How to Get Rid of Rabbits — Legal Methods, Professional Control and Proofing

Your Legal Obligation to Control Rabbits in England and Wales

England and Wales are designated rabbit clearance areas under the Pests Act 1954. Occupiers of agricultural land — including farmers, smallholders, and rural landowners — carry a statutory duty to prevent rabbits causing damage to neighbouring agricultural land. This is a duty to prevent spread and damage to neighbours, not an obligation to eradicate every rabbit on your own land. Local authorities can serve notice requiring action where an occupier has failed to meet this obligation.

The Pests Act 1954 duty applies specifically to agricultural land. Domestic gardens and non-agricultural properties are not directly covered, although occupiers of any land retain rights to control rabbits under the Ground Game Act 1880 (see UK law section below).

The European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) was introduced to Britain by the Normans in approximately the 12th century. It is now the UK's most economically significant mammal pest in agricultural settings, and one of very few species for which UK landowners carry a legal duty of management.

How to Recognise a Rabbit Infestation

Rabbits are colonial and burrow-dwelling. The warren is the focal point of all activity — identifying warren signs correctly is the starting point for any control programme. The brown hare (Lepus europaeus) is sometimes confused with the rabbit but does not burrow. Any underground network with multiple entrances is a rabbit warren, not a hare form.

Warren Entrances and Burrow Signs

Rabbit burrow entrances are typically 100–150 mm in diameter, with excavated soil spread in a fan pattern at the entrance. Active warrens show worn, compacted earth and fresh spoil; inactive holes accumulate leaf debris and cobwebs. Established warrens can contain dozens of interconnected tunnels and multiple entrances across a bank, hedgerow, or open ground. Warren entrance count is the most reliable initial indicator of population size and underground network complexity.

Feeding and Grazing Damage

Rabbits graze within approximately 100 metres of the warren and rarely venture further, making the warren the logical focus of any control effort. Grazing is taken to ground level, producing a characteristic close-cropped ring of grass around active warrens. Vegetable seedlings and arable crop emergence plants are eaten at ground level; young tree bark is gnawed to a height of approximately 50 cm — leaving smooth, oblique tooth marks distinct from deer browsing damage, which occurs higher up the stem.

Droppings and Footprints

Rabbit droppings are spherical, 5–8 mm in diameter, dark in colour, and deposited in latrine areas near warrens or scattered along runs. Fresh droppings are moist; older ones dry and crumble. Footprints show small rounded forefeet and long narrow hind prints. On soft ground, a set of four prints — hind feet ahead of forefeet — is the characteristic galloping pattern used to identify active runs for trap or snare placement.

How Quickly Rabbits Breed — and Why That Matters for Control

The European rabbit's reproductive rate is the primary reason why ad hoc control methods fail. The breeding season runs from January to August, with peak productivity from February to May. Does produce four to five litters per year, with three to eight young (kittens) per litter. Gestation is 28–31 days. Young reach sexual maturity at just three to four months — meaning animals born early in the season can breed before that season ends.

Under good conditions, a single doe can produce up to 40 young per year. A 70–80% population reduction must typically be sustained annually to achieve ongoing rabbit population management.

— BPCA Technical Guidance; GWCT

This reproductive capacity explains why one-off interventions rarely resolve an established rabbit problem. Blocking individual warren entrances or applying repellents displaces the colony rather than reducing it — the population typically re-establishes at previous levels within one to two seasons unless ongoing control is combined with habitat modification and, for high-value areas, physical exclusion fencing.

UK wild rabbit populations have been affected by two major disease events: myxomatosis (introduced deliberately in 1953, still endemic) and RVHD2 (rabbit viral haemorrhagic disease type 2, established from 2018 onwards). Both cause periodic population crashes. Despite this pressure, rabbit populations remain capable of rapid recovery — the post-myxomatosis rebound over subsequent decades demonstrates the resilience of the species.

The Damage Rabbits Cause to Property, Crops and Land

Rabbits cause damage across a wide range of land and property types. The economic scale of agricultural damage in the UK is substantial.

ADAS estimates annual UK crop damage caused by rabbits at £100–150 million, covering arable crops, pasture grazing, young forestry, and burrowing damage to field infrastructure.

