In Western Australia, European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) are a declared pest under the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007. Landholders are legally required to control rabbit populations on their properties to reduce environmental damage and agricultural losses.
Rabbits cause widespread issues across WA — from destroying crops and pasture to triggering erosion, threatening native vegetation, and increasing feed costs due to grazing pressure.
✅ Effective Rabbit Control Methods in WA
The most successful approach is Integrated Rabbit Control, combining multiple methods tailored to the property, season, and severity of infestation.
1. Biological Control (Myxomatosis & RHDV)
Australia has released two main biological controls:
- Myxomatosis: Introduced in the 1950s, this virus initially decimated rabbit populations but now has reduced effectiveness due to increasing resistance.
- Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV or calicivirus): Released in the 1990s and updated in 2017 (RHDV-K5), this virus spreads rapidly, targeting adult rabbits and working best in arid and semi-arid WA regions.
🧬 While biological controls are part of the solution, they do not eliminate rabbit populations entirely. They’re most effective when combined with other methods like ground shooting, baiting and warren destruction.
2. Poison Baiting
- 1080 (Sodium fluoroacetate): A native compound to WA flora, highly effective and less risky to native wildlife.
- Pindone: Safer for urban-fringe or high-traffic areas but requires more applications.
☑️ Always follow DPIRD regulations and safety protocols. Both poisons require training and/or a restricted chemical permit.
3. Warren Destruction
Use ripping or fumigation to destroy warrens after baiting. This prevents re-infestation and significantly reduces rabbit breeding habitat. Warrens are most accessible in dry conditions.
4. Fencing
Protect sensitive or high-value areas (e.g. revegetation zones or cropping land) with rabbit-proof fencing. Fences should be:
- Buried at least 30 cm deep
- 1.2 metres high
- Angled outward at the base
5. Trapping & Shooting
Useful on smaller properties or where baiting isn’t feasible. These methods offer short-term reduction and are best used as a backup or to target survivors from broader control efforts.
🌱 Why It Matters in WA
Rabbits:
- Compete with native wildlife
- Strip groundcover and prevent regeneration
- Increase land degradation and erosion
- Create economic losses in pasture, livestock injury and crop production
- Drive up feed costs for livestock
🐇 Humane and Legal Control
All control activities in WA must comply with animal welfare and pesticide safety legislation. We recommend following:
- The Code of Practice for the Humane Control of Rabbits (PestSmart Toolkit)
- WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) guidelines
These ensure your control measures are effective, ethical, and legally compliant.
📞 Need Help Managing Rabbits?
At Resting Reds – Fauna Services, we offer tailored, on-ground rabbit control across WA – from regional properties to agricultural enterprises.
We combine licensed shooting, baiting, and property-specific planning to reduce rabbit pressure and support recovery of both land and livestock.
📞 Call 0450 303 434 or message us to discuss your rabbit management needs.
Leave a Reply