Manufacturers & Suppliers of Pest Control Products. Phone: Rabbit Fact Pack

Transcription

1 Manufacturers & Suppliers of Pest Control Products Phone: Website: Rabbit Fact Pack This pack contains important information on rabbit control, as well as a catalogue of products available from Pest Management Services Ltd enabling you to effectively control your Rabbit problem. DEADLY SERIOUS ABOUT PESTS

2 2 RABBIT CONTROL PRODUCTS TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. Introduction... Page 3 2. Poisons... Page Rabbit Bait Station... Page 5 4. Live Capture Trap... Page 6 5. Leg Hold & Kill Traps... Page 6 6. Warning Notice... Page 6 7. Fumigant... Page 7

3 3 1. Introduction A MAF study has confirmed that the vast majority of New Zealand public recognise the problem of feral rabbits - especially the damage caused to the environment and to farm production. They also believe the problem is national in scope. Rabbits are New Zealand's second major vertebrate pest problem after possums. Introduced into New Zealand in the early part of the eighteenth century, rabbits reached plague proportions by the 1880s, seriously affecting the viability of farming in some areas and giving rise to the rabbit-control and fur industries. Methods such as trapping, shooting, poisoning (using phosphorus, strychnine, and arsenic), gassing and rabbit-proof fencing became the main means of control. Rabbit predators, such as stoats, weasels and ferrets were also introduced by the Government in the 1880s. The rabbit problem still remains! The male and female rabbit are similar in appearance with the female having a narrower head. Female rabbits are called does and males are known as bucks. Baby rabbits, known as kittens, are born in specially prepared burrows lined with grass and fur plucked from the mother s belly. They are produced in litters of three to seven, weigh 30 to 40 grams at birth and reach anywhere from 1.4 to 2.5 kgs when fully grown. Sexual maturity is reached at around three to four months of age and under ideal conditions rabbits are capable of breeding all year round, however the main breeding season is from spring to early summer. Up to seven litters can be produced in a year, with a gestation period of 28 to 30 days. Does are able to conceive again within 12 hours of giving birth. Should less than ideal conditions such as overcrowding or poor food availability affect a pregnant female, she is capable of absorbing her embryos up to around mid-term, thus boosting her own reserves. Most wild rabbits live for approximately 18 months with the main causes of mortality being coccidial infection and predation by cats, ferrets, stoats, weasels and hawks. Rabbits live in colonies or warrens with a social hierarchy and where urine and faeces are deposited in communal latrines or mounds. These warrens usually consist of a series of tunnels and burrows, interconnecting with several entrances. Rabbits are also capable of living above ground in either rocky terrain or within dense scrub. As rabbits are nocturnal they spend most of their day underground in the safety of their burrow, before venturing out at twilight to feed for most of the night. Often when rabbits are observed out and about during the day this indicates a high population. The home range of the rabbit is generally two to three hectares; however they will stray further in search of food. 2. Poisons 11PP05: Pindone Liquid Concentrate - 5 Litre Active ingredient: Pindone Liquid contains 34g/litre Pindone as the sodium salt in the form of a concentrate. Toxicity: Poison. Acute oral LD mg/kg rabbits. Pindone Liquid Concentrate is extremely effective for bringing large rabbit populations under control very quickly. The Concentrate can be applied to carrots or oats with most control work being undertaken during the autumn and winter. The risk to non-target species is minimal compared to some other rabbit poisons. Application to bait: Dilute 5 litres of concentrate with 5 litres of water. Apply this 10 litre mix to either 1 tonne of cut carrot or cooked oats. For smaller amounts, apply 1 litre of diluted solution (500ml of concentrate & 500ml of water) to 100 kilograms of either bait. Carrot Bait: If applying to carrot bait, all bait must be screened through a Reliance Screen (or similar) measuring no less than 16-18mm. All chaff (small pieces of carrot) must be removed. Oat Bait: If applying to oat bait, oats must be of a fat white variety and be dressed to remove all seeds and foreign

