RABBIT CONTROL

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVI, Issue 23013, 3 October 1944, Page 4

RABBIT CONTROL

Continuous Effort Required Methods Outlined

Extermination of rabbits is the aim of every farmer, but under conditions existing” to-day his main efforts are directed toward some form of control. This is particularly true of the back country, where there is abundant natural cover for rabbits and where labour adequate for their destruction is not available, and where rabbit fencing is impossible, states a bulletin prepared by Canterbury Agricultural College and issued by the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce. The purpose of the bulletin is to outline some of the methods that may be used in the control of the pests. To ensure security from reinfestation of the farm by rabbits from neighbouring farms it is essential that the boundary fence should be rabbit proof. The natural enemies of the rabbit, stoats, ferrets, cats and hawks, should be encouraged in their work of destruction. Unfortunately, there is a high market price for skins of cats and ferrets and the professional rabbiter takes every advantage of these prices. To reduce the destruction of these natural enemies it would seem a step in the right direction if the sale of ferret and cat skins were prohibited. Trapping, the most effective method of control in the late spring, summer and autumn, is popular because the trapper is able to sell the parcase as well as the skin. But the successful trapper must have a sound knowledge of the habits of the rabbit, and this is only acquired by actual experience in the field. In some seasons the rabbits are more easily trapped at burrows, while on other occasions better results are obtained by setting the traps at places where they set or scrape, or at tracks in grass and holes in netting fences. Winter Poisoning If best results are to be obtained, poisoning should be attempted only when ordinary rabbit feed is in short supply during the winter period, June, July and August, or during autumn under very dry conditions. The area to be poisoned should not be disturbed prior to baiting and all sheep should be removed and kept off the area until a week after the period of baiting and poisoning. All poisoned rabbits should be “gutted” and the viscera buried bceause the liver and stomach are poisonous to dogs although the carcase is not. The poison should not be put out until nearly sundown because if rabbits are poisoned before nightfall the skins are often ruined by hawks. Great care must be exercised when handling strychnine or the poisoned bait, and tins of strychnine should be clearly labelled. When the rabbits have been reduced in number the area should be cleaned up by fumigating, burrows, ferreting and dodging. Careful attention to preparation of skins for market is necessary if highest prices are to be obtained. Having commenced his rabbit extermination campaign the farmer should aim at continuous effort over the whole year or years. If he relaxes, the rabbits will increase in numbers during the resulting period of freedom and his efforts will result in some degree of control, not in extermination.