The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Growing => Vegetables => Topic started by: tomandbarbara on September 11, 2009, 11:43:27 am
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Hello,
Does anyone know if rabbits are classed as vermin or not?
We are having a huge porblem with rabbits running arounf the allotment and the council refuse to deal with them.
They say that they are not vermin and therefore are not required to do anything.
We also not allowed to trap, snare, shoot or poisen. Then what can we do other than spend large amounts of money on netting.
Thoughts please.
P.S i am not an advocate of killing animals but these rabbits are taking the mikey.
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A few months ago we had problems with Fox taking my ducks/hens and geese. We invested in a machine called "Fox Watch", since we installed these we have had no further losses so we swear by these machines. I know you can get them that also keep dogs/cats off your land so perhaps there is a similair machine for rabbits???? Try "googling", you never know. I know the fox watch ones don't keep rabbits away as we still have lots of the buggers on our land. Has to be worth a try. You should know the Council wouldn't be interested.
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I don't understand about rabbits not being vermin. Farmers seem to be allowed to shoot / snare them gas them or whatever.
Round here the farmers 'lamp' them. Drive around with a big spotlight on the front of a landrover to shock the rabbits into staying still and then shoot them.
I'm not sure what we're going to do once we have finished fencing - but we will have to clear the area inside the fence of rabbits. The local ferret group might be able to help - although I feel a bit uncomfortable about that - OH is suggesting gasing - I am squeamish about that too but shooting is a bit hit and miss (excuse the pun)
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Hi,
Rabbits ARE classed as vermin - I think your council's just being lazy ;)
Oatridge college in Broxburn run a vermin control course, dealing with moles and rabbits. Get back onto your council and hassle them no end or suggest THEY pay for you to attend so that you can control the problem :o
Here's the link for the college http://www.oatridge.ac.uk/short_courses/livestock_courses/vermin_control_-_rabbits_and_moles (http://www.oatridge.ac.uk/short_courses/livestock_courses/vermin_control_-_rabbits_and_moles)
Good luck & happy hunting ;)
Karen
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Hello mate I could possibly find someone to deal with your problem for free as long as the land owner allows them to shoot trap and hunt the rabbits the person would be fully insured also if your interested just ask ;) The same applies to anyone else If you have a problem with pests whether they are rabbits foxes or feral pigeons e.tc. atb bedrock