Despite having a long history in pop culture thanks to adorable children’s characters like Bugs Bunny, Peter Cottontail, and Thumper, rabbits are one of the acknowledged horticulture world’s archenemies. Rabbits may symbolize gentleness and elegance in the Chinese Zodiac, but they can cause just as much damage to a garden as any other pest. They eat vegetables, destroy the soil, dig tunnels under fences, spread diseases like tularemia, and to make matters worst, they can outrun humans. Additionally, once a rabbit invades a garden, it always returns.
Most gardeners find rabbits to be a bit of a moral conundrum. They appear to be innocent creatures, so we feel awful for hating them. However, numerous fruitless attempts to solve a rabbit problem can be as frustrating as the veggies that the rabbits have gnawed. The Internet is also rife with hocus pocus-like rabbit advice “Sprinkle dried blood throughout your yard! Use human hair to ward off bunnies! Consequently, it can be challenging to identify the best options. Most experienced farmers will say, “Shooting the rabbits is the only solution to a rabbit problem! But even if they are a bother, it is understandable that most of us feel uncomfortable with the idea.
With a little luck and persistence, these five tried-and-true humane methods to get rid of rabbits will work.
Plant Plants That Rabbits Dislike
Since deer and rabbits often dislike the same things, it can be effective to introduce plants that they won’t likely consume. In addition to being attractive, forsythia, lilac shrub, marigolds, zinnias, daffodils, lavender, and snapdragons will deter rabbits from your property. Below is a list of more anti-rabbit plants provided by the Old Farmer’s Almanac.
- Adam’s syringe (Yucca filamentosa)
- Phlox in progress (Phlox subulata)
- Fuzzy flower (Tiarella cordifolia)
- sheep’s ear (Stachys byzantina)
- Moose rue (Thalictrum rochebrunianum)
- Peony (Paeonia hybrids)
- Salvia perennialis ‘East Friesland’ (Salvia x superba)
- Primrose (Primula x polyantha)
- Russian mystic (Perovskia atriplicifolia)
- Autumn Joy Sedum (Sedum)
- Speedwell (Veronica sp.)
- Cinquefoil of spring (Potentilla verna)
- Sterne’s aster (Stokesia laevis)
- Rhododendron sp. azaleas
- Boxwood (Buxus sp.)
- Bush five-petal (Potentilla fruticosa)
- Bumblebee bush (Buddleia davidii)
- Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster sp.)
- Maple japanese (Acer palmatum)
- Alpine lily (Kalmia latifolia)
- Rhododendron (Rhododendron sp.)
- Chinese dogwood (Cornus alba)
- Lilac tree (Liriodendron tulipifera)
- Flower at four o’clock (Mirabilis jalapa)
- Zoneal, bedding, and geranium (Pelargonium x hortorum)
- Mexican adage (Ageratum houstonianum)
- Purple hyssop (Calendula officinalis)
- Spiderflower (Cleome hasslerana)
- Vinca (Catharanthus roseus)
- Begonia wax (Begonia x semperflorens-cultorum)
- Daffodil (Narcissus sp.)
- Hyacinth (Hyacinth orientalis)
- Irani onion (Allium giganteum)
- Asparagus
- Leeks
- Onions
- Potatoes
- Rhubarb
- Spaghetti squash
- Tomatoes
- Basil
- Marjoram
- Mint
- Oregano
- Parsley
- Savory
- Tarragon
Make Your Garden Less Attractive To Invaders
Although it appears like a very simple procedure, if you never bring rabbits inside in the first place, it’s simple to drastically reduce your rabbit population. Only sites that offer protection from predators, such as gardens with low-growing shrubs, surplus brush heaps, dense grass, wayward sheds, and other decaying structures, will support rabbit populations. Removing these elements from your garden enhances the appearance of the area and lowers the possibility of rabbits permanently occupying it.
Add Barrier Fencing To Protect Plants (This is very important!)
