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The first stage of any baiting programme is to estimate the number of rabbits.
This can be done by driving along a line or transect (along a fence line or laneway) using a spotlight to count the rabbits seen.
Identify the areas in which the rabbits are actively feeding. These areas are typically where there are signs of scratchings and piles of rabbit faeces. This is where you should establish the bait trail.
Suggested bait trail
Rabbits are very territorial, and like to investigate freshly disturbed soil so as to identify who or what has entered their area.
For best results it helps to make a trail by scraping a shallow furrow using a plough, grader blade or simply by hand by dragging a hoe or mattock across the ground. The trail should be made throughout the area where the rabbits are actively scratching and feeding, not just around the warren openings. Rabbits do not normally feed near their warrens, and are therefore not likely to eat bait placed there.
For large scale programmes establish about 20 km of trail per 100 hectares of rabbit infestation.
Though not essential, rabbits can be encouraged to the trail by offering one or two "free feeds" of non-poisoned oats prior to laying the poisoned bait.
The free feed also helps to establish the correct quantity of bait to lay along the trail.
The application rate depends on the number of rabbits in an area to be baited.
For small programmes allow about 30 g of bait per rabbit per feed.
As a guide, a 10 hectare property with 100 rabbits will require 10 to 20 kg of RABBAIT® to complete a programme.
| Small Programmes | |
|---|---|
| Number of rabbits | Approximate baits laid per feed (Kg) |
| 25 | 0.75 |
| 50 | 1.5 |
| 100 | 3.0 |
| Large Programmes | |
| Density of rabbits (Rabbits/km of spotlight transect) | Approximate baits laid per feed (Kg) |
| Low <20 | 3-6 |
| Medium 21-50 | 6-10 |
| High >50 | 10-15 |
We recommend that these dose rates are tried first with a free feed, and altered in response to the sections of the trail that show actual rabbit activity.
Allow for about 10% of bait to remain when the bait trail is checked on the morning following application.
Three dose programme and its effect on rabbit numbers
Pindone is most effective when administered to rabbits in three doses about four days apart over a 10-12 day period.
This optimises the reduction of rabbit numbers while using minimal quantities of poison. This reduces cost and minimises risk to non-target animals.
Three doses gives all rabbits access to the bait and prolongs the period for which the rabbits are inhibited from recycling their Vitamin K.
Rabbit numbers will begin to slowly decline between the second and third poison feeds, and significantly reduce in the ten days after the last feed, as shown in the adjacent rabbit numbers graphic.
The sodium salt of pindone degrades slowly in water. The rate of degradation depends on the temperature. Because the pre-prepared oats have low moisture content, the stability is greater than for the concentrate. Storage at high temperatures should be avoided. At 25°C, RABBAIT® Pindone Oat Bait has a shelf-life of one year.
Full instructions for use are on the product label and information booklets are available on request.
RABBAIT® – Preventing environmental damage by rabbits in sensitive areas.
Animal Control Technologies
46-50 Freight Drive
Somerton, Victoria, 3062
Australia
Telephone +61 3 9308 9688
Fax +61 3 9308 9622
E-mail: enquiries@animalcontrol.com.au
