Baiting for wild rabbits
Baits containing 1080 and Pindone are used for wild rabbit control in South Australia. Baiting is an efficient way to control rabbit populations and reduce their impacts on agricultural production and native species.
Careful planning and application of your baiting program will maximise its effects and minimise impacts on non-target animals.
Baiting should be used in conjunction with an integrated control plan using different control methods.
When to bait wild rabbits
Baiting can occur all year round but is best when there is a lack of alternative food resources. In South Australia this occurs more commonly in summer.
Using rabbit baits on your property
Your property must be at least 5 hectares (12 acres) to bait for rabbits using 1080 products.
If your property is less than 5 hectares, you can form a group with neighbours to make up 5 hectares for a coordinated group baiting program. Group baiting programs must be coordinated with an accredited landscape board officer.
Your property must be at least 1000 m2 to bait for rabbits using pindone products.
How to order baits
Contact your Landscape South Australia (LSA) Board for information on how to get, store and use 1080 or Pindone baits on your property.
Landholders and managers must sign an Approval to Possess 1080 and PAPP Bait form when they collect baits.
If you cannot collect baits in person, or if you are not the person who will conduct the baiting on your property, you must nominate an agent and fill out an Approval for Nominated Agent to Collect form (). The agent must bring this completed form with them to collect the baits.
You can buy Pindone baits at local agricultural retailers.
Laying baits
Always follow the directions for use and label for the baiting product and read the safety data sheet when using baits.
Free feeding of the non-toxic product is required to ascertain rabbit numbers and ensure the correct amount of bait is laid out.
1080 bait for rabbits
1080 bait for rabbits
- Label – 1080 for rabbit control ()
- Directions for Use – 1080 for rabbit control ()
- Safety Data Sheet – 1080 for rabbit control ()
Note that 1080 carrot baits are not permitted for use in South Australia.
Pindone rabbit bait
Pindone rabbit bait
1080 rabbit baits must be placed at least:
- 150 m from a dwelling (other than own dwelling) or public building
- 20 m from permanent or flowing water bodies.
Notify your neighbours – 1080 and PAPP poisons baits
You must notify all neighbours at least 72 hours before any poison bait is laid on a property. This includes neighbours separated by a road.
To notify your neighbours, use the baiting foxes and wild dogs neighbour notification letter template ( or ).
All notifications must be recorded on a neighbour notification record sheet ( or ) and kept for 2 years.
Display a sign
When you bait, you must place baiting signs:
- on all property entry points
- at entrances to the actual poison site (Pindone)
- on fences that border public roads
- where baits are laid on roadsides (1080), at each end of the baited section, and on all roads that intersect the baited section at a distance of not more than 400 metres from the intersection.
The signs inform people that it is not safe for domestic animals and livestock.
Signs are provided by your landscape board.
What to do if it rains
Do not lay 1080 baits when it is raining. If rain delays application of treated bait by more than 2 days, lay another free-feed before laying treated bait.
Disposing of untaken baits
Untaken 1080 or pindone baits and baits degraded by rain must be disposed of by either:
- deep burial (below 0.5 metres)
- incineration.
Regardless of rainfall and timelines, always assume 1080 baits are lethal to your dogs and other animals.
