The european rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) was introduced in 1859 in Australia for hunting and soon became a pest. Rabbit control methods have included poisoning, warren and harbour destruction via ripping, shooting, trapping, exclusion fencing, biological control (rabbit haemorrhagic disease and myxomatosis) and fumigation.
Aus Eco Solutions most commonly uses fumigation in rabbit management. This involves the introduction of toxic fumes into a warren via diffusion fumigation, which is commonly carried out using aluminium phosphide tablets which liberate phosphine gas on exposure to atmospheric or soil moisture. It is a systemic poison which depresses the central nervous system and respiratory function. Our crew have been conducting pest management for Moorabool City Council, VicRoads and local landholders for over ten years.
Aus Eco Solutions is currently working on a shooting program run out at Fiskville using licensed shooters in order to reduce the population of rabbits within this region. Rabbits compete with native animals for food and habitat, damage vegetation and expose soil to erosion. They ringbark trees and shrubs, and prevent regeneration by eating seeds and seedlings. Their impact often increases during drought and immediately after fire when food is scarce and they eat whatever they can.
The ecological changes caused by large numbers of rabbits may have contributed to the extinction of several small ground-dwelling mammals and to the decline in numbers of many native plants and animals. Managing these pests is vital to conserving and protecting Australian native flora and fauna.
Image 2. Rabbit infestation