By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. I doubt it, because deer don't eat rabbits. Raise the soil bed somewhere between 30-60 cm above the ground. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. It … Copyright © 2021 Acton Media Inc. All rights reserved. Being trapped in a cage causes stress for a rabbit, though, so you’ll want it to spend a minimum amount of time inside before you’re ready to release it. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 541,357 times. Steffani Cameron, Bob Vila, 3-D TVs and 10 Other Home Tech Fads That Didn’t Last Long, 9 Ways That Garden Pesticides May Be Making Your Pest Problem Worse, Grime Fighters: 10 Heavy-Duty Tools for Deep Cleaning, 11 Things You Need to Consider Before Putting in a Pool, 10 Once-Trendy Paint Colors That Still Look Good Today. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014. Check with your garden center for natural rabbit repellents, or purchase a product online (view example on Amazon). Weigh the pros and cons of water solubility for your property, since water soluble repellents may be easier to apply but more quickly dissolve from hose or rain water (and therefore require lots of reapplication). Remove piles of wood, sticks, branches, trimmings, and debris—all of which provide the perfect hiding places for rabbits. These could indicate the presence of rabbits, which take cover in the holes during cold or rainy weather. You can use fish emulsion, create your own mixture, use ammonia, and plant plants that are natural rabbit repellents. This article has been viewed 541,357 times. Ideally, get specific advice from a local university extension, to find plants that grow in your climate and deter rabbit species in your area. Planting ​Certain Types of Plants. If you know where the rabbits enter the garden, you can spray the plants at that border. They only protect a small area, and rabbits tend to get used to them over time. This also causes the repellent to mix through the water, instead of floating on top. Rabbits’ Natural Enemies. Deer are vegetarians. Poultry netting with a 1-inch mesh and that is 18 to 24 inches wide is ideal for cutting into strips 18 to 20 inches long and forming into cylinders for … Some plants may get "scars" on their leaves from this spray. In winter, rabbits will eat bark of trees and shrubs, buds, twigs, blackberry and raspberry canes bushes. Shake the mixture well to incorporate. To keep rabbits out of your garden organically, try spraying your plants with a repellent made from water, dish soap, hot sauce, and garlic cloves. Keep spare chicken wire for bolstering and patching as needed. Plants that deter rabbits. This article has been viewed 541,357 times. You can even try calling your local humane society’s office and ask if they can lend you a trap or let you rent it. The moment they smell it, they leave an area. Did you know you can read expert answers for this article? A mixture of the above may work best of all. Perhaps the best method to ward off large numbers of rabbits involves fencing. Be cautious when using spray bottles that once contained commercial cleaning products. This may attract other pests, such as ants. Razor-sharp teeth allow these herbivorous mammals to cut through vegetation of nearly any kind, including leafy green plants, carrots, broccoli, strawberries, apples, and other produce. Next time when you are cutting your hair, ask for your hair. The Spruce / Micah Issitt and Adrienne Legault. STEP 1 Mow your grass regularly (about once a week), and don’t leave clippings around for rabbits to nosh on. Bury the fence 4–6 inches (10–15 cm) deep. Additionally, rabbits may dig burrows on residential properties, which can leave unsightly holes and become a tripping hazard. By placing human hair around the fence or the areas where the rabbit gets access to your garden helps. An unkempt and overgrown yard will undoubtedly attract rabbits, since the animals take cover in tall grass. Since rabbits can dig underneath the gate, you’ll want to bury a piece of metal flashing vertically six- to eight-inches underneath it. The other side of the gate can be attached to a stake with a latch, with which homeowners can open and close the door. Rabbit repellents basically work in two ways to keep rabbits out of your flower and vegetable garden and off the lawn—they produce a smell or taste that is repulsive for rabbits but without harm. Along the way, keep the following considerations in mind: Once you choose a product, apply it per the manufacturer’s instructions and follow up accordingly to keep pests out of your yard and garden all season. In desperate situations, it's fairly easy to build a rabbit-proof fence. Cut the chicken wire to size with wire cutters. Dog or cat hair also can work. Then, following manufacturer instructions, set up the trap in a shady, sheltered area of your yard, preferably near vegetation. