Rabbit Control

Rabbits can spread Myxomatosis and Rabbit Viral Haemorrhagic (VHD) diseases, seriously damage cereals and crops causing economic loss to farmers and growers. They can also damage grasslands such as golf courses, cricket pitches, kill plants, shrubs and trees.

Management and Control of Rabbit Populations

General Information About Rabbits

Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

Rabbits are originally from north-west Africa and Iberia; the rabbit is now found throughout most of western Europe.

Introduced to Britain by the Normans in the twelfth century, rabbits are now widespread in habitats that provide suitable vegetation for grazing and well-drained ground for burrowing, or another suitable harbourage. Rabbits belong to the order Lagomorpha and are not rodents as many believe. Rabbits are most easily distinguished from rodents through the presence of a small second pair of upper incisors behind the large, chisel-shaped first pair. The incisors grow continuously. Rabbits live communally in a system of burrows known as a warren. Rabbits will also live under sheds, amongst rubble and in piles of dead tree roots and branches.

Rabbits indulge in an unusual nutritional strategy known as “refection”. During the day, very soft feacal pellets are produced and eaten, thereby passing most food through the alimentary canal twice before the final, far more fibrous pellets are excreted.

Rabbit Recognition

A fully grown rabbit is up to 40cm long (head to body). Weight at birth is 30 – 35g and at weaning, at about 3 weeks rabbits will weigh about 150g. When fully adult, Rabbits will weigh 1.2 – 2.0kg. Heavily pregnant female rabbits may weigh up to 2.2kg. Adult rabbits will eat some 0.5kg of green food a day. There is some variation in the Rabbit colour throughout Britain, with colours ranging from light sandy to dark grey and even black.

Rabbits and Their Impact to Humans

Rabbits and Their Impact on Humans

Myxomatosis – is caused by a virus which is spread from Rabbit to Rabbit by blood-sucking insects, particularly the Rabbit Flea. It can spread from wild to domestic Rabbits, but it does not affect any other animals, such as Hares, Cats, Dogs, or humans. The disease was once invariably fatal, however, Rabbits are now showing widespread ability to recover from infection.

VHD – A more recently introduced disease, Rabbit Viral Haemorrhagic Disease (VHD), has recently been recorded in the UK and established itself during the 1980s and 1990s. Infected Rabbits die within two to three days.

Whilst this disease was initially thought to represent a similar threat to wild rabbits as Myxomatosis did in the 1950s, it has now been found that UK Rabbits have some immunity to the disease. Local outbreaks can occur, but the disease does not appear to have the same effect on populations in the United Kingdom as it does in mainland Europe or Australasia.

The rabbit damage on land and plants can result from both feeding and digging activities. The impact can be detrimental in specific contexts. In some regions rabbit populations can become invasive, leading to overgrazing and severe habitat

Signs of Rabbit Presence

Signs of Rabbit Activity

Rabbits leave many signs of their presence in an area. These include:

Burrows – interconnecting to form a warren.

Scrapes – small excavations, usually with one or two droppings among the excavated soil.

Runs – pathways where the repeated passage of rabbits has suppressed the vegetation.

Fur – rabbit fur either caught on fencing or thorns, or torn out during fighting.

Droppings – spherical pellets 7 – 10 mm in diameter composed largely of undigested plant remains.

Latrines – heaps of large numbers of rabbit droppings.

Feeding signs – grazing of vegetation and barking of shrubs and trees.

Live and dead rabbits – clearly the presence of live and dead rabbits will indicate not only the presence of rabbit activity, but also will give some ideas to the size and extent of the rabbit activity.

Rabbit Control and Prevention of Damage

Control of Rabbit Populations and Prevention of Damage

There are several methods available to control Rabbits. These include:

Gassing
Trapping
Shooting
Ferreting
Snaring
Fencing

Have you seen Rabbits in your garden? Call 01424 255 882 for help.

Areas We Cover

We are proud to serve a wide range of locations across Sussex and Kent, covering bustling towns, charming villages, and picturesque coastal areas. Whether you’re based in a vibrant city, a peaceful countryside retreat, or a scenic seaside town, we are here to provide our services to you.

Our coverage includes major towns such as Brighton, Eastbourne, Tunbridge Wells, and Hastings, as well as many surrounding villages and rural communities. We understand the unique character of each area and strive to offer reliable, high-quality services tailored to the needs of our local clients.

Below is a breakdown of the key regions we operate in:

Hastings
St. Leonards on Sea
Bexhill On Sea
Battle
Westfield
Crowborough
Whatlington

Cost of Pest Control

The cost of pest control services is a common concern for many homeowners and business owners seeking professional assistance to eliminate pests from their properties. Several factors influence the pricing of pest control, making it difficult to provide an accurate quote online.

How much does pest control cost?

Here are the key factors that contribute to the overall cost of treating a pest infestation:

Size of infestation – The extent and severity of the pest infestation affect the service cost. For instance, treating a large, established bed bug infestation will take more time and resources, resulting in a higher price compared to a small, contained issue that can be resolved quickly.

Type of pest – The specific type of pest infesting your property also impacts the pricing. The cost of eliminating cockroaches will differ from the cost of treating a rodent problem, as different solutions and approaches are required for each pest.

Type of treatment – The treatment method needed for pest elimination correlates with the overall service cost. For example, using insecticide sprays to control moths is different from employing heat treatment. The complexity and method of treatment will be reflected in the pricing. Moreover, the costs for preventative pest control are generally different from those for corrective or reactive treatments.

Number of treatments – Some pests may require multiple treatments for effective control, affecting overall pricing. For example, treating a wasp nest typically costs less than a rat treatment, as eliminating a rat infestation usually necessitates several visits from our professional pest controllers to ensure the pest is completely removed.

Size of property – The dimensions of the property are also a factor in determining pest control costs. Larger properties require more time and effort to effectively treat pest problems, which will influence the overall treatment cost to remove pests.

The size of the property plays a part in the cost of a pest control service. The larger the property the more time is required to successfully treat a pest problem. This will affect the cost of the treatment required to remove the pest.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the signs of a rodent infestation?

Signs of a rodent infestation include damaged or gnawed materials, droppings, and unusual noises, especially at night. Dead or live rodent sightings, runs or tracks.

Do you know if I need a rodent control service?

Controlling rodents is essential for any business, particularly those in food processing, hospitality, and healthcare. The presence of rodents can pose severe health risks and legal implications.

Will I need regular rodent control services?

Regular rodent control is essential, depending on your location, environmental risks, and the type of your business. GSG Pest Control provide tailored pest control solutions and advise you on necessary service schedules based on thorough assessments to keep you legally compliant.

Are rodenticides safe for my customers and staff?

Absolutely! GSG Pest Control uses non-toxic methods and products to control rodents that are safe for both pets and humans while ensuring effective rodent control.

How can I prevent rodents from entering my building?

Enforce good housekeeping practices, seal potential entry points, maintain the integrity of the building maintenance, and manage waste responsibly to keep rodents away. GSG Pest Control provides pest proofing and monitoring solutions to further protect your property.