Who doesn’t love a rabbit? It has to be the most popular creature to characterise – from Bugs to Peter, to Roger, to White Rabbit, to Miffy, to Thumper, to the Easter Bunny or Rabbit in Pooh Bear. All with their own character, encouraging us to think of rabbits as cute, entertaining and mischievous.
The reality, especially if you are a farmer, is not quite so loveable. Wild rabbits can cause considerable damage and loss of crops. At this time of year, the population is at its highest meaning that rabbits can become more of a pest problem.
Breeding Like Rabbits
Rabbits have a long breeding season which can be year long, but is mainly focused on January to September. With a gestation period of just 31 days, and producing litters of up to 7, populations can quickly grow.
Damage to Property
Rabbits are very sociable and live in communities in complex burrow systems called warrens. With multiple entrances, warrens can cover a wide area, undermining and causing damage to roads and dikes.
Damage to Crops
Rabbits are herbivores and love agricultural crops, as well as bark, buds, leaves and grasses.
But stop!! We love rabbits
It is important to remember that rabbits are an important part of the natural system and can have a positive impact on our ecosystem. They are a food source for foxes, hawks, owls and stoats. Their grazing clears areas allowing plants and insects to flourish. They help to fertilise the soil, again encouraging foliage and insects.
It is important to control rabbit populations to balance the benefits on our environment with the pest element.
How to control Rabbits
1. Fencing
- Rabbit-proof fencing: Use mesh wire fencing with small holes to prevent rabbits from squeezing through. The fence should be at least 90cm high and buried, at least 30cm deep into the ground, to prevent rabbits from burrowing underneath.
- Electric fencing: A low electric fence can be effective in keeping rabbits out of specific areas such as gardens or small plots of land.
2. Habitat Management
- Clear areas where rabbits might find shelter, such as dense vegetation, brush piles, and debris. This makes the area less attractive to rabbits and can reduce their numbers.
3. Trapping
- Use live traps baited with vegetables like carrots or cabbage. Once caught, rabbits can be relocated, although this is often subject to local wildlife regulations.
- Approved spring traps can be used under the UK’s pest control laws. These traps are designed to kill the rabbit humanely.
4. Shooting
- Shooting rabbits is legal in the UK but must be done humanely and by someone with the appropriate firearm license. It is usually more effective in rural areas. Rabbits are most active at dawn and dusk, so night shooting with appropriate equipment can be effective.
5. Gassing
- This is used in severe infestations, especially in agricultural settings. This method should only be carried out by professionals.
6. Ferreting
- Ferrets are used to flush rabbits from burrows into nets which can be placed over the top of the burrows, or a long net surrounding the area. Once a ferret enters the burrow the rabbit will bolt and get caught in the placed net. Ferreting is best carried out between October and March.
Legal Considerations
It is important to ensure that any methods used are legal and humane. The UK’s Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and other regulations must be followed, particularly regarding trapping, shooting, and the use of poisons.
Winning Combination
In most situations, it is a combination of these methods which will help to effectively manage and reduce rabbit populations. Regular monitoring and maintenance are key to keeping rabbit numbers under control.
If your fields are looking like a scene from Watership Down, and you need help managing a population surge, then give us a call.
