| The
facts
The ancestor of all domestic rabbits, the European rabbit
has become so successful that it is considered a pest in
many areas. They were introduced to the UK by the Normans
in the 12th century to provide meat and fur. Rabbits are
smaller and less gangly than hares, and have shorter ears.
The tips of the ears are brown, and the upper surface of
the tail is dark brown. The characteristic white flash on
the underside of the tail can be seen when the animal is
fleeing. The body fur is brown/grey. Head-body length: 30-40
cm, weight: 1.2-2kg.
Where Rabbits live?
They live on heath land, open meadow, grassland, woodland,
the fringes of agricultural land and dry sandy soil, including
sand dunes. Rabbits have a burrow system known as a warren,
and tunnels can be 1-2m long. The nest at the end of the
tunnel is lined with grass, moss and belly fur. They use
regular trails, which they scent mark with faecal pellets.
Why keep Rabbits under control?
The reason rabbits are considered a pest are due to the
rabbit population increasing, as they are becoming immune
to the myxomatosis virus. Rabbits become sexually mature
after just four months and breed rapidly, so they can readily
replace themselves causing damage to lawns, plants, golf
courses & agricultural land. An order has been made
under section one of the pest act 1954 by which England
and Wales (except for the city of London, the Isles of Silly
and Skokholm Island) have been declared a Rabbit Clearance
Area. In this area, every occupier of land is responsible
for destroying wild rabbits on his/her land or for taking
steps to prevent them causing damage.
Prevention & Control
Little can be done to prevent rabbits from entering your
land all that can be done is to eradicate the problem at
first sight before they establish and breed causing a considerable
amount of damage. Trapping, gas, or humanely shot is the
most communally used methods on the market today. The rabbit
warren will be gassed by putting fumigation tablets of *Talunex
made from PHOSTOXIN which contains the active ingredient
ALUMINIUM PHOSPHIDE in the form of (56%w/w). The MAFF No.
for this product is 01775. This treatment is most effective
in the Winter months when the earth is damper (*Phostoxin
needs moisture to release Aluminium Phosphide gas that kills
the rabbits). The movement of rabbits from one area to another
is easier during these periods so warrens treated at this
time are liable to reoccupation fairly quickly although
much depends on individual circumstances The treatment is
guaranteed to reduce the rabbit population although by how
much and for how long cannot be guaranteed. In the late
spring, summer and early autumn rabbits will often not use
the warrens at all but lay up on the surface the alternative
solution would be to shoot or humanely trapped.
Treatment
Contact Paramite Pest Solutions if you suspect you may have
a problem and we can advise you on the best course of action.
A visit by our pest control officer can be arranged. He
will carry out a survey and suggest which of the above method
will be used to eradicate the problem. You will be advised
on the type of action to take in a case of an accident.
Aluminium Phosphide (Talunex) is a deadly poison so the
warrens should not be disrupted for at least 24hrs after
treatment. Paramite Pest Solutions will take all possible
precautions in the placing of traps and gas. Revisits will
be made until the problem is cleared.
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