The sudden disappearance of pansy blooms and foliage is a common frustration for gardeners, signaling the presence of rabbits. These animals are particularly drawn to pansies because they offer young, tender shoots and soft, palatable leaves throughout the growing season. This preference makes pansy beds a frequent target, often leading to clean, 45-degree cuts on the stems characteristic of rabbit feeding. Protecting these popular annuals requires a multi-faceted approach, combining physical exclusion with taste and scent barriers.
Installing Physical Barriers
The most effective way to prevent rabbits from accessing pansies is through exclusion using physical barriers. For protecting an entire flower bed, a fence constructed of hardware cloth or woven wire is the most dependable solution. The wire mesh should be one inch or smaller to prevent smaller rabbits from squeezing through the openings.
The fence must be at least 24