— ADAS (Agricultural Development and Advisory Service)

Crop and Pasture Loss

Grazing damage to winter wheat, oilseed rape, brassicas, and root crops is most severe when rabbits damage the crop at seedling emergence — total field loss in affected margins is possible before crop establishment. Pasture grazing reduces sward quality and livestock carrying capacity; heavily grazed areas adjacent to active warrens can be reduced to close-cropped, low-value ground.

Burrowing Damage to Structures and Embankments

Warren excavation undermines hedgerow banks, field margins, roadside verges, footpaths, and railway embankments. Subsidence of hard surfaces and structural damage to earthworks are documented consequences of high-density warrens. Railway and road embankment management is a significant professional application for rabbit control in the UK — burrowing can compromise the structural integrity of slopes that are costly to reinstate.

Young Trees and Forestry Plantings

Bark stripping — gnawing to approximately 50 cm above ground level — can ringbark and kill individual young trees, particularly softwood saplings and amenity plantings. Rabbit damage to young forestry planting is one of the primary justifications for individual tree guards. Spiral guards and rigid tree shelters (600 mm to 1.2 m height) are standard protective measures for any planting adjacent to rabbit habitat.

Market Gardens, Allotments and Silage

Kitchen gardens and allotments in peri-urban and rural fringe areas are particularly vulnerable — vegetable crops are highly palatable and rabbits will return repeatedly once a colony establishes nearby. Rabbit-proof perimeter fencing is the only reliable long-term solution for unenclosed growing areas.

Warren spoil and rabbit carcasses contaminating silage clamps introduce soil clostridial bacteria, presenting a listeriosis risk to livestock consuming contaminated silage. This is primarily an animal health concern but has indirect food chain implications for affected farms (BPCA Technical Guidance).

Approved Rabbit Control Methods in the UK

A range of control methods are legally available in England and Wales without a licence requirement, other than professional certification for aluminium phosphide gassing. Method selection depends on site type, population size, proximity to buildings, and available skills.

Ferreting

A trained ferret is entered into the warren to bolt rabbits, which are then shot or caught in long nets placed over entrance holes before ferreting begins. Ferreting is specifically exempted from the Hunting Act 2004 (Schedule 1) — it is a legal, traditional, and effective control method when carried out correctly. It reduces warren populations without producing chemical residue. Ferreting requires skilled ferrets and experienced handlers and is primarily a professional or specialist tool for larger operations.

Shooting

Lamping — spotlight shooting at night with a rifle or shotgun — is the most widely used rabbit control method on agricultural land in the UK. Daytime shooting is also effective, particularly in late autumn and winter when vegetation cover is reduced and activity is more visible. Shot placement must achieve a clean, humane kill as required by the Animal Welfare Act 2006. A .22 LR rimfire rifle is the standard tool for rabbit lamping in open agricultural settings.

Cage Trapping

Box traps baited and positioned at active warren entrances or established runs capture rabbits without causing immediate injury. Multiple-capture drop traps are available for higher-volume control. Trapped animals must be checked at least once daily under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and humanely dispatched on site. Cage trapping is labour-intensive for large populations but is useful where shooting is unsafe or impractical — near residential areas, footpaths, or confined spaces.

Snaring

Free-running snares set on active rabbit runs are legal in England and Wales, subject to compliance with the DEFRA Code of Practice on Snaring in England. Only free-running snares are permitted — self-locking snares are prohibited under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 Schedule 6. Daily inspection is required. Snares must be set on established body runs, not near warren entrances where non-target species are more likely to be caught. Effective snaring requires considerable placement skill and is a professional or specialist method.

Phostoxin (Aluminium Phosphide) Gassing

Aluminium phosphide tablets or pellets introduced to sealed warren entrances liberate phosphine gas, which kills rabbits within the tunnel network. Phostoxin is highly effective when warrens are correctly sealed and treatment is carried out by a competent operator. It is subject to COSHH Regulations 2002 and requires a trained, Lantra-certified operator with a written risk assessment and method statement. It is not available to the public and must not be used near buildings, drains, watercourses, or public areas.

Rabbit-Proof Fencing — Long-Term Exclusion

Rabbit-proof exclusion fencing is the most evidence-based long-term protective measure for gardens, allotments, young forestry, and arable crops adjacent to active rabbit habitat. The specification of the installation determines whether it works — incorrectly installed fencing is quickly defeated by digging at the base.

