Rabbits Control

Why Should Rabbits be Treated?

Rabbits cause damage to lawns & plants by eating & scratching. They carry fleas and can transmit diseases to domestic rabbits.
In fact landowners are obliged by law to control rabbits n their land. An Order was made under Section One of the Pests Act 1954 by which England and Wales (except for the City of London, the Isles of Scilly and Skokholm Island) were declared a Rabbit Clearance Area. In this area, every occupier of land is responsible for destroying wild rabbits on his/her land or for taking steps to prevent them causing damage. This is a continuing obligation.

Preparation Prior to Treatment

Locating the holes is a time consuming process and may be missed by the technicians especially if covered in vegetation. Vegetation clearance makes locating the holes easier and leaves less cover for the rabbits to hide in. Marking the holes with bamboo canes is a good idea. Just before treatment making a noise or letting a dog loose will encourage rabbits to go into the burrows before gassing starts.

Treatment

Gassing is the only cost effective method of control that shows immediate results. Shooting, snaring, trapping and ferreting are in most cases good for recreational purposes only. The rabbit warren will be gassed by putting fumigation tablets of *Talunex made from PHOSTOXIN which contains the active ingredient ALUMINIUM PHOSPHIDE in the form of (56%w/w). The MAFF No. for this product is 01775. This treatment is most effective in the Winter months when the earth is damper (*Phostoxin needs moisture to release Aluminium Phosphide gas that kills the rabbits), and there is less vegetation for them to hide in. In the late Spring, Summer and early Autumn rabbits will often not use the warrens at all but lay up on the surface concealed in bushes etc. The treatment is guaranteed to reduce the rabbit population although by how much and for how long cannot be guaranteed. As a guide the population is usually decreased by between 50% & 70% depending on individual circumstances.
The movement of rabbits from one area to another is easier during these periods so warrens treated at this time are liable to reoccupation fairly quickly although much depends on individual circumstances.

What do I do afterwards?

Aluminium Phosphide (Talunex) is a deadly poison so the warrens should not be disturbed for at least 24 hours after treatment. Dogs and other animals should be kept away. Keep vegetation short to reduce cover.