Rabbits ravaging crops and gardens

Exploding rabbit populations are posing problems for landowners and gardeners.

Grass may not be growing but rabbit populations throughout the region certainly are, pest controllers say.

Nests of the fluffy creatures have not only taken over areas such as Frimley Park, but are posing problems for landowners and gardeners.

Patricia Teunon who lives at Summerset in the Vines said they were known to sweep through residents' crops under the cover of darkness.

"They come from Red Barrell Vineyard and rob our vegetable gardens, it's there for the world to see the leaves they have been nibbling," she said.

"Most people have had something eaten by the rabbits."

Many tried to take matters into their own hands, but rabbits were notoriously difficult to get rid of, All-Clean, Pests Away owner Ross Howell said.

That's why it paid to call on experts who knew how and where to lay bait out of reach from prying dogs and children.

"It's tricky because they would rather eat nice green vegetables than the bait and you can't shoot them in residential areas," he said.

"We put bait stations in so pets can't get at them, it's also about placement when there are kids around."

Usually frosts would kill off some of their food supply, but that wasn't the case last year.

Ace Eradicators owner/operator Phillip Johnson said two mild winters in a row were to blame for the increase in all pests, including insects and rodents.

"It's been a bumper breeding season, conditions have been favourable - it started off in October, that was one of the busiest Octobers I have had."

The business doesn't usually cover rabbits but after receiving multiple queries in the past month alone, Mr Johnson was seriously considering expanding his services.

"There have been three to four phone calls specifically about rabbit issues, in the past I never even had one rabbit inquiry."

Rabbits were a designated regional control pest, however people were responsible for keeping numbers down on their own land.

Under the Regional Pest Management Strategy 2013 to 2018, the aim was to minimise significant adverse effects of rabbits on economic wellbeing and environment, by maintaining rabbit populations at or below Level 4 on the McLean Scale (see table).

The scale is a subjective measure which relies on a visual assessment of rabbit signs.

Councils use it to determine whether control measures are needed.

Tips for guarding your property against rabbits
*Remove logs, piles of stones and small scrubby plants to reduce habitat.
*Refrain from grazing pasture heavily in summer, controlled sheep grazing and increased cattle grazing reduces their environment.
*Protect specific crops with a rabbit-proof netting fence. Mesh size should be 2.5 to 3cm in diameter, and the fence should extend to at least 80cm above ground. It should be pegged down tightly, or buried about 20cm.