The most significant, compassionate, and efficient method of eliminating rabbits is fencing. Although it is useful to fence the entire yard or garden, the most effective technique to prevent rabbits from eating your plants is to surround each one with a chicken wire or mesh fence. It should be effective as long as the fence is installed in a “L” form facing outward and is buried at least a foot underground and at least a foot above ground, which is typically offered by local garden supply stores. When we say “L Shape facing outward,” we imply that the bottom of the fence should be bent (it should be flexible) so that it forms a right angle with the part of the fence that will protrude above the ground. (Ideally, the fence should be positioned 2-3 feet above the ground, particularly in regions where it may snow and the ground may become soft.) The horizontal portion of the “L” ought to be buried and covered with earth. In this manner, the rabbit will have nowhere to go if he attempts to dig under the fence. Chipmunks can be kept out with a graded fence that allows you to reach in to gather your vegetables but has smaller, tighter openings at the bottom and larger holes at the top. Young trees can also have collars put to their trunks to stop rabbit damage.
In general, for fencing to be effective, it must be sturdy and kept up with.
Spray Topical Rabbit Repellent OR Other Spicy Stuff Not Predator Urine
Spraying plants with fungicides, spicy tonics, or repellents that work against unwelcome nibblers is a cheap and effective way to keep rabbits out of your garden. One farmer claims that before she scattered a large amount of the just clipped chives all around the tulips, her tulips were getting trampled, but now she has no issue. Planting rabbits beside whatever you are growing is one possibility (always keep in mind option #1, above), as rabbits don’t enjoy some strong aromas, like onion and garlic. I Must Garden Rabbit Repellent is one commercially available choice for a topical spray, albeit, if your garden is already established. Try combining garlic, red pepper flakes, and jalapeño oil if you want to reduce the number of foreign substances you put in your gardens. (Remember to wash any vegetables before eating them if you don’t want your eyeballs to sizzle like fajitas after you touch your face.)
A substance called thiram, which is deadly to rabbits and is widely used as a beneficial component in herbicides, is usually cited for plants that you don’t intend to consume, such as attractive flowers and shrubs. We must stress that you should not spray trichloram on plants that you want to consume because it is hazardous to people as well. However, this is a very efficient strategy to keep rabbits away from trees, shrubs, and flowers without hurting the plant. You might also try spraying the plants with a mixture of 1 tsp Lysol and 1 gallon of water.
It has long been believed that repelling rabbits can be accomplished by spraying predator urine, such as coyote or fox urine, which is frequently offered in pellet form at your neighborhood garden supply store. Please be aware that this is untrue! Sure, rabbits dislike the smell of predator urine, but these odors are erratic, require regular reapplication, and dissipate fast, especially after rain. And even if you do reapply it, many gardeners claim it is ineffective, and the method of collection is allegedly cruel (think: Coyotes in cages). If you like, try something smelling better: To deter rabbits from entering the garden, the Old Farmer’s Almanac advises distributing Irish Spring soap shavings in small drawstring bags.
Try Trapping Them, If You Don’t Mind The Hassle
The good news is that there are both deadly and live traps offered at many hardware and garden stores, making trapping another efficient method of eliminating rabbits from your yard. Non-lethal traps are sometimes rented for free at humane societies.
Havahart offers a variety of humane solutions for individuals wishing to buy a trap. The most efficient traps are big, raccoon-sized ones (look for a size of about 10 x 12 x 30). After that, set the trap in high-traffic locations and line the bottom with dirt and garbage while baiting it with fresh veggies. Additionally, placing it in the shade is a good idea. The rabbit must be released at a distance of at least 10 miles from your land, otherwise it will come back.
Do bunnies consume zinnias?
Among the plants that rabbits avoid are common zinnias (Zinnia elegans) and lower-growing creeping zinnias (Zinnia angustifolia). Both enjoy spending time in the sun, and from summer till frost, they bloom in every hue but genuine blue.
Do rabbits and deer consume zinnias?
Are zinnia flowers eaten by deer? No, they don’t frequently. But if they’re hungry enough, deer will consume anything. If deer are unable to find other tasty sources, they may consume zinnia blooms. When scouting, they will occasionally chew on those blooms as well. Use deer deterrents, such as repellents, to ensure that deer do not harm your prized blooms. Although zinnia flowers are not among their favorite foods, they can still be included provided certain circumstances are met. Reading More
What varieties of flowers detest rabbits?
Even while gardeners prefer geranium cultivars with a citrus, rose, or other alluring fragrance, they are said to prevent rabbits because to their strong scent. Bushy plants known as zonal geraniums often have spherical, velvety leaves that are banded in dark color. Geraniums benefit from full sun and should have any faded flowers removed to promote reblooming. Many gardeners bring their plants indoors to overwinter; provided they receive adequate sunlight, they will continue to bloom.