THE wild rabbit population in and around Hobart has increased significantly because of dry weather.
The Hobart City Council has been inundated with calls about the number of rabbits seen in suburbs from Sandy Bay to New Town, on the Queens Domain and in the city.
General manager Nick Heath said council officers were working with the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and the Environment to control the population boom.
State invasive species branch manager Craig Elliot said dry weather had caused large numbers of rabbits to appear in back yards, gardens and reserves.
Colonies of rabbits have been spotted on the lawns of Government House and large numbers have caused havoc in garden beds at the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens on the Queens Domain.
Cyclists have been dodging rabbits on the inner-city bike track and backyard vegetable growers have been forced to erect rabbit-proof fences to protect their patches.
Margate Hardware assistant manager Shannon Lawless said there had been an increased demand for rabbit wire in the past six months.
Mr Lawless said rabbit wire was thicker and heavier than chicken wire and was a good deterrent.
Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens horticultural coordinator David Reid said the rabbits were causing significant problems.
Mr Reid said they were devouring vegetables and salad greens in the garden beds.
"There has been an explosion in [the number] of rabbits over the last three years," Mr Reid said.
"They're out during the day and the night – the kids love them."
State environment officers were working with landowners to determine the best ways to control the influx, Mr Elliot said.
Methods included poisoning the pests and shooting them.
One deterrent used in suburban areas is calicivirus, however its application is restricted to trained state environment staff only.
Studies have found the virus poses no risk to humans or other animals.
jennifer.crawley@news.com.au
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