City of Greater Geraldton to gear up for rabbit control baiting, warning residents with pets to be wary

The City of Greater Geraldton is ramping up its annual integrated rabbit control program, with baiting to begin in several areas. Pindone baiting is scheduled to start on Monday, March 23 and finish on Tuesday, April 14. Pindone is a common poison used to control rabbit populations in semi-rural and rural areas. The locations included in this year’s program include Muir Park Arboretum, Strathalbyn, the Community Nursery and adjacent city reserve, Waggrakine, Chapman River Regional Park and the western side of the Macedonian Club in Glenfield. The city noted although pindone baiting would start soon, the pre-feeding phase and distribution of clean oats had already begun. It said oats treated with pindone would be laid at night in shallow furrows when rabbits were most active. This approach would minimise the risks to non-targeted species and maximise uptake by rabbits, the city said. To ensure residents are aware of the baiting, signs will be installed throughout the targeted areas, and residents are reminded to be wary on their pets’ behalf during the treatment period. “To achieve the greatest reduction in rabbit numbers, community members are encouraged to undertake their own rabbit control activities at the same time as this program,” the city said. “Adjacent landholders are asked to bury or dispose of any rabbit carcasses found on their properties to reduce the risk to non-target species that may consume dead rabbits.” Further information about rabbit control and the integrated rabbit control program can be found on the city of Greater Geraldton’s website.