Rabbits cause significant damage to landscaping, targeting young plants, garden vegetables, and ornamental shrubs. They chew through stems and leaves, leaving a sharp, angled cut that distinguishes their feeding from deer damage. Signs of their presence include digging and small, spherical droppings. The most effective management involves safe, non-lethal deterrence methods. This approach focuses on making the property less appealing to rabbits without causing them harm.
Physical Barriers and Exclusion Techniques
The most reliable strategy for preventing rabbit damage involves installing physical barriers to block access to specific areas or entire gardens. A fence made of galvanized chicken wire or hardware cloth is highly effective, but it must stand at least 24 to 36 inches high to prevent rabbits from jumping or burrowing, especially when motivated by food.
To counter their instinct to dig, the barrier’s bottom edge requires attention. Fencing material should be buried a minimum of 6 inches below the soil line and bent outward at a 90-degree angle to create an underground apron. This design makes it difficult for a rabbit attempting to burrow to reach the protected area. For individual, high-value plants like young trees or shrubs, use a cylinder made of 1/4-inch mesh hardware cloth, extending at least 24 inches high and securely anchored to the ground.
Scent and Taste Repellents
Repellents discourage rabbits by creating an unpleasant sensory experience, often combining both smell and taste deterrents. Scent-based repellents, such as those containing predator urine, garlic, or putrescent egg solids, signal danger or an unappealing environment.
Taste-based repellents contain bittering agents or spicy compounds, like capsaicin or thiram, that make the plant unpalatable. These are sprayed directly onto the foliage of ornamental plants and vegetables, but should not be applied to edible parts soon to be harvested. Since rabbits are adaptable, alternating between different types of repellents helps prevent them from becoming accustomed to a single deterrent.
Repellents require diligent reapplication to maintain effectiveness. Rain, watering, and new plant growth dilute or remove the protective layer, necessitating a fresh application every two to four weeks. Treating new growth regularly is important, especially during rapid growth periods in the spring, as this growth is often the most appealing to rabbits. Granular repellents create a barrier around the perimeter of a garden bed, while liquid sprays offer targeted protection for the plants themselves.
Modifying the Yard Environment
Passive deterrence involves altering the landscape to reduce the food and shelter rabbits seek. Rabbits are drawn to areas that provide cover for nesting and resting, making the elimination of potential hiding spots essential to making the yard less attractive.
This modification includes clearing away brush piles, dense weed patches, tall grass, and discarded debris, which offer secure cover. Securing spaces under decks, sheds, or porches with hardware cloth prevents rabbits from establishing nests. Additionally, removing external food sources, such as spilled birdseed, pet food left outdoors, or fallen fruit, reduces the incentive for rabbits to forage on the property.
Understanding Local Wildlife Regulations
Before considering active removal methods, consult local and state wildlife authorities for specific regulations. While deterrence and exclusion are generally permitted, trapping, relocating, or lethal methods are often restricted or illegal without a permit. Many states have specific laws governing the control of nuisance wildlife, including cottontail rabbits.
Some jurisdictions prohibit the relocation of captured wildlife to prevent the spread of disease or the introduction of new animals into an established ecosystem. Certain rabbit species may be protected, or a permit may be required to take any animal outside of a designated hunting season. Checking with the local Department of Natural Resources or a municipal animal control office ensures compliance with all applicable laws.