We carry out most of our Rabbit Control requirements with Live Catch traps or Long/Purse Nets. We use long nets where a warren is located in a hedge row or bank and purse nets where a warren is located in open ground.
Most of the warrens are in hedge rows or bramble patches in the West Country.
The idea of the nets is to catch any rabbits that have been chased/bolted from a warren, we use Polecats to do the chasing.
We use Live Catch traps in areas where we cannot set nets which allows us to release any non-target species.
There are times when the use of a spring trap is needed and for this we will use a Body Grip or Fenn trap.
Oryctolagus Cuniculus - European Rabbit.
Introduced into the UK in the 11th century from North Africa.
There is a dominant Buck and Doe within the warren.
They weigh between 1 and 2.5 kilos.
They get most water from their food.
They can live in the wild 1 to 3 years.
Estimated 40 to 45 million population.
Gestation is 28 to 31 days.
Average of 5 kits per litter.
Can breed after 3.5 months.
They breed every 4 to 6 weeks.
They come into season and mate immediately after giving birth.
They give birth away from the warren in a short blank tunnel.