Rabbits
Feral rabbit populations are increasing on the North Shore and cause major environmental damage, including the destruction of native vegetation, sports fields, reserves and gardens.
According to Local Land Services, feral rabbits cost Australia over $200 million in damage each year.
Notice of Pindone baiting
Greater Sydney Local Land Services in conjunction with Ku-ring-gai Council will be undertaking a targeted wild rabbit baiting program aimed at reducing rabbit numbers and their impacts on public assets, private gardens and native wildlife. The program is a strategic and coordinated control campaign which will be carried out during November 2024.
The program uses diced carrot laced with Pindone as the bait. Free feeding using non-baited carrots will be undertaken before the program starts, to familiarize rabbits with the proposed baiting locations.
The program will be conducted in the following parks and reserves:
Kent Playing Field, Turramurra - baiting program suspended
In preparation for implementing a rabbit baiting program at Kent Playing Field, Council has conducted pre-baiting camera monitoring to identify any potential impacts on native wildlife.
The results of the monitoring have shown very high rabbit activity, but also a high number of possums and brush turkeys feeding on non-baited carrots placed in preparation for the baiting program.
As a result the baiting program at this location has been suspended.
Cage trapping will be used until a decision is made by Greater Sydney Local Land Services on whether to proceed with the release of the RHVD (calicivirus) as a biological control method. This is scheduled to take place in February 2025.
Greater Sydney Local Land Services is the NSW government agency responsible for decisions on feral animal control programs.
For more information contact:
Report a rabbit sighting
You can help us monitor the movements of rabbits by reporting sightings online.
Rabbit control FAQs
Control options for private properties
In terms of keeping rabbits out of your property, the best option is to undertake fencing and attach rabbit netting to an existing fence around the area requiring protection. Most fencing contractors should be able to undertake these works at a relatively low cost. In addition to fencing, Council recommends that a private pest control company, specialising in vertebrate pest control, is contacted to assist in eradicating rabbits on your land.
Other options include:
- Spraying your plants with a liquid deterrent made from boiled garlic and chilli or spreading blood and bone fertilizer, both techniques will have to be repeated after rain.
- Poisoning with Pindone oat bait:
This is a product that can be used by residents in accordance with the product label. A condition of this product is that it can only be used in properties large than 1000sqm. Properties less than 1000sqm will need to get an off label permit from Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA). This control technique increases the potential to harm non-target native animals like bandicoots, so currently it’s not a method that would be encouraged if you have bandicoots in your yard or you live next to bushland areas (it an offensive to harm native wildlife NSW National Parks and Wildlife Act 1979). Council is happy to provide technical assists for residents who want to use this method. Learn more.
- Rabbit warren fumigation:
This method can only be done by licenced Pest Controllers and involves releasing a poisonous gas into the rabbit warren. It can be done on private land and is not limited to lot size. The problem is that many of the rabbit infestations in Ku-ring-gai are scrub rabbits, meaning that they live in the bush as opposed to warrens.
- Cage trapping and euthanasia:
This method involved using a cage trap to capture rabbits and then they can be taken to an approved vet to be euthanised. Council has traps which can be borrowed and the cost of euthanasia is covered by Council.