Control vertebrate pest animals on your land

As a landholder, it's your duty to manage pest animals on your land and stop new ones from establishing. Learn how to identify, track, and get help controlling vertebrate pests with support from Local Land Services NSW.

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Learn about control methods

Collect and learn to use baits

Join Feral Fighters or other groups

Get pesticide training

Identify and control these pest animals

These pest animals have a significant impact on agricultural production, industry, the environment, and communities. They can prey on livestock and wildlife, and compete with native wildlife for food and habitat. They increase grazing pressure on pastures, and damage crops and plants. They can also spread diseases to people and other animals (including stock and pets). Many pests damage fences and other infrastructure.

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Feral pigs

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Foxes

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Wild dogs

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Feral cats

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Feral deer

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Feral horses

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Wild rabbits

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Feral goats

A cane toad sits on a rock looking at the photographer.

Cane toads

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Mice

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Pest birds

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Pest fish

Also see:

How to report vertebrate pests

FeralScan

Report common pest animals on FeralScan. Data can be saved as private or shared with neighbours or your community. Your pest reports can help guide future pest management programs. 

Talk to your local biosecurity officer

Local Land Services biosecurity team can offer support to manage pest species such as feral pigs, deer, foxes, wild dogs and rabbits.

Report suspected exotic animals

Some non-native animals are illegal to keep. They pose a risk to the environment, economy and community. 

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General Biosecurity Duty and FeralScan

FeralScan is a free app and website that supports landholders to record pest animal sightings and damage, monitor activity over time and coordinate control across properties.

Read transcript
Video transcript

General Biosecurity Duty and FeralScan

Pest animals like feral pigs,
deer, wild dogs, foxes,
and rabbits cause real damage to farm productivity,
the environment, and local communities.
Under your General Biosecurity Duty
managing them on your land is your responsibility,
but you don't have to do it alone.
FeralScan is a free app
and website that lets you record pest sightings, damage,
and coordinate activities. Even without mobile coverage.
Add photos, view maps,
and track activity across your property over time.
With FeralScan, you can document pests
and use your records to decide when,
where and how to act.
You can create a private group with neighbours
to coordinate monitoring and control
with reports only visible to you,
your group, and your local Biosecurity Officer.
Your Local Land Services Biosecurity Officer
can help you get started with FeralScan,
connect with neighbours,
and build a control program that suits your situation.
Every report strengthens
the shared response across your region.
Download the FeralScan app
or visit feralscan.org.au to start reporting today.
For support with FeralScan
or your biosecurity obligations,
call 1300 795 299.

How to use FeralScan

Learn how FeralScan can help landholders to record and coordinate pest animal control to help meet their General Biosecurity Duty. 

With FeralScan, you can:

  • record pest sightings
  • record damage
  • monitor activity over time
  • coordinate activities with neighbours.

Watch the video to learn how you can report feral animals using FeralScan.

How to report alert species

Report more unusual pest animals and exotic species.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) outlines what alert species are. They might include certain species of turtles, ants, feral camels, cane toads and snakes, such as the American corn snake (pictured right).

For alert species in your area see your Regional Strategic Pest Animal Management Plan

Report alert species to the Invasive Plants and Animals Enquiry Line:

You can report a biosecurity concern using the online form.

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Related news and media releases

Media release

Get involved in the upcoming spring wild dog and fox baiting program

Greater Sydney Local Land Services is encouraging landholders from the Central Coast, Wollondilly/Macarthur and Hawkesbury/Kurrajong areas to join this spring's coordinated wild dog and fox baiting program to help protect livestock, pets and native wildlife.
Media release

Time to RSVP for Western wild dog forum in White Cliffs

Final preparations for the Western wild dog forum are being undertaken with up to 100 attendees expected to attend the event and provide input into the future of wild dog management at a local and regional level.
Media release

Team up to tackle foxes together

With fox activity increasing during the breeding season, South East Local Land Services is encouraging landholders to work together with neighbours and participate in upcoming coordinated spring fox baiting programs running from late June through July and August.
Media release

Landholders urged to complete Feral Pig Impacts Survey

The NSW Government’s Local Land Services is encouraging landholders to take the Feral Pig Impacts Survey to better understand feral pig impacts and measure the success of control programs.
Media release

Act early on feral pig control

With dry seasonal conditions being experienced across much of the state, Local Land Services is urging producers to act early on feral pig control. 

Get the right support

An LLS officer is in paddock with net in hand to catch locusts.

Local Land Services Biosecurity Officers are on the ground to give you advice and support including:

  • how to deal with declared pest species
  • coordinating management plans to control pests
  • inspecting properties for declared pests and helping you develop a control plan
  • providing support through individual or group baiting programs (organised with your neighbours).

Call 1300 795 299

Recent Local Land Services publications

Podcast

Good Neighbours podcast series

The 4-part Good Neighbours series on the Pastoral Poddy podcast looks at how landholders across the rangelands are tackling pests, weeds, and biosecurity challenges together.
Evaluation

Feral Pig and Pest Program 2024-25 evaluation summary

External evaluation report summary on the NSW Government's Feral Pig and Pest Program 2024-25 delivered by Local Land Services.
Training material

School engagement program resources

Printable and in-person resources or presentations for primary and high school students.
Consultation, Report

Improving landholder participation in invasive species programs recommendations report

This document outlines recommendations for LLS to improve engagement with landholders in relation to pest and weed control programs.
Training material

Vertebrate Pesticide Induction Training

This Local Land Services course takes you through the legal responsibilities, safety requirements and practical considerations for an effective use of baits and pesticides. The course leads to a certificate valid for 5 years.

Contact Local Land Services NSW

We welcome your enquiries, feedback and comments.  Contact our team

Find your nearest LLS office

Use the search function to find information or resources from Local Land Services.

Phone:1300 795 299
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