Foxes and rabbits
Foxes and rabbits are both declared as established pest animals in Victoria under the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994. Under the Act, landowners are responsible for the control of foxes and rabbits on their land.
Impacts
Since their introduction to Australia in the 1870s, foxes have become a major threat to Australia’s environment and economy, with a total annual cost estimated at $227 million. Foxes cause significant economic losses by preying on newborn lambs, kid goats and poultry, and cause significant environmental damage by predating on native animals. Foxes can cause nuisance in urban areas by attacking backyard chickens, raiding garbage bins and scavenging for food.
Rabbits also pose considerable environmental and economic impacts. They graze on native vegetation, crops and pastures, and can prevent seedlings from regenerating and reduce crop yields, as well as increase competition for feed with livestock. Rabbits damage native plants and directly compete with native wildlife for food and shelter. Their digging and browsing leads to a loss of vegetation cover, which can result in soil erosion.
What are we doing to control foxes and rabbits?
The Shire controls foxes and rabbits on Shire-managed land as part of our biodiversity conservation programs.
The primary aim of fox control is to protect threatened species that occur in the Shire’s bushland reserves. Some of the threatened species we are working to protect include:
- Southern Brown Bandicoot
- White-footed Dunnart
- Swamp Skink
- Australasian Bittern
Rabbit control focuses on protecting significant flora and habitat by reducing grazing pressure. Programs occur in high-quality remnant bushland reserves across the Peninsula, including areas within the internationally significant Western Port Ramsar site.
The Shire does not provide fox or rabbit control services on private property.
Controlling foxes on your property
Foxes are widespread across urban and rural areas, with as many as 12 foxes per square kilometre. A fox removed from its territory will quickly be replaced with another, so it is often better to eliminate their sources of food and shelter, rather than attempt to remove them.
Actions you can take to deter foxes include:
- lock up chickens, guinea pigs and pet rabbits in a roofed and robust enclosure at night
- clean up food scraps, dog bones, pet food and excess fruit dropped by fruit trees
- cover your compost heap or use a compost bin
- restrict access to underneath your house where foxes like to shelter.
In rural areas, there are a range of other methods that are suitable for controlling foxes. These are explained on the Agriculture Victoria website.
For landholders looking to engage a licensed pest animal controller, the Vertebrate Pest Managers Association Australia website can help you find a licensed controller in your area.
The Shire does not provide fox control services on private property.
Controlling rabbits on your property
Rabbits impact mostly rural areas, though sometimes spread to urban areas causing damage to gardens and buildings. Rabbits reproduce quickly and their numbers can vary greatly depending on available food and shelter. Eliminating or reducing shelter can be one of the more effective means of control.
Actions you can take to reduce rabbits include:
- restrict access under houses and sheds
- reduce shelter by controlling weeds and uplifting thick vegetation
- install rabbit proof fencing to protect garden beds, native vegetation or newly planted trees.
In rural areas, there are a range of other methods that are suitable for controlling rabbits. These are explained on the Agriculture Victoria website.
For landholders looking to engage a licensed pest animal controller, the Vertebrate Pest Managers Association Australia website can help you find a licensed controller in your area.
The Shire does not provide rabbit control services on private property.
Coordinated control across the landscape
Effective fox and rabbit control at a landscape scale relies on landholders working together through coordinated, area‑wide programs. These collaborative approaches are far more successful than isolated control efforts undertaken by individuals at different times.
An integrated pest animal management approach - using a range of control methods applied at appropriate times throughout the year and sustained over the long term - delivers the most effective and lasting outcomes.
Connecting with your local landcare group is a great way to learn about pest animal control, participate in landscape‑scale programs, and benefit from peer‑to‑peer learning.
Further information
Further Information
The following websites have further information on pest animal management: