Controlling pests on your land

RLPB rangers can provide more detailed advice to help you control pests on your land. Remember, you are required under legislation to control these pests and your local RLPB can best advise you on how to do this.

Purchasing baits

Your local RLPB will be able to advise you on purchasing baits such as meat, carrots, grain, pellets, depending on your needs. RLPBs sell baits to ratepayers on a cost recovery basis.

Joining a group control program

It is recognised that coordinated group control programs are the most effective method of controlling pest animals across the landscape.

Each year RLPB rangers coordinate hundreds of group programs using a variety of control methods. Landholders are encouraged to participate through newsletters, field days and other promotions.

To find out more about group control programs in your area contact your local Board.

Rabbits

Control methods

• Baiting rabbits with 1080 and pindone poisoned carrot can quickly and effectively reduce numbers.
• Biological controls such as myxomatosis and Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease (RHD) are useful aids to rabbit control. They should be capitalised upon by cleaning up residual populations and destroying rabbit harbour.
• Fumigation can be an inexpensive and reasonably effective form of control.
• Ripping of rabbit warrens is an essential follow up to the control methods listed here. It further discourages any rabbit from taking up residence at that site.
• Explosives can be used in ‘difficult to get at’ areas for warren destruction.
• Poisons and fumigants can be purchased and equipment associated with rabbit control can be hired from your local RLPB for a nominal fee.

Feral pigs

What is a feral pig?

Feral pigs cause significant economic losses to agriculture by damaging crops, pastures, water holes, fencing and by killing lambs and sheep. The term feral pig is applied to:

• any pig born in the wild
• any pig running in the wild
• any pig that has at any time run in the wild.

Control methods

The use of 1080 is an effective method of feral pig control. The Ranger at your local RLPB can prepare approved baits such as fruit, pellets and grain.

Trapping is also an effective method of control. Traps may be available for sale or hire from your local Board.

Fines for transporting or releasing feral pigs

Strict laws are in place to stop people from transporting and releasing live feral pigs. These fines include:

• up to $22,000 for transporting live feral pigs
• up to $5,500 for liberating feral pigs (or any pest animal)
• up to $2,200 for having a live feral pig (or any live pest animal) in your possession.

Authorised officers continually monitor this illegal practice.

Wild dogs

What is a wild dog?

A wild dog is any dog that can be classed as the one of the following:

• dingo
• half-breed dingo
• domestic dog that has gone wild.

Control options

Wild dogs generally operate in a small group, but rarely as a pack. They can be extremely cunning which can complicate control.

Wild dogs may kill out of instinct and not solely for the need to eat for survival. Poisoning with 1080 preparations, trapping and shooting are effective control tools particularly when they are part of an integrated control approach.

Locusts

Obligation of landholders to report activity

Serious infestations of plague locusts cause significant economic loss to affected landholders. Under the Rural Lands Protection Act 1998 landholders have an obligation to report any plague locust activity to their local RLPB. Landholders also have an obligation to eradicate locusts on their property.

Control methods

The local Board Ranger can advise on control/eradication methods available and provide insecticide free of charge where pest insects are in significant abundance to effectively carry out their control.

Due to the banding nature of the plague locust, a small amount of insecticide can control a large number of locusts over a relatively small area.

However, it is vital that ground-control activities are carried out at the optimum time (approximately 10-15 days after hatching) not only to save time and reduce the need for a second spray for later hatching locusts, but to reduce the risk of residue concerns associated with the chemical application.

It is also vital that the situation is monitored closely prior to and following any control activities.

Current plague locust situation

More information about the current action plan for controlling plague locusts in NSW.

Foxes and other nuisance animals

In NSW there is currently no obligation for landholders to control species classed as nuisance animals; however, the impact of foxes on agricultural production can be dramatically reduced through implementing simple control measures and cooperative management programs.

Control methods

• conducting an individual property baiting program
• coordinating a group baiting program
• implementing a shooting program
• maintaining strict shepherding practices
• integrating existing control methods.

Read more about trial in northern NSW to have foxes declared as pests.

Other nuisance pest animals and insects

Depending where you live, RLPBs can provide advice and assistance in relation to mice, wingless grasshoppers, pest birds and other nuisance animals.