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Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus): Rabbits were introduced to Britain in the12th century by man and are now widespread throughout Britain in areas that provide suitable vegetation for grazing and well drained ground for burrowing they live communally with other rabbits in a system of burrows known as a warren. They are common in parks and golf courses railway embankments and in gardens were they burrow under sheds and trees.
They cause damage resulting from both digging and feeding activities rabbit burrowing can undermine embankments and structures resulting in collapses. Burrows and scrapes damage the surface of amenity grasslands such as golf courses bowling greens and cricket pitches. They also cause damage by feeding on shoots and leaves and bark stripping, grazing damage can weaken or kill most garden plants and allotment crops.
Damage to cereals and other crops can result in serious economic loss to the farmer. Yields losses of 1% per rabbit per hectare per winter wheat.
Life Cycle: The main breeding season is January to July. Females may produce 4-5 litters per year with an average of 5 young per litter. Early born litters do not survive well, particularly if conditions are cold and wet.
Signs of Presence:
Rabbits leave many signs of their presence in an area. These include:
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Burrows: interconnecting to form a warren system of which some or all of the entrances may be hidden in scrub. |
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Scrapes: small excavations, usually with one or two droppings among the excavations. |
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Runs: pathways where the repeated passage of rabbits has suppressed the vegetation. |
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Fur: either caught on fencing or thorns, or torn out during fighting. |
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Droppings: spherical pellets 7-10mm in diameter composed largely of undigested plant remains |
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Feeding signs: grazing of vegetation and barking of shrubs and trees |
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Every occupier of land under the Pests Act 1954: is responsible for controlling wild rabbits on there land and were it is not practical to control them then steps must be taken to prevent damage e.g. erection of rabbit proof fence.
These notes are general advice, should you require further advice please contact PCS environmental services were a qualified technician will come out and do a free survey.
Pest Control Solutions Environmental Services uses traditional as well as modern control methods as well as using methods for the prevention of damage.
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Ferreting: We have a full working team of ferrets with dogs and are experienced in the art of using long nets and purse nets. |
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Shooting: due to considerations of safety and the public were we can shoot we have experienced staff using the latest Gen3 night vision scopes which allows us to shoot in complete darkness. |
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Gassing: We are qualified in the use of Aluminium phosphide and this method can be very affective if carried out in the right situations. |
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Baited Cage Traps: placed in the feeding areas of the rabbit these are very effective in certain situations such as gardens and cemeteries. |
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We also use spring traps snares and drop traps in the right conditions and suitable situations.
We can also fit rabbit proof fencing and electric rabbit fencing which is the most effective and permanent way of confining within or excluding them from an area. We can also fit a Varity of plastic or metal individual tree guards to protect young trees.
For more information, please either make your enquiries through the Contact Us Page,
email us directly at info@pcspestcontrol.co.uk or call us on 0800 012 1579.
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Rabbit hidding in drainage pipe |
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Long netting a warren on a orchard |
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Rabbit damage on trees in a orchard |
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Digging to a ferret that has got a rabbit in a stop end |
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Ferret going in to a warren with a puse net over the hole |
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Longnetting a rabbit warren in a clients garden |
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June 2008 thie years ferret litter there is six 3 hobs 3 jills
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Looking through a gen3 night vision scope in pitch darkness
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A rabbit caught for a client using a baited cage |
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PCS Pest Control Services would like to say abig thankyou to the Hunting life forum and Airgun BBS forum for some of the photographs shown. |
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