Pest Animal Management
Land users are responsible for managing pest animals on their land. Information on the identification and management of pest animals is provided below, along with the council services that support Gympie residents in the management of pest animals.
What is a pest animal?
Pest animals, also called restricted invasive animals, are widespread in Queensland, and affect primary industries, the natural environment, livestock, human health and people's livelihoods.
Pest animals that are declared under the Biosecurity Act 2014 include:
- Prohibited invasive animals (not yet present in QLD)
- Restricted invasive animals (established in QLD)
- Other invasive animals (not declared)
Council can provide advice to land users managing pest animals. Call 1300 307 800 if you need help.
Trap Loan
Residents can loan a cage trap for wild dogs, feral cats, foxes, and rabbits. Council also has pen traps available for the control of feral pigs.
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To determine if cage trapping is appropriate for your needs, consider the information supplied here by - PestSmart (trapping of wild dogs using cage traps (DOF002) Standard operating procedure).
You will need to have access to a licenced firearm holder to provide humane euthanasia for the ENTIRE trapping program.
Council do not loan traps for the purpose of wild dog trapping, however can provide information on appropriate control methods for wild dogs, based on your land use and needs – please contact council on 1300 307 800
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To determine if cage trapping is appropriate for your needs, consider the information supplied here by - PestSmart (trapping of feral cats using cage traps (CAT002) standard operating procedure).
Trapped cats can be taken to Gympie’s RSPCA to check for microchip and rehoming possibilities – call RSPCA on 5482 9407 to check opening hours so trapping is only performed on the days the RSPCA will be open, if this is your chosen method of dealing with the cat.
Alternatively, you will need to have access to a licenced firearm holder to provide humane euthanasia for the ENTIRE trapping program.
Please contact council on 1300 307 800 to submit a trap loan request.
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To determine if cage trapping is appropriate for your needs, consider the information supplied here by - PestSmart (trapping of foxes using cage traps (FOX006) standard operating procedure).
You will need to have access to a licenced firearm holder to provide humane euthanasia for the ENTIRE trapping program.
Please contact council on 1300 307 800 to submit a trap loan request.
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Feral pigs cause agricultural damage through preying on newborn lambs, reducing crop yields, damaging fences and water sources, and competing with stock for feed by consuming or damaging pasture.
To determine if cage trapping is appropriate for your needs, consider the information provided here by - PestSmart (trapping of feral pigs (PIG001) standard operating procedure).
You will need to have access to a licenced firearm holder to provide humane euthanasia for the ENTIRE trapping program.
Please contact council on 1300 307 800 to submit a trap loan request.
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To determine if cage trapping is appropriate for your needs, consider the information provided here by - PestSmart (trapping using soft net traps (GEN003) standard operating procedure).
Note that council loans cage traps, but the procedure remains the same.
You will need to have access to a licenced firearm holder to provide humane euthanasia for the ENTIRE trapping program, or an alternative humane euthanasia method, as per procedure GEN003. If you are able to deliver the trapped rabbit to Gympie, council can assist with euthanasia.
Please contact council on 1300 307 800 to submit a trap loan request.
You may also be interested in rabbit biocontrol – RHDV (below).
Wild dog and feral pig bounty claim
Council has a ‘bounty program’ to help landholders and pest controllers with management of these pest species, within the Gympie region.
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Please read the Bounty program information sheet here and if you meet the criteria (bounty MUST be collected from a property within the Gympie region), you can download and fill out the following forms:
- New suppliers will receive an email from eftsure, asking you to register. Instructions are here.
- To claim a bounty payment, complete the form here
As per the Bounty program information sheet, please contact Council on 1300 307 800 to make an appointment to submit your completed paperwork and wild dog scalps and/or feral pig snouts for bounty claim.
1080 Baiting
Council has a twice yearly 1080 baiting program for the control of wild dogs, foxes and feral pigs. Council’s Coordinated baiting programs are generally run around May and September each year (weather/resource dependant), for the next upcoming baiting program please Click here for details
Council can support landowners to conduct 1080 baiting programs at other times during the year by appointment.
