Rabbits (oryctolagus cuniculus)
Adult size (approx.): 40cm 150g
Rabbits - Do you have rabbit garden damage, rabbit land damage or rabbit crop damage?
How to get rid of rabbits. Essex & Herts Pest Control employ three trusted methods.
- rabbit night shoots are an extremely effective way to hammer your rabbit population.
- a gassing treatment of all warrens, this is a highly effective method for killing rabbits.
- ferreting rabbit warrens during the winter, a highly effective traditional method.
In extreme cases, we may recommend a combination of treatments.
For peace of mind we offer a 12 month rabbit prevention plan which will reduce and eliminate rabbits throughout the year protecting your land and crops. Our prevention plans can be designed to cover any additional pests.
Habitat
The Rabbit lives communally in a system of burrows known as a warren. They mark their territory by fouling around the perimeter of the warren, normally an area of 150-200m radius. They tend to graze in short grasslands with secure harbourage nearby. Expanding colonies tend to exploit areas of scrub or surface cover more readily than earth banks where cover is not available.
Biology
The Rabbit is generally a nocturnal mammal. The Rabbits breeding season is between January and August. Females born early will start to breed after 3-4 months. The gestation period is approximately 28 days with an average of 5 young per litter. The Female may produce up to 5 litters a year.
Problems caused
Before action is taken, assessment of damage and whether population is likely to increase (which in normal circumstances always will), to see if any action is justifiable. Damage can result in tree bark being destroyed, amenity sites such as bowling greens, cricket pitches and golf courses having poor grasslands and collapsing of burrows in embankments. Damage can also be to crops and cereals for farmers.