4 4 matter. Application Rates: No pre-feeding is necessary. Two applications of toxic bait should be applied, approximately 3-4 days apart. For ground application which provides for more accurate bait placement, allow up to 5 kgs per hectare. For aerial application allow between 12 and 18 kgs per hectare, subject to bait uptake and infestation levels. Note: Bait should be dyed green to comply with NZ Standard Specification 10: colour range. Report any non-target incidents immediately to the proprietor. Stock: DO NOT use baits in areas where stock are present. Do not return stock to treated area until four weeks after the laying of baits. This product must be sold only to and/or used by a person holding a controlled substances licence issued by a test certifier who has been approved by the ACVM Group. Registered pursuant to the ACVM Act 1997, No V4468 see for registration conditions. Approved substance under the HSNO Act 1996, HSR see for approval controls. Table of regulations to applications: PRODUCT APPLICATION Licence Required 11PP05 Pindone Liquid Concentrate 5 Litre Aerial CSL 11PP01 Pindone Agtech Rabbit Pellets 2kg Bait station No 11PP02 Pindone Agtech Rabbit Pellets 10kg Bait station No 11PP03 Pindone Agtech Rabbit Pellets 25kg Broadcast CSL 11PP03 Pindone Agtech Rabbit Pellets 25kg Bait station No 11PP04 Pindone Rabbit Pellet RS5 10kg Bait station No 11PP06 Pindone Rabbit Pellet RS5 25kg Broadcast CSL 11PP06 Pindone Rabbit Pellet RS5 25kg Bait station No For Bait Station use only: 11PP01, 11PP02, 11PP03: Pindone Agtech Rabbit Pellets 2kg, 10kg, 25kg 11PP04: Pindone RS5 Rabbit Pellets 10kg Active ingredient: Pindone Pellets contain 0.25 g/kg Pindone Toxicity: Poison. Acute oral LD mg/kg rabbits. Pindone is a first generation anticoagulant poison cereal based pellet designed for the control of rabbits in rural and urban areas. Pindone is a slow acting anticoagulant that needs to be consumed over several days to be effective. The toxin reduces the clotting power of the blood, causing internal haemorrhage. Death occurs 4 to 11 days after bait consumption. While rabbits may be active in the treated area for 4 to 5 days after taking the poison, very few rabbit carcasses will be found. Rabbits will go back to the burrows to die. Bait should always be applied using bait stations. In cases where there is concern about bait being accessible during the day time, use a bait station that can be closed off to stop non target species getting access to the bait. Apply bait at the rates of 2-3kg per ha. Locate all fresh rabbit sign and apply the pellets twice at 3 to 4 day intervals in all areas where the rabbits graze or feed. It is important to have sufficient bait for two days feeding by all rabbits in the area. Leave for 2 days then repeat the application. Check for further sign after 9 to 14 days and if rabbit sign is still seen - repeat. Precautionary Measures - Withholding period: Stock 4 weeks. Note: If stock accidentally gain access to bait, remove them immediately to an untreated area. Keep in the clear area for at least 3 weeks.

