29/05/2026
When it comes to protecting your property, livestock, and livelihood, Davrac Rural Pest Services delivers the kind of results that only boots‑on‑the‑ground expertise can achieve. Aerial shooting and baiting programs are powerful tools—but they’re only the first strike. To truly reduce pest numbers and protect your land long‑term, ground control teams remain absolutely essential.
Here’s why landholders across regional NSW continue to rely on Davrac’s specialist ground crews:
Why Ground Control Is Still Required After Aerial Shooting & Baiting
1. Aerial programs don’t reach every animal
Even highly effective aerial shooting programs typically remove 40–60% of target animals in a single operation, depending on terrain and vegetation density. Survivors often retreat into heavy cover, creek lines, timbered country, or inaccessible gullies—areas only ground teams can properly search and clear.
2. Baiting reduces populations, not individuals
1080 baiting programs can achieve up to 90% reduction in foxes and 60–80% reduction in wild dog populations, but bait uptake varies with weather, food availability, and animal behaviour. Ground control is essential to identify non‑bait‑taking individuals and remove them before they breed or cause further stock losses.
3. Survivors become trap‑shy and smarter
Animals that survive aerial or baiting programs often become more cautious. Ground teams using professional trapping, thermal imaging, and targeted night operations are needed to locate and remove these high‑impact individuals.
4. Rapid reinvasion is a real threat
Studies show that feral pigs, foxes, and wild dogs can **repopulate cleared areas within months** if follow‑up control isn’t maintained. Ground control provides the ongoing pressure needed to keep numbers down and prevent re‑establishment.
5. Verification and monitoring matter
Aerial programs give broad results, but ground teams provide the detail:
- Carcass counts
- Sign and activity monitoring
- Camera trap verification
- Property‑specific risk assessments
This data is crucial for proving program effectiveness and planning the next stage of control.
Industry Statistics That Highlight the Need for Ground Control
- Feral pigs cause more than $100 million in agricultural damage annually in Australia, and populations can rebound by up to 86% within 12 months without follow‑up control.
- Wild dogs cost producers over $89 million per year in livestock losses and control efforts, with lone survivors responsible for repeated predation events.
- Foxes kill an estimated 300 million native animals annually and require integrated control to achieve sustained reduction.
- Research consistently shows that integrated pest management —combining aerial, baiting, trapping, and ground shooting—achieves 50–70% better long‑term outcomes than single‑method programs.
Why Choose Davrac Rural Pest Services
At Davrac, we don’t just run programs—we build long‑term protection strategies. Our ground teams bring:
- Advanced thermal and night‑vision equipment
- Professional trapping and shooting expertise
- Property‑specific planning
- Compliance with all NSW biosecurity and animal welfare standards
- A commitment to measurable, lasting results
When the helicopter has done its job, Davrac is the team that finishes the job.
