FERAL rabbit populations are on the rise throughout the Murraylands region on the back of summer rains, warm weather and abundant green feed, so landholders are being urged to start thinking about integrated control programs with neighbours.
Feral rabbits are estimated to cost primary producers millions of dollars annually, causing extensive damage to crops and pastures and threatening the survival of native plants and animals.
Grazing on crops reduces yields while grazing on pastures increases competition for feed with livestock, which can affect a property's carrying capacity.
The grazing impact of 12 rabbits is equivalent to one dry sheep.
A single pair of rabbits have the potential to breed every 14 weeks and multiply up to 180 rabbits in 18 months.
Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board District Manager Kylie Moritz says we are in the height of rabbit breeding season so it is an ideal time to start thinking about an integrated rabbit control program with neighbours.
"As pest animals do not know what boundary fences are, working together with your neighbours at a similar time to undertake an ongoing combined rabbit control program will provide better results, reduce costs and offer greater chances of longer term success," she said.
"Our rabbit control toolbox has many options. We encourage landholders to use best practice methods such as removal of harbors, warren and burrow destruction, warren fumigation, calicivirus release and baiting."
Ms Moritz said the Landscape Board recommend using a variety of these methods, as individual methods alone could not completely control rabbit populations by themselves.
"We know rabbits are difficult to control and require constant ongoing landholder action to manage. Investing a little effort now will save you time and money later" she said.
Ms Moritz said equipment such as bait-laying trailers could be hired from the Murray Bridge landscape office.
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