Rabbits may be cute, but their penchant for nibbling on your prized garden can be a frustrating challenge for any gardener. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore effective strategies on how to keep rabbits out of your garden. From preventing their entry to safely encouraging them to hop away, we’ve got you covered with tips, tricks, and repellent solutions.
Preventing Rabbit Entry
1. Fencing:
- Erecting a sturdy fence is one of the most effective ways to keep rabbits out. Opt for a fence with small openings or bury the bottom to deter burrowing.
2. Natural Barriers:
- Surround vulnerable plants with natural barriers like thorny bushes or prickly plants. Rabbits are less likely to venture into areas with deterrents.
3. Elevate Plants:
- Elevate potted plants or vulnerable vegetation to make it harder for rabbits to reach. Raised beds can also serve as a protective measure.
4. Avoid Certain Plants They Favor:
- Rabbits have a preference for tender young shoots and specific plants. To address this, avoid planting vegetables that they find appealing.
- What Do Rabbits Eat?
- Rabbits are herbivores and enjoy consuming a variety of plants. They have a particular fondness for tender greens, vegetables, and young shoots. Commonly favored plants include lettuce, broccoli, peas, beans, and certain flowers.
- Flowers Rabbits Favor:
- Rabbits may be attracted to certain flowers in your garden. Species like pansies, petunias, and sweet peas are often favored by rabbits.
- Alternative Flowers:
- If you want to deter rabbits, consider planting flowers that are less appealing to them. Some alternatives include:
- Marigolds: These vibrant flowers have a strong scent that rabbits tend to avoid.
- Lavender: The aromatic fragrance of lavender is pleasant to humans but tends to repel rabbits.
- Snapdragons: These tall flowers with vibrant colors are less appealing to rabbits.
- Geraniums: With their distinctive scent, geraniums are often a rabbit-resistant choice.
- If you want to deter rabbits, consider planting flowers that are less appealing to them. Some alternatives include:
Tips on Getting Rabbits Out
1. Human Presence:
- Rabbits are naturally wary of humans. Regularly spend time in your garden to discourage them from making it their grazing territory.
2. Use Scents:
- Sprinkle human hair, garlic, or pepper around the garden. The strong scents can deter rabbits and make your garden less appealing.
3. Motion-Activated Devices:
- Invest in motion-activated sprinklers or lights. Sudden movements or bursts of water can startle rabbits, convincing them to seek a less unsettling location.
Different Strategies for Rabbit Deterrence
Rabbit-Resistant Repellent Plants:
- Plant rabbit-resistant species alongside more susceptible plants. Strong-smelling herbs like rosemary and sage can act as natural repellents. Marigolds, geraniums, and lavender are examples of plants with scents that repel rabbits.
- Agastache (Hyssop): This aromatic herb is known for its strong scent, deterring rabbits from nearby plants.
- Catmint (Nepeta): With a strong aroma, catmint is often avoided by rabbits.
- Daffodils: These spring-blooming flowers are generally unpalatable to rabbits.
- Forsythia: The woody shrub forsythia is less appealing to rabbits due to its bitter taste.
- Yarrow (Achillea): Yarrow has a pungent scent that can help repel rabbits.
- Bee Balm (Monarda): Known for its fragrant leaves, bee balm is often resistant to rabbit feeding.
Mulching:
- Apply mulch around plants. Rabbits often avoid areas with a thick layer of mulch, as it can be uncomfortable for them to traverse.
DIY Repellents
1. Hot Pepper Spray:
- Create a homemade spray using water, crushed red pepper, and dish soap. Spray it on plants, as the spicy scent deters rabbits.
2. Garlic Barrier:
- Blend garlic with water and spray it on plants. The strong odor serves as a deterrent.
3. Vinegar Solution:
- Mix white vinegar with water and spray it on plants. Rabbits dislike the smell and taste of vinegar.
Store-Bought Repellents
1. Commercial Rabbit Repellent Sprays:
There are several commercially available rabbit repellent sprays that you can purchase from stores. These products are formulated to deter rabbits from feeding on plants in your garden. Keep in mind that the effectiveness of these sprays can vary, and it’s a good idea to follow the application instructions provided on the product packaging. Here are a few examples of rabbit repellent sprays commonly found in stores:
- Liquid Fence Deer & Rabbit Repellent:
- Liquid Fence offers a variety of repellent products, and their Deer & Rabbit Repellent is specifically formulated to deter these animals. It usually contains a mixture of natural ingredients that emit odors unpleasant to rabbits.
- Safer Brand Critter Ridder Animal Repellent Ready-to-Use Spray:
- Safer Brand offers Critter Ridder, a ready-to-use spray that is designed to repel various animals, including rabbits. It often contains natural ingredients like pepper and putrescent egg solids.
- Bionide Go Away Animal Repellent Liquid for Deer & Rabbits:
- Crafted from Cayenne Pepper and capsaicin, Go Away! Animal Repellent serves as an irritant, inducing a burning sensation that renders your garden undesirable to rabbits and deer.
2. Granular Repellents:
- Spread granular repellents around your garden. These products emit scents or tastes that rabbits find unpleasant. Just like sprays granules have different levels of success, here’s a few we recommend:
- Bonide Go Away Animal Repellent Granules For Deer and Rabbits:
- This durable and user-friendly solution safeguards your lawn, garden, flower beds, and other areas from various troublesome creatures. Go Away serves as a natural repellent, deterring deer and rabbits.
- Shake-Away Fox Urine Animal Repellent Granules For Small Critter:
- Shake-Away Fox Urine Granules offer a potent, natural, and harmless solution for deterring rabbits, groundhogs, possums, woodchucks, and various small critters. This works simple tricking prey animals like rabbits into believing predators are nearby and to avoid the area.
3. Ultrasonic Devices:
- Invest in ultrasonic devices that emit sounds only audible to rabbits. These devices can effectively deter them from your garden.
Protecting your garden from curious rabbits involves a combination of preventive measures, strategic planning, and the use of effective repellents. By implementing these strategies, you can create a garden space that not only thrives but remains a less attractive option for furry intruders. Experiment with different methods to find the combination that works best for your unique gardening environment. Happy gardening!