Rabbits can quickly become a significant problem by damaging ornamental plants, consuming vegetable harvests, and gnawing on the bark of young trees and shrubs. Their feeding habits, characterized by clean, 45-degree cuts on stems, often target tender new growth within three feet of the ground. Successfully excluding these animals requires a comprehensive strategy that combines physical barriers, sensory deterrents, and modifications to the landscape itself. A multi-pronged, humane approach is the most effective method for long-term control.
Building Effective Physical Barriers
Physical fencing is the most dependable method for preventing rabbit access to vulnerable areas, such as vegetable gardens or flower beds. The barrier material should be galvanized wire mesh or hardware cloth, as rabbits can easily chew through plastic or fiberglass. The mesh openings must be small, ideally one inch or less, to prevent young rabbits from squeezing through.
The fence height needs to be at least 24 inches, though 36 inches is often recommended to account for snow accumulation or highly motivated animals. A fence standing two to three feet high should be supported by sturdy stakes to maintain tension. Since rabbits are natural burrowers, the fence must also be secured underground to prevent them from digging underneath the perimeter.
To counter digging, bury the bottom six inches of the wire mesh into the soil. A more robust technique involves bending the bottom six inches of the barrier outward, creating an “L” shape that is then buried just below the surface. This outward-facing flange prevents a rabbit attempting to burrow next to the fence from continuing its downward path. For individual young trees or shrubs, install a cylinder of half-inch mesh hardware cloth several inches away from the trunk and press it slightly into the soil.
Utilizing Repellents and Scaring Tactics
Repellents offer a supplementary method to discourage rabbits by targeting their senses of taste and smell. These products are categorized into two main types: contact repellents and area repellents. Contact repellents are taste-based, applied directly to plants to make them unpalatable, often using ingredients like capsaicin or dried blood.
Area repellents work by creating an unpleasant odor that signals danger or makes the environment seem unsafe. Common active ingredients include putrescent egg solids, which mimic the smell of decaying animal matter, or strong scents like garlic oil and peppermint oil. Granular repellents containing dried blood or meat meal are scattered around the perimeter, triggering a fear response.
The effectiveness of repellents is limited by environmental factors and the need for consistent reapplication. They must be reapplied frequently, especially after rainfall or when new plant growth emerges, as untreated foliage becomes vulnerable. Scare tactics, such as motion-activated sprinklers or flashing lights, may provide short-term deterrence. However, rabbits are intelligent and quickly become accustomed to these disturbances, making them ineffective as a standalone, long-term solution.
Modifying the Landscape to Discourage Rabbits
Adjusting the environment to make it less appealing for shelter and foraging provides a passive, long-term method of rabbit control. Rabbits seek out areas that offer dense cover to hide from predators. Eliminating or reducing these safe zones, such as brush piles or low-lying areas under decks, significantly reduces the attractiveness of the yard.
Maintaining an open space around garden beds forces rabbits to forage in exposed areas, increasing their perceived risk. Another effective modification involves strategically managing available food sources. While no plant is truly rabbit-proof, incorporating rabbit-resistant species can reduce overall damage. These species often have strong scents, fuzzy leaves, or milky sap.
Planting herbs like rosemary, thyme, or lavender, or perennials such as yarrow and astilbe, provides options that rabbits tend to avoid. If highly favored plants like clover or young saplings are present, they should be protected with individual wire guards or require more intensive protective measures. By reducing available cover and planting less palatable species, the landscape becomes significantly less hospitable for rabbits.