real impact on the rabbit population. A good plan now will set landholders up for a successful baiting program and will guide them on how to remove rabbit shelter, including how to destroy warrens.”

Visit the Landscape SA website to register for the information sessions and to find information, fact sheets and videos explaining how to lay the treated carrots.