5 5 **Risks to Livestock and Domestic Pets Pindone is less hazardous than other commonly used poisons but care is still necessary to prevent accidental poisoning of livestock and domestic pets. All stock must be removed from the area where the pellets are being applied. Primary poisoning is when an animal feeds on the pellets. Dogs must be restrained when in the area where the pellets are laid as some dogs will eat the pellets. Secondary poisoning is when animals feed on poisoned carcasses. The risk of secondary poisoning to dogs is low as a dog would have to eat a number of the stomach contents of rabbit carcasses. As rabbits will go back to their burrows to die, there is not likely to be a risk of secondary poisoning. For Broadcast Use: 11PP03: Pindone Agtech Rabbit Pellets 25kg 11PP06: Pindone Rabbit Pellet RS5 25kg **If Pindone is to be applied by broadcast method, a CSL license is required to purchase and use the above. The recommended application rate is 2-3 kgs per hectare per feed however higher rates will be required when rabbit numbers are high. See table on page 4 for regulations and applications. Table showing Chronic Toxicity LD 50 of Pindone: LD 50 Mg/kg Animal Weight Mg Pindone of kill 50 % Pellets To kill Rabbits kg Wallabies kg Birds of prey 2.0 Dogs kg Cats kg Sheep kg Cattle kg Humans 50.0 NOTE: Dosing was carried out over a number of days. 3. Rabbit Bait Station 11RBS11: NOPESTS Multifeeder Bait Station A safe and efficient poison bait dispenser that can hold approx. 2.5kg of bait. The bait station is a cylindrical polythene tube sealed at each end with opening and closing feeding and filling ports along one side. A rotating and sliding adjustable outer sleeve opens and closes the station by aligning or misaligning the portholes - this also makes adjustment of the hole sizes possible. A sheet of iron or plywood weighted on top would provide an enticing and comfortable feeding area and gives extra weather protection while also eliminating stock access. They are easy and safe to transport and can be filled/refilled on site. The dry weatherproof canister construction is sealed, protecting the bait from decay or waste due to exposure to the elements. Spillage and poison waste is eliminated due to design as is risk to non-target species. Ideally suited for rabbits, but can also be used for possums and rodents. They are ideally suited for use on lifestyle blocks, green belt areas, orchards and market gardens, vineyards, golf courses, parks and reserves and private gardens. Two of the main advantages of this bait station is that it can be placed in areas where fresh rabbit sign is present, secured to the ground by a couple of pieces of No.8 wire at each end or a sheet of iron placed on top. Also, once children are indoors and dogs are kenneled, the station(s) can be opened up for pest access to the pellets and closed off again to suit. The bait station portholes are closed shut by rotating the external sleeve. Tight to open therefore added safety around children. 11RBS12: Philproof Rabbit Bait Station This is a heavy duty plastic bait station comprising of a removable base for refilling, with a capacity to hold 1500gms of Pindone Pellets. The entrance is enlarged to allow the rabbit easy

6 6 access to bait and comes with a nail and spacer for mounting if applicable. On farmland, rabbit sign is concentrated along fence lines, so fence posts make convenient objects to attach bait stations to about metres apart and attach to the post with the base of the station mm above ground level. 4. Live Capture Trap 14TR32: Non Collapsible Cage Trap - Treadle A live capture non-collapsible cage trap with a treadle plate mechanism in the base. Place bait to entice the animal to walk over the treadle plate on its way to the bait. Place traps near areas that rabbits have been observed feeding or along runways commonly used by them. Bait trap with fresh vegetables such as cabbage, carrots or loose lettuce. Place several small pieces of bait on the outside of the trap to get the rabbits to come in close. Cover the trap with a sack to camouflage. Measures: L 720mm x W 310mm x H 310mm. 14TR33: Non Collapsible Cage Trap (Treadle) A non-collapsible live animal capture cage trap ideal for small mammals such as cats/possums and similar size nuisance animals, designed for and used by professional trappers, made from sturdy rust-resistant wire mesh with steel reinforcements for long life and galvanized for maximum resistance to rust and corrosion. Dimensions: 812mm x 304mm x 254mm, weighs 5.4kgs. 5. Leg Hold & Kill Traps The following traps can be either set on regular rabbit runways or placed into hollows made in the ground. When placing these traps in hollows, they need to be covered with fine soil, making sure they still have room to function in the holes. The jaws should almost touch the top of the hole when sprung. Failure to do this can result in rabbits going over the top without getting caught or being foul caught. 14TR06: Sleepy Creek Setting Tool sold as a pair 14TR08: Sleepy Creek #1 (Regular) 14TR09: Sleepy Creek #1 (Double) Come with a twin-loop chain with a swivel point mounted to a frame comprising of two coils made of 11 gauge springwire. Both the pan and the frame feature one piece construction with no welds. The jaws are non-serrated with a spread of 4 / 10cm. Total weight of one of these traps is 14 ounces / 396gm. The double jaw trap is the same as the regular jaw, except that each jaw has a slot pressed out of it, meaning less injury to the animal - great for fur hunters. These traps are exceedingly sturdy and have the speed and power to operate effectively in a dirt hole set. Ideal for possums, rabbits and the smaller predator. 14TR10: Victor #1 Trap A popular seller for the trapping of rabbit, ferret, possum, stoats and weasels. It is a small, light to carry, leg-hold spring trap with non-serrated jaws. A jaw spread of 4 inches / 10cm. 14TR38: Nopest MK6 Trap The user needs to be strong in the hands to use this trap. Traps do not need to be baited.

