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Rabbits

Rabbits have been around since the 13th century and were probably introduced around the time of the Norman Conquest. In the early days they were prized for their meat and fur, and many estates reared them.

Nowadays rabbits are regarded as pests because of the damage they do to young trees, agricultural crops, grassland, gardens etc.  Also structural damage can be done by tunneling into railway embankments, under electric pylons, flood defences, buildings etc.

Females are able to reproduce within 3-4 months of being born, and can produce 21 offspring per year, although the average is nearer 10 or 11. They can live for up to 7-8 years in the wild but usually only 15-18 months.

Rabbits live mostly in burrows, but can live under garden sheds, junk, compost heaps, dense shrubs etc.

Control

There are numerous ways of controlling rabbits.  These include spring traps, live capture traps, snares, ferreting, gassing and shooting. Gassing should only be carried out by professionals, and shooting is only possible in certain cases.

An alternative is to consider erecting permanent wire rabbit fencing which would proof your property for many years and would be less hazardous than gassing etc.

Your nearest Farm Supplies Shop should be able to help you with most products for rabbit control.

For more information please contact the Council using the online service on the right of this page, or a private pest control contractor.

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