printStock Journal Technical Column: June 2026
Author: Josh Rosser, Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board
Despite the success of biological controls such as myxomatosis and rabbit haemorrhagic disease (calicivirus or RHDV), rabbits remain Australia’s most widespread and destructive pest animal, costing industries more than $200 million each year.
Under the Landscape South Australia Act 2019, landholders are legally required to control rabbits on their properties. However, effective control is often delayed or avoided due to lack knowledge about available control options, reliance on biological control, concerns about reinfestation, or the belief that rabbits are only coming from neighbouring properties.
The reality is there is no single solution to rabbit control.
Effective rabbit management requires an integrated and coordinated approach using a combination of available control methods. A successful rabbit control program should include baiting, warren ripping and fumigation where appropriate, along with the removal of rabbit harbour such as rubbish piles, burn piles and dense vegetation.
While none of these methods alone will completely eliminate rabbits, using them together can dramatically reduce populations and minimise long-term impacts.
The key to controlling rabbits is understanding their biology and behaviour. Rabbits can breed from 3-4 months of age, with females capable of producing multiple litters each year under favourable conditions.
This means rabbit control is not about how many rabbits are removed – it’s about how many are left behind to breed and repopulate.
This is why relying solely on biological controls is rarely effective long-term. RHDV K5 virus, the current commonly released biological control, can reduce rabbit populations by approximately 40 per cent, but rabbits can develop resistance over time. Biological controls are designed to suppress populations, not eradicate them, meaning other control methods are essential.
Baiting programs remain one of the cheapest and most efficient control options available, capable of removing large numbers of rabbits quickly. There are different baiting options available, so landholders should discuss the most suitable approach with their local Landscape Board.
The bait 1080 is the most cost-effective option and, because the toxin occurs naturally in some Australian native plants, many native animals have developed some level of resistance. Pindone is also available and may be better suited to smaller properties or areas where domestic dogs are present.
Long-term rabbit control relies heavily on destroying warrens and removing harbour.
Warren ripping remains the most effective long-term control method because it removes breeding and shelter sites. Without harbour, rabbits are more exposed to predators and harsh weather conditions, placing additional pressure on surviving populations.
A seasonal approach can help improve control outcomes:
Spring – planning
- Develop a rabbit control program tailored to your property.
- Identify suitable control methods for different areas.
Rabbit numbers are often highest during spring, and damage to crops and vegetation becomes more visible. While some rabbits may be affected by RHDV or Myxomatosis, these viruses should not be relied on as standalone control methods.
Summer/early autumn – action
- Undertake baiting programs when feed availability is lowest.
- Follow baiting with cross-ripping of warrens as soon as practical.
- Rip warrens to a minimum depth of 900 mm and extend ripping 3-4 metres beyond the last known entrance to the warren.
Winter - follow up
- Remove debris, wood piles and other material that may provide shelter.
- Destroy exposed warrens and use fumigation where warrens are inaccessible.
- Re-check warrens and re-rip or fumigate if required.
Rabbit control requires persistence. There is no quick fix, and long-term success depends on planning, follow-up work, and ongoing commitment.
For more information or assistance with developing a rabbit control plan, contact your local Landscape Board.