When should bait stations be considered?
- Bait stations may offer some solution to the problem of reducing the impact of rabbits in urban situations, such as when rabbits are causing damage to home gardens, horticultural industries and market gardens.
- Provided that they are fenced appropriately, bait stations can provide a means for reducing the potential risks to non-target species such as kangaroos and granivorous birds. This is particularly relevant to urban areas where pindone bait needs to be used, including golf courses, parks and market gardens.
- Bait stations can protect the bait if rabbit control needs to be carried out during periods when adverse weather is expected, for example during the winter months when rainfall is likely. However, any rabbit control program is best carried out when other food for rabbits is limited, such as during the summer/autumn period. Wherever possible, it is best to avoid undertaking a baiting program when green feed is available because rabbits are less likely to take bait at this time.
- Broadacre use: provided they are secured and isolated from livestock, the use of bait stations during the summer drought period will permit some control of rabbits if the need for rabbit control becomes a high priority (crop damage, soil erosion, tree farms, conservation purposes) and where paddocks cannot be destocked because water resources are limited. However, follow-up control should be undertaken as soon as possible after the bait stations have been used, and/or other means of control should be incorporated in the control program.
- Bait stations could also be considered where rabbit numbers are relatively low, where only small areas need to be baited, and/or as a means for mopping-up after rabbit numbers have been reduced by other means, including RHD, myxomatosis or shooting.
Remember, however, that trail baiting should be your first choice wherever possible.
Further information
For further information on rabbits and rabbit control, search our website, or contact the Pest and Disease Information Service.