Standard specification (Natural England guidance):

• Galvanised hexagonal wire netting (weldmesh), minimum 31 mm gauge
• Minimum 900 mm above ground level
• 150 mm buried underground at the base, bent outward at a right angle to prevent undermining
• Corners reinforced; all access points fitted with close-fitting frames without gaps
• Individual tree protection: spiral guards or rigid tree shelters, 600 mm to 1.2 m height

Rabbit-proof fencing — 900 mm above ground with a 150 mm underground outward-facing overhang — is the most evidence-based long-term preventive measure for crop and garden protection against rabbits.

— Natural England, rabbit management guidance

Electric fencing (single or multi-strand) can supplement fixed netting along field margins. Where deer are also present, fence height should be increased to at least 1.5 m. Fencing protects a defined area but does not eliminate the surrounding population. For large-scale agricultural protection, fencing is most effective when combined with ongoing population control beyond the fenced perimeter.

Diseases, Public Health and Animal Health Risks

Wild European rabbits carry several pathogens relevant to professional operators, landowners handling carcasses, and owners of pet rabbits in areas with active wild populations.

RVHD2 — Rabbit Viral Haemorrhagic Disease Type 2

RVHD2 (Lagovirus europaeus GI.2) became established in UK wild rabbit populations from 2018 and causes significant mortality events (APHA). Pre-RVHD2 UK population estimates of approximately 40 million are now considered too high following sustained disease pressure. RVHD2 spreads via direct contact, contaminated carcasses, and environmental persistence — it is far more environmentally stable than RVHD1.

Practitioners encountering diseased rabbits — abnormal behaviour, bloody nasal discharge, or sudden unexplained death in the field — should not handle carcasses without appropriate PPE (gloves and thorough handwashing as a minimum). Confirmed or suspected RVHD2 events should be reported to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA). The disease does not affect humans. Pet rabbits are susceptible and vaccination against RVHD1 and RVHD2 is strongly recommended.

Myxomatosis

Myxomatosis (Myxoma poxvirus) was deliberately introduced to the UK in 1953, causing a population crash of up to 99% in some areas. The disease is still endemic and is transmitted by the rabbit flea (Spilopsyllus cuniculi) and biting flies. Affected rabbits show swelling of the eyes, ears, and genitals. Genetic resistance has developed in UK wild populations over decades. The rabbit flea does not typically bite humans and is not a significant direct human health vector.

Human and Pet Health Risks

Wild rabbits present minimal direct public health risk in routine management contexts. Documented hazards are:

• Tularaemia (Francisella tularensis): Extremely rare in UK wild rabbits but a notifiable disease in humans. Wear gloves when handling all wild rabbit carcasses as standard practice.
• Salmonellosis: Wild rabbit carcasses may carry Salmonella enterica. Gloves and handwashing apply when handling carcasses.
• Listeria monocytogenes: Associated with silage contamination by rabbit carcasses and warren spoil. A livestock health concern rather than a direct human risk in typical control contexts.
• Cryptosporidium parvum: Present in some wild rabbit populations. Standard hygiene applies when working near high-density warrens.

UK Law and Your Obligations as an Occupier

Several pieces of UK legislation are relevant to rabbit control. The applicable law depends on what land you occupy and what control method you intend to use.

• Pests Act 1954: England and Wales are designated rabbit clearance areas. Occupiers of agricultural land have a statutory duty to prevent rabbits causing damage to neighbouring agricultural land. Local authorities can serve enforcement notices. The duty is to prevent damage — not to eradicate. Does not apply directly to domestic gardens.
• Ground Game Act 1880: Gives occupiers of any land the right to take and kill ground game (rabbits and hares) on their land at any time. This right cannot be transferred away from the occupier — a tenant retains it even where sporting rights are otherwise let.
• Hunting Act 2004 (Schedule 1): Contains a specific legal exemption for the use of a trained ferret to flush rabbits from their warrens. Bolted rabbits may be shot or caught in long nets.
• Animal Welfare Act 2006: All control methods must minimise unnecessary suffering. Applies to all methods — shooting, cage trapping, snaring, and fumigation.
• Wild Mammals (Protection) Act 1996: Prohibits deliberate ill-treatment of any wild mammal. All rabbit control must be carried out humanely.