Please call 1300 307 800 to find out if you are eligible for this service.
Please read the procedure for ground baiting with 1080 for the invasive species you wish to control, listed below, and consider the information contained within to determine if 1080 baiting is appropriate for your needs.
Anyone wishing to bait for the purpose of invasive animal control must understand their legislative obligations, the associated risks and personal responsibilities. Legal S7 poisons used for this this purpose are regulated by the QLD Department of Health. Please review the QLD Health Departmental Standard – Dealing with restricted S7 poisons for invasive animal control Click here
Please Note : There has been a change to 1080 baiting notification distances. You are now required to notify property owners/users that are located within 250 metres of the property laying 1080 baits. In most cases this will be adjacent and adjoining neighbours. Contact Council if you require a list of names and addresses for notification purposes.
Other Controls
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Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease (RHD) is used in Australia to minimise the impacts of the introduced European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) on agricultural production and the environment.
Please read the GRC RHDV rabbit control advice sheet and also consider Pestsmart Bait delivery of RHDV-K5 (RAB011) Standard operating procedure to determine if a RHD release is appropriate for your needs.
If you would like to participate in a RHDV rabbit control program, please call council on 1300 307 800.
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Poisoning with pindone is used to minimise the impact of the introduced European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) on agricultural production and the environment.
Please consider the information from - PestSmart (ground baiting of rabbits with Pindone (RAB004) standard operating procedure) to determine if pindone is appropriate for your needs. Council is not actively involved in pindone releases on private property – contact your local rural supplier for more information.
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HOGGONE meSN feral pig bait is currently available as a manufactured bait from Animal Control Technologies Australia – https://animalcontrol.com.au/products/hoggone.
This product must be used in conjunction with the HogHopper bait delivery system and Council has two of these bait boxes for loan to Gympie residents baiting with HOGGONE.
- Click here for Hoggone sodium nitrite baiting advice
- Click here for the ACTA Hoggone booklet
- Click here for Hoggone meSN APVMA label and leaflet
Council does not use coordinate the use of Hoggone for feral pig control on private property, but you can contact Council on 1300 307 800 to arrange for bait box loan.
Taking a proactive approach to pest animal control is generally much better than waiting for problems to occur.
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Deciding on a pest management strategy early allows you to plan your activities and allocate a budget for dealing with your pest animal problems. Click here for more information from the Business Queensland website.
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Integrated pest management recognises that in many situations, effective, long-term control of pest animals is best achieved by combining several complementary control methods. https://www.business.qld.gov.au/industries/farms-fishing-forestry/agriculture/land-management/health-pests-weeds-diseases/pests/controlling/methods
Complementary control methods include:
- chemical control - using pesticides and insecticides to control pest animals (baiting)
- physical control - using mechanical tools, equipment and machinery to capture, exclude or destroy pest animals, including trapping, shooting, harbour destruction and fencing.
- biological control - using animal-specific diseases to control pest animal populations (including RHDV) or protecting livestock with guardian animals.
Gympie region biosecurity plan
The Gympie Region Biosecurity Plan provides a guide for invasive species management in the region. It supports the Queensland Biosecurity Act 2014 by promoting a coordinated approach to the management of invasive plants and animals. This plan is based on the idea that biosecurity in the Gympie region is everyone’s responsibility, and we will achieve the best outcomes if we all work together. Click here to view the plan.
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Council has a region wide biosecurity surveillance program for declared plant and animal species assessed as posing a high biosecurity risk (HBR) to the Gympie region.
The managers of land that contain HBR declared species will be requested to take action to reduce the risk of these pest species spreading and causing impacts to other properties.
Contact Council to report the presence of declared plants and animals that are affecting your land or activities. For the full details on the surveliance program click here.
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The Biosecurity Act 2014 provides biosecurity measures to safeguard our economy, agricultural and tourism industries, environment and way of life, from:
- pests (e.g. wild dogs and weeds)
- diseases (e.g. foot-and-mouth disease)
- contaminants (e.g. lead on grazing land).
Top 5 pest animals in the Gympie Region
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Wild dog
A medium-sized canid with a lean, hardy body designed for speed, agility, and stamina.
Wild dogs are a major pest species impacting on grazing industries and the environment. They prey on livestock and native animals. (includes all wild-living dogs, such as dingoes, stray and escaped domestic dogs, and their hybrids).
For Council supported management tools, click here (go to Council services).
• Advice on control techniques
• Cage trapping
• Baiting (1080, PAPP, CPEs)
Call 1300 307 800 to get involved.Visit the Wild Dog toolkit for management info:
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Foxes
A small to medium sized canid, red foxes have a long body and tail, covered in red fur (colour morphs also include silver, black and platinum). They have black fur on their feet, the tips of their ears, and a distinctive white tuft at the end of the tail.
Foxes pose a threat to livestock, as they prey on poultry, lambs and goat kids. In high density areas they may also be a health risk to humans and pets, through transmission of diseases. (such as distemper, parvo virus and mange.
For details on Council supported management tools, click here (go to Council services)..
• Advice on control techniques
• Cage trapping
• Baiting (1080, PAPP, CPEs)
Call 1300 307 800 to get involved.
Got to the European foxes toolkit
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Feral pig
Feral pigs are typically smaller, leaner and more muscular than domestic pigs, with well-developed shoulders and neck, and smaller, shorter hindquarters. The coat is usually black, buff, or black-and-white spotted.
Feral pigs are a serious environmental and agricultural pest across Australia. They prey on native animals, kill young livestock, and dig up large expanses of soil and vegetation in search of food. Feral pigs are often found around wetlands and river systems where they foul the water and cause erosion.
For Council supported management tools, click here (go to Council services).
• Advice on control techniques
• Pen trapping
• Baiting (1080 and Hoggone)
Call 1300 307 800 to get involved.Go to the feral pig toolkit
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Feral cat
The Feral Cat has a similar appearance to domestic cats, but often has increased muscle development, particularly around head, neck and shoulders. All have usual cat coat colours.
Feral cats are the same species as domestic cats but live, hunt and reproduce in the wild. They are carnivores and exceptional hunters preying on and killing vast numbers of native animals. Cats are solitary animals and mainly hunt at night.
For Council supported management tools, click here (go to Council services).
• Advice on control techniques
• Cage trapping
• Baiting (1080)
Call 1300 307 800 to get involved.Go to the Feral cat toolkit
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Rabbits
Rabbit
Rabbits are small, furry, mammals with long ears, short fluffy tails, and strong, large hind legs. They have 2 pairs of sharp incisors.
Rabbits damage native plants and directly compete with native wildlife for food and shelter. They reduce crop yields and prevent seedlings from growing. Their digging and browsing leads to a loss of vegetation cover, which results in slope instability and soil erosion.
Rabbits are Australia’s most widespread and destructive environmental and agricultural vertebrate pest.
For Council supported management tools, click here (go to Council services).
• Advice on rabbit control techniques
• Cage trapping
• Baiting
• Biocontrol
Call 1300 307 800 to get involved.Go to the Rabbit toolkit
Useful resources
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Fact sheets have been produced by Biosecurity Queensland for invasive plants and animals, and contain helpful information about identifying, and ways of managing or controlling pest plants and animals.
Head to this link for more info: https://www.daf.qld.gov.au/business-priorities/biosecurity/invasive-plants-animals/fact-sheets
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PestSmart provides best practice information on how to plan, manage and improve pest animal control programs in Australia. Popular info include the wild dog, feral pig, fox and rabbit management tool kits.
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Record pest animal activity in your local area to protect farms, biodiversity and communities. Use the information and tools to develop an integrated pest management plan.