Wild Rabbit Pest Control

Fluffy bunny rabbits are cute as pie and are a common pet in Australian households. However, wild rabbits are not as innocent. In Australia, the wild rabbit, also known as the European rabbit, is a major pest and were the quickest colonising mammal to spread from its introduction by the First Fleet. This invasive species multiplies rapidly and can cause costly damage to agricultural crops and gardens without proper wild rabbit pest control.

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From Preparation to Treatment

A rabbit infestation usually occurs in pastoral areas and requires professional attention. Flick Pest Control’s expert technicians have experience trapping rabbits humanely with cage and barrel traps.

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Natural rabbit repellants are available, which you can spray on plants to ward them away from your garden.

We have numerous customised solutions available. It starts with a site analysis. Start yours today by calling us 1300 270 019

Rabbits will only live in areas which provide cover from natural predators. That means low-hanging shrubs and ground cover. You can make your garden less ‘rabbit friendly’ by planting larger trees and keeping your lawn manicured.

Common Wild Rabbit Questions

  1. Where do wild rabbits live?

    Wild rabbits are an occasional occurrence across NSW and part of Queensland, Perth, and Victoria, but are a common widespread pest across SA and in the southern region of WA. Fortunately, wild rabbits are mainly absent in the northern region of Australia.

  2. How are wild rabbits different from domestic rabbits?

    Rabbits that are born and bred in the wild are generally grey-brown, with pale belly fur. They are about the same size as domestic rabbits, growing to around 45cm in length. Domestic rabbits may be black, ginger or white in colour. Rules on owning rabbits vary by state or territory.

  3. Why are wild rabbits considered pests?

    Wild rabbits were introduced in Australia by the first fleet in 1788. They are a major pest for agriculture, costing the country up to $1 billion annually. They graze on vegetables and crops, which prevent seedlings from regenerating. Their strong numbers and ability to reproduce rapidly is a threat to at least 156 species. In the urban environment, rabbits can damage gardens and the land under buildings. They can also transmit diseases and put other domestic animals at risk.

  4. Do I need professional wild rabbit control?

    Flick is experienced in providing solutions for pest rabbits. We use a number of control methods, including cage traps and barrel traps. As rules differ from state to state, we will assess the site and come up with a bespoke solution.

  5. Are there any sprays to get rid of rabbits?

    There are a number of rabbit repellants on the market that can repulse rabbits without harming them. These can be sprayed on low shrubs in your garden to discourage rabbits from converging on your garden. Talk to your local Flick Pest Control branch for recommendations.

Common Rabbits

  • European Rabbit

European Rabbit

Appearance

The European Rabbit (Wild rabbit) is about 45cm tall, with long hind legs and short front legs. They have long ears and slightly protruding eyes on the side of the head. Fur is greyish brown.

Lifestyle

European Rabbits are famous for their prolific breeding capabilities. They can breed at any time of year, becoming sexually mature from 3-4 months. Their gestation period is 28-30 days and they have litters of between 4 and 6 kittens. A single pair of rabbits can increase to 184 individuals within 18 months. There are a number of diseases that have been introduced to control rabbits, including myxomatosis. However, wild rabbits have been slowly developing a tolerance to this.

Habits

Rabbits usually emerge from their warren 1-3 hrs before sunset, grazing and socialising. They usually stay above ground during the night unless disturbed. When threatened, rabbits will crouch down and freeze or try to sneak away. If close to the warren, they will make a dash for it. They usually feed on areas of short vegetation within 300m.