When to Call a Professional Rabbit Controller

Established warrens with complex underground networks, large populations across extensive ground, or sites requiring Phostoxin gassing all typically require professional rabbit control. Specific circumstances that warrant professional involvement:

• Warrens with three or more active entrances — indicative of a significant underground system unlikely to be resolved by piecemeal DIY measures
• Phostoxin (aluminium phosphide) gassing — legally requires a trained, Lantra-certified operator and a COSHH risk assessment; not available to the public
• Agricultural land where the Pests Act 1954 duty applies and a documented, measurable control outcome is required
• Sites near public areas, buildings, drains, or watercourses where shooting or gassing is technically or legally constrained
• Post-RVHD2 event — population assessment before committing to a fencing or ongoing control programme
• When a combined programme — population reduction followed by exclusion fencing — needs coordinating as a planned clearance

Professional rabbit controllers are typically qualified to RSPH/BPCA Level 2 Award in Pest Management and, for gassing operations, hold Lantra certification. Apex Pest Control Ltd is BPCA-certified and provides rabbit surveys, population assessment, ferreting, cage trapping, and Lantra-certified Phostoxin gassing across Sheffield, Leeds, Barnsley, and Rotherham.

For more on rabbit control and management, these guides may also help: grey squirrel pest control, ultrasonic pest repellers, snap traps, and rodenticides and mice poison.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to control rabbits on my land?

In England and Wales, yes — where it is reasonably practicable. England and Wales are designated rabbit clearance areas under Section 1 of the Pests Act 1954. Occupiers have a legal duty to control wild rabbits on their land. Local authorities can serve notice requiring action if the duty is not being met.

What is the most humane way to get rid of rabbits?

Rabbit-proof exclusion fencing is the most humane long-term approach — it prevents rabbits from accessing the area without killing them. Where population reduction is needed, ferreting with purse nets, cage trapping with humane dispatch, and professional gassing are all approved methods when carried out correctly.

Can I poison rabbits in my garden?

The main approved gassing method (Phostoxin / aluminium phosphide) requires Lantra certification and is a professional-use product. There are no approved rabbit bait or poison products available to the general public in the UK. Shooting, trapping, and ferreting are the main options for non-professional use.

How deep do rabbit-proof fences need to be buried?

The fence mesh must be buried at least 150 mm below the surface and turned outward by 150 mm at the base. This prevents rabbits from digging underneath the fence line. The above-ground height should be at least 900 mm. Galvanised hexagonal wire mesh at 31 mm gauge is the standard specification.

Will rabbits come back after control?

Without exclusion fencing, rabbits will recolonise from surrounding land. Professional rabbit control should always be combined with habitat modification and, for protected areas, rabbit-proof fencing. A single clearance event without exclusion typically provides 1–2 seasons of reduced pressure before reinfestation.

What is RVHD2 and should I be worried about diseased rabbits on my land?

RVHD2 (Rabbit Viral Haemorrhagic Disease type 2) is a calicivirus that became established in UK wild rabbit populations from 2018. It causes high mortality events in wild rabbit populations and has reduced UK numbers from pre-2018 estimates of around 40 million (APHA). RVHD2 does not affect humans, but it is highly contagious between rabbits and spreads through direct contact, contaminated carcasses, and environmental persistence.

If you find dead or dying rabbits with bloody nasal discharge on your land, do not handle them without gloves. Report confirmed RVHD2 events to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA). Pet rabbits in the area should be vaccinated against both RVHD1 and RVHD2.

Do wild rabbits pose a health risk to people or domestic pets?

Wild rabbits pose minimal direct public health risk in most management situations. The main precaution when handling rabbit carcasses is wearing gloves, as wild rabbits can carry Salmonella and, extremely rarely, Francisella tularensis (tularaemia) — a notifiable disease in humans. For domestic pets, the main concern is vaccination: pet rabbits are susceptible to both myxomatosis and RVHD2 through exposure to the rabbit flea or contact with wild rabbits.

Vaccination against both diseases is strongly recommended by vets for all outdoor pet rabbits. Dogs that retrieve shot rabbits are at no significant health risk from normal contact, though basic hygiene applies.

Rabbit Control Services Across Yorkshire

If you need professional rabbit control on your property or land, Apex Pest Control Ltd provides surveys and treatment across Sheffield, Leeds, Barnsley, and Rotherham. We offer Lantra-certified gassing, ferreting, trapping, and rabbit-proof fencing consultation.

Contact Apex Pest Control Ltd to discuss your rabbit control requirements.