7 7 6. Warning Notice 17N11: Pindone Non Rip Pellet Notice We strongly recommend that when you are using Pindone Rabbit Pellets that you post warning notices at all access ways. They are made from non rip paper, are A4 size, and read DANGER POISON Pindone Pellet Bait. Do not touch or remove. Keep all pets away. There is also a space for the date to be inserted. 17N15: Pindone Carrot Non Rip Notice 7. Fumigant 22F02 / 22F03: Magtoxin Pellets - 100gm & 1kg A fumigant for treating rabbit burrows. Magtoxin reacts with moisture in the air and the soil. When placed down into burrows, it produces a heavier than air gas that travels to the end of burrow causing death by absorption through the lungs. Fumigation is a labour intensive control method and is best used in conjunction with a follow up method after poisoning. There is no licence required to use Magtoxin if 3 kgs or less is ordered. However, a Controlled Substances Licence is required when greater volumes are purchased. Equipment needed: fumigant, spade or grubber, protective clothing (overalls, rubber gloves), a respirator may be required when using some fumigants. How to Fumigate a Rabbit Burrow: Fumigation can be used to control rabbits in two ways: firstly to kill rabbits that are seen to run down a particular burrow; or block fumigation i.e. the fumigation of burrows that are encountered while systematically searching paddocks. When carrying out block fumigation, it is a good idea to use a dog to hunt the area first. This helps drive rabbits into cover underground. It is essential that the dog is under good control and is restrained before you start fumigating. If you are dealing with only occasional rabbit burrows, check the surrounding area for other possible entrances once a burrow is discovered. Burrows often have more than one opening. Next, using the spade or grubber, cut back the opening of the burrow so you have easy access to the burrow. Then cut a sod of earth the appropriate size to completely block the entrance and place it within reach of the entrance. As you prepare to apply the fumigant to the burrow, ensure that you are positioned so that any escaping fumes are blown away from you by the wind, rather than toward you. Take the correct amount of fumigant from the container and immediately close the container. Place the fumigant at least cm into the burrow. Immediately seal the burrow by placing the sod of earth grass side down (this prevents loose soil from falling onto the fumigant and burying it) into the entrance and stamping it in to make the burrow as air tight as possible. Then backfill the entrance area of the burrow and try to level the ground off to remove as much of the entrance as possible. Systematically fumigate all burrow entrances found. If you are using Magtoxin in very dry conditions, it is advisable to place it in the burrow on top of a piece of damp paper or cloth. This will speed the generation of phosphine gas. If a burrow is discovered that is obviously not in use (cobwebs in the entrance are good indicators of this) there is no point in applying fumigant. However, ensure you properly block these burrows to prevent rabbits from using them in the future. Precautions: Check wind is at the right angle to you when you put the fumigant into the burrow.

8 8 Ensure that the burrow is completely blocked off at the other end. When handling the tablets wear protective clothing including gloves. Always open flasks outside and only open the container for immediate use. Protect from moisture, open flames or heat and keep away from water. Do not breathe in dust or fumes. Do not eat, drink or smoke while using and wash hands thoroughly before meals and after work. Rinse, crush and bury the empty container. Ensure that your clothes are not contaminated in any way. Ensure that the fumigant is not carried in a closed vehicle. File: Rabbit Fact Pack: Revised January 2012