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Search your property for burrows and holes. If you’re using the repellent on produce in the vegetable garden, ensure the product is safe to use and won’t affect the flavor of your food. Rabbits follow their powerful noses to find delicious-smelling foods (like your vegetable garden). Despite homeowners’ best efforts keeping a well-manicured yard, this strategy alone may not always deter them. Rabbits also do not like the smell of onions so you can use that too. How do I keep rabbits from eating my plants? But if you spot only a few roaming your yard, ward off the beginning of a warren by following a combination of these humane methods for how to get rid of rabbits. Human hair or dried blood sprinkled around the perimeter of the fencing is a warning for the rabbits to stay away. Do not spray it anywhere but the garden. Plastic-coated chicken wire may be more attractive and safer than bare metal wire, since it won't rust. I don't want to hurt babies but I just don't want them eating my salad fixings either. Just place the Liquid Fence around the perimeter of your garden. Repellents work by changing the smell or taste of these items, thus deterring rabbits. If the label warns against reusing the bottle, it may cause harm to the rabbit, plants, or people who eat the plants. 2. Then, stay on top of yard maintenance tasks, like pulling weeds and trimming overgrown vegetation. In addition to rabbits are rodents and deer among other pests. If this happens, spray on the ground around the plant instead. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014. Disclosure: BobVila.com participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for publishers to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Some Ways to Get Rid of Rabbits in Your Garden Placing human hair at strategic places. Staple chicken wire to the interior of the frame, then attach one side of the gate to a stake with hinges. Egg and vinegar also work well if placed on the border of the garden. Mix 2 tablespoons of cayenne pepper, 2 tablespoons of garlic powder, and a squirt of dish detergent with 20 ounces of warm water. Human or dog hair, cayenne pepper, and garden manure spread around your garden will make sure your plants safe, and if you spray your vegetables with a mix of vinegar and water, no rabbit will want them. While children love big-eared Bugs Bunny chomping on a carrot, gardeners can identify closely with his cartoon nemesis, Elmer Fudd. You just need to sprinkle human or pet hair, cat litter or a dried blood meal, sulfured eggs and garlic in a defensive circle around your grass, flower bed, garden vegetables, and shrubs. Expert advice from Bob Vila, the most trusted name in home improvement, home remodeling, home repair, and DIY. It worked like a charm right, "Very helpful! Liquid Fence Deer & Rabbit Repellent. In the winter, rabbits gnaw on bark of young trees and shrubs to get to the green inner bark. Add a little dish soap. You can often deter them from your garden plants with smelly or spicy materials made at home, but it may take several tries to find something that works. The stakes should be four feet tall, with one foot underground and three feet above ground (the same height as the chicken wire fence). % of people told us that this article helped them. This article was co-authored by Lauren Kurtz. This will likely attract more rabbits in the long run, making it an unsustainable practice. Support wikiHow by Rabbits detest the smell of human hair and it can actually cause them to fear … Such repellents are completely safe for your cat or dog. Orbit 62100 Yard Enforcer Motion-Activated Sprinkler with Day & Night Detection Modes $69.99 $ 79.99 Electric net fencing also can be used for temporary control around seasonal gardens. I spray them down every other day or so, and 3 months later they are flourishing. Putting rocks around your chicken wire fence usually prevents rabbits from trying to dig under it. Brush rabbits, cottontails and jackrabbits can all be serious pests in your yard. You can also try to surround the garden with a wired net to protect vegetables. Bone meal adds phosphorus to the soil, promoting root health. However, be aware that the presence of raw eggs may attract ants and other pests. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. away. Soak strips of old rags in undiluted ammonia, and place them on the trails the rabbits are using to get into your garden. Thyme and basil are good ones to try. Buy a “live trap” or “cage trap” fit to catch a three- to four-pound rabbit from a home center; these medium-sized traps generally cost around $40 or $50 (view example on Amazon). Do not add more spicy materials than recommended. For more advice from our Horticulturist reviewer, including how to use organic repellents like bone meal and fox urine, keep reading. Soak strips of old rags in undiluted ammonia, and place them on the trails the rabbits are using to get into your garden. You agree that BobVila.com may process your data in the manner described by our Privacy Policy. References If you're using lethal traps to reduce rabbit population, hunting is usually a more effective solution. Rabbits have … {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/5a\/Keep-Rabbits-out-of-Your-Garden-Organically-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Keep-Rabbits-out-of-Your-Garden-Organically-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/5a\/Keep-Rabbits-out-of-Your-Garden-Organically-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid186133-v4-728px-Keep-Rabbits-out-of-Your-Garden-Organically-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"