Rabbits

Rabbit Control in Newcastle, Sunderland, and Durham

Rabbits can cause significant damage to gardens, lawns, and agricultural land across Newcastle, Sunderland, and Durham. They dig holes and burrows, destroy plants, and eat crops, leading to costly damage for homeowners and landowners. In addition to the damage they cause, wild rabbits can carry fleas and transmit diseases, such as myxomatosis, to domestic rabbits.

Legal Obligations for Rabbit Control

Under the Pests Act 1954, most of England and Wales, including the North East, is designated as a Rabbit Clearance Area. This means that landowners are legally obliged to control the rabbit population on their land to prevent damage to neighbouring properties. Failure to comply can lead to penalties, so effective rabbit control is not only necessary to protect your property but also a legal responsibility.

Identifying Rabbit Damage

Signs of rabbit infestations include:

• Holes and Burrows: Rabbits dig burrow systems known as warrens, which can undermine the structural integrity of lawns and fields.
• Damaged Plants: Rabbits eat a wide variety of vegetation, from garden plants to agricultural crops. In winter, they may strip bark from trees.
• Trails and Droppings: Rabbits leave well-worn trails and droppings, which they use to mark territory.

Preparation Before Rabbit Treatment

To maximise the effectiveness of our rabbit control services, please take the following steps:

1. Clear Vegetation: Remove tall grass, shrubs, or other vegetation around rabbit holes so they’re easier to locate.
2. Mark Burrows: Use bamboo canes or other markers to identify the location of rabbit holes for the technician.

Aftercare Following Rabbit Treatment

After the treatment is complete, follow these guidelines to maintain control over the rabbit population:

• Vegetation Management: Keep the grass and other vegetation short around rabbit holes to prevent rabbits from finding cover.
• Fencing: Consider installing rabbit-proof fencing to enclose and protect areas of your garden or property.
• Gassing Treatment: After gassing treatment, avoid disturbing the burrows for at least 24 hours. Ensure pets, especially dogs, are kept away from treated areas for this period.

How Our Rabbit Control Treatment Works

At PEST-SHIELD, we offer several effective rabbit control methods tailored to the specific needs of your property.

1. Gassing: This method involves placing aluminium phosphide pellets into the burrows. When they react with moisture in the soil, they release phosphine gas, which is lethal to rabbits. Gassing is most effective in the winter months when rabbits are more likely to use their burrows. It is unsuitable for dry conditions and less effective in the spring and summer when rabbits spend more time above ground.
2. Trapping: Live catch cage traps are an effective alternative to gassing, particularly in the summer months. However, traps must be checked daily as per legal requirements. Once a rabbit is caught, our technician will return to remove it. Trapping is often used when rabbits use a garden or field for feeding but do not live there permanently.
3. Shooting: In rural or less populated areas, shooting may be an option. This method is typically carried out at dusk or early in the morning when rabbits are most active.

Facts About Rabbits

• Lifespan: Wild rabbits live up to 9 years. They are smaller than hares, with shorter ears, and weigh between 1.2 and 2kg.
• Habitat: Rabbits live in various environments, including meadows, woodland edges, agricultural land, and even sand dunes.
• Diet: Rabbits feed on a wide range of plants, including crops, grasses, and tree bark in the winter. They also re-ingest their faeces to extract additional nutrients.
• Burrows: Rabbits live in burrows called warrens, which consist of a network of tunnels 1 to 2 metres long. Their nests are lined with grass and fur.
• Rapid Reproduction: Rabbits breed year-round, with litters of 3 to 12 kittens. They can become sexually mature as early as 4 months old, allowing for rapid population growth.
• Control Measures: Complete rabbit eradication is virtually impossible due to their rapid breeding. Fencing combined with population control within the fenced area is often the most practical approach.
• Myxomatosis: Introduced in the 1950s to control rabbit populations, the myxomatosis virus had a significant impact, but rabbits have since developed some immunity, leading to a population increase in recent years.

By employing the right rabbit control strategy, PEST-SHIELD can help you manage and reduce the damage caused by these persistent pests.