Rabbits enter yards and gardens searching for shelter and readily available food. Since rabbits are prolific breeders, their population can quickly increase, leading to significant damage to ornamental plants, vegetable patches, and young trees. They are attracted to properties offering easy access to tender vegetation and safe, hidden spaces for nesting. Establishing an effective management strategy requires physical barriers, environmental modification, and, sometimes, direct intervention.
Physical Exclusion Methods
The most reliable, long-term solution for managing rabbits is installing physical barriers to prevent access to damaged areas. Fencing is highly effective, but it must address both a rabbit’s ability to jump and its instinct to dig. A successful fence requires a specific structure to be rabbit-proof.
The barrier should stand at least 30 inches tall above the ground to deter rabbits from hopping over it. Use galvanized hardware cloth, not chicken wire, because hardware cloth is made from thicker wire and has a smaller mesh, typically 1/2-inch or less. This smaller mesh size prevents young rabbits from squeezing through and resists chewing.
Preventing entry from underneath the fence is just as important as the height. The barrier must extend below the soil line, with the bottom edge buried at least 6 inches deep. For maximum effectiveness, the buried portion should be bent outward, away from the protected area, into an “L” shape. This outward-facing flange prevents rabbits from successfully tunneling directly under the fence line.
For protecting single plants, raised beds, or small, high-value areas, individual cages or netting can be used. Cylindrical wire guards made of hardware cloth should be placed around the base of young trees and shrubs, extending high enough to prevent winter bark gnawing. These micro-barriers ensure vulnerable plants are safe, even if rabbits enter the general yard area.
Habitat Modification and Repellents
While physical barriers prevent access, modifying the environment can make your yard less appealing, encouraging rabbits to seek shelter elsewhere. Rabbits are drawn to areas that provide dense cover for nesting and hiding from predators. Removing brush piles, stacks of wood, dense weed patches, and debris eliminates potential safe havens where rabbits can establish residence.
Sealing off access points under structures like decks, sheds, or porches removes favored, protected nesting sites. Before blocking these entrances with hardware cloth, ensure no rabbits are currently trapped inside. Eliminating standing food sources also reduces the yard’s appeal, which includes cleaning up dropped fruit and ensuring pet food or water bowls are not left outside overnight.
Repellents work by creating an unpleasant taste or smell that discourages rabbits from feeding on treated vegetation. Commercial products often utilize putrescent whole egg solids, which rabbits find offensive, or a combination of garlic and thyme oil to create a sensory barrier. Homemade solutions often rely on ingredients like hot pepper wax or mixtures containing garlic and dish soap.
Repellents must be applied directly to the plants being protected, not just the soil. Because they are external treatments, they lose effectiveness over time and are easily washed away by precipitation. For continuous protection, reapplication is necessary, especially after significant rainfall or heavy watering, typically every three to four weeks.
Handling Persistent Rabbit Problems
When exclusion and environmental modification methods prove insufficient against a persistent population, more active measures may be necessary. Live trapping is an option for removal, but this requires careful consideration of local regulations. Cage traps, measuring at least 24 inches long, can be baited with items rabbits are currently eating, such as fresh apple slices, carrots, or leafy greens.
Before setting any trap, check state and local wildlife laws, as regulations regarding the trapping, relocation, or euthanasia of nuisance wildlife vary widely. Some jurisdictions prohibit the relocation of wild animals entirely, while others require specific permits or only allow trapping during certain seasons. Traps must be checked daily to ensure the humane treatment of any captured animal.
Another approach is to encourage natural predators, although this is considered an unreliable method for control. While the presence of domestic dogs, owls, or hawks can deter rabbits, these natural controls are not dependable enough to guarantee a rabbit-free environment. For situations that cannot be managed with barriers or personal trapping, hiring a professional wildlife control service is often the most effective and legally compliant option. These professionals have the knowledge and permits to remove animals and provide expert advice on preventative sealing and exclusion techniques.