Rabbit control in urban and semi-urban areas

Usage/advantages

Disadvantages

Non-toxic.
Can be used in conjunction with other 
methods.
Non-target animals can be released 
unharmed.

Labour intensive, time consuming and 
requires some skill.
Only suitable for low rabbit numbers.
Rabbits must be killed humanely.

Bait readily available. 
Less potential hazard to domestic 
animals than 1080.
Antidote (Vitamin K1) available.

Cannot be used where there is a risk to 
native animals.
Only to be used in dry weather or in bait stations.

Effective rabbit poison. 
Secondary poisoning of foxes.

High potential human health risk if used in urban 
environments. No effective antidote. 
Domestic animals are at potential risk.
Dry weather required. 
Training required before supply and use.

Useful if rabbits are living in warrens. 
Best used to remove the last few 
remaining rabbits.

Cannot be used if rabbits live above ground. 
Potential hazard to operator. 
May need to be repeated. 
Warrens must be sealable.

Very effective in the short and long-term. 
Stops reinfestation.

High initial cost.
Requires ongoing maintenance and surveillance.

Simple to protect small numbers of plants.
Can be temporary or permanent. 
Reusable.

Only protects individual plants.
Can be labour intensive.

Good follow-up to other control methods.

Labour intensive. 
Not applicable to all situations.
Cannot destroy native vegetation.

May deter rabbits from small areas.
Low cost and relatively safe to use.

May be only temporary.
May need to be re-applied.
Often not suitable for large areas.

Many options have not been scientifically tested.