Frequently asked rabbit questions

Pindone carrots are real carrots that have been diced and mixed with a poison registered for control of rabbits in South Australia called Pindone. The carrots are dyed green at the time of mixing. Pindone treated carrots are not sold commercially in South Australia. They are only available from bait distribution days held by Landscapes Hills and Fleurieu. They are only available to people at bait distribution days who can demonstrate that they have completed the online training - 2026/27 course available now

Pindone carrots are a poison bait, K5 calicivirus carrots have been treated with the rabbit-specific virus called calicivirus. Carrots treated with the K5 variant of the calicivirus are used to pass on the calicivirus to populations of rabbits. Unlike pindone carrots, there is zero risk to off-target species as the virus only affects rabbits. Unlike pindone carrots, you can use calicivirus carrots on properties smaller than 1000 square metres. Please understand that there are many factors that influence the effectiveness of the virus, therefore calicivirus carrots can vary in their success rate from 20 – 80% effective. 

Please note: K5 calicivirus-treated carrots will not be available in 2026-27. Feedback and research indicate that the virus has become less effective as rabbit populations have developed increased immunity. We recommend using other control methods as part of an integrated rabbit management program.

This trains rabbits to eat a new food source, helps you estimate how much Pindone bait you’ll need, and lets you check that native animals are not eating the carrots. Trail cameras can be useful for monitoring rabbit activity.

Pre-feeding is an important part of running a safe and responsible baiting program. You can often use cheaper ‘juicing’ or lower grade carrots from fodder stores or fruit and veg shops for this purpose. 

Pindone is approved for rabbit control near houses because it has an antidote (Vitamin K1) and rabbits need to eat it several times for it to work. If you think your dog has eaten some Pindone-treated carrots, watch them closely. Eating only a small amount usually causes little harm and most dogs will recover. If your dog becomes drowsy, take them to the vet straight away. Tell the vet that Pindone was used, that it is an anticoagulant poison, and that Vitamin K1 is the antidote.

It’s unlikely that your dog will be harmed from eating a dead rabbit, because most of the poison in Pindone has been broken down once the rabbit has died. Pindone is approved for use near houses because it has an antidote, Vitamin K1.

If you think your dog has eaten a rabbit carcass that may have been poisoned with Pindone, take them to a vet straight away. Tell the vet that Pindone was used, that it is an anticoagulant, and that Vitamin K1 is the antidote. 

It’s not recommended to leave Pindone or other rabbit baits unattended. Baits should be placed and monitored carefully to reduce risks to pets, wildlife, and children. For best results, lay baits in the evening along freshly scuffed trails, as rabbits are attracted to disturbed soil. Check the baits early the following morning and dispose of any uneaten carrots by burying them at least 50cm underground. If you cannot be on-site, consider arranging for a trusted person to manage the baiting

No. You can only bait on your land where you can control access.

Yes. It is a legal requirement to display Pindone poison signs at least one day before baiting and to keep them up for four weeks afterward. This helps protect people, pets, and wildlife, and ensures you are complying with the law.

Any rabbit carcasses should be disposed of safely to prevent risks to pets, wildlife, and people. Bury carcasses at least 50cm underground.

Pindone, when used correctly, is a valuable tool for controlling rabbits. Even experienced users need to be aware that incorrect use can have serious consequences for native wildlife and pets. Recorded cases of off-target poisoning can halt control programs and restrict access to bait for everyone.

We are committed to promoting safe, responsible, and effective baiting. Training the community in best-practice use is the most reliable way to achieve this. We strongly encourage anyone choosing to bait rabbits to complete our online training. It’s free, takes less than 30 minutes, and provides the knowledge needed to protect both your property and the wildlife around it - 2026/27 course available now

2026/27 course available now.

If you’re having difficulty with the online training, here are some tips:

• Module 1 has 7 questions. Question 5 requires you to select 3 boxes (“check all that apply”).
• Module 2 has 4 questions. Question 4 requires selecting 3 boxes.
• Module 3 has 3 questions. Question 3 requires selecting 3 boxes.
• Module 4 has 5 questions. Questions 1 and 3 require selecting 3 boxes; question 5 requires 4 boxes.

Working with another person on a computer can make it easier.

If you still need help, call 8391 7500 during office hours.

Rabbits are much more likely to select carrots over oats during summer due to the water content of carrots. If rabbits are not eating the oats, there is a much higher chance of oats being eaten by non-target animals, such as kangaroos. We run control programs at the height of summer when there is less green feed available and rabbits are naturally lowest in number and more susceptible to heat, as the program is more likely to have a long-term effective impact on rabbit populations.

Our online training includes a section on using pindone oats. We highly recommend that anyone who chooses to bait rabbits do our training - 2026/27 course available now

The online training is mandatory for anyone wishing to purchase pindone carrots from us.

Pindone, when used correctly, is an important tool for controlling rabbits. Even experienced users will find the online training straightforward. Incorrect use, however, can have serious consequences for native wildlife and pets. Recorded cases of off-target deaths can halt control programs and make pindone unavailable to the community.

We are committed to safe, responsible, and humane baiting. Training the community in best-practice use is the best way to support this. We strongly encourage anyone choosing to bait rabbits to complete the training. It’s free, takes less than 30 minutes, and provides the knowledge needed to protect both your property and the wildlife around it - 2026/27 course available now

We no longer have the infrastructure to store pindone carrots at our office, so we cannot supply them from this location. If you are unable to attend your local bait distribution day, you are welcome to register for a different day at another town or at a later round at your preferred location.

Providing carrots through a bait distribution day is a best-practice control measure. Pindone carrots are made to order based on registrations for each distribution day. Coordinating distribution in this way ensures more effective and widespread control of rabbits in the area.

Each baiting season can bring changes to regulations, approved products, and best-practice methods. Completing the training each season ensures you have the latest information to handle baits safely, legally, and responsibly. If you’ve completed the training previously, the refresher is short and shouldn’t take longer than 10 minutes. Regular updates help make sure baits are used effectively and responsibly, protecting both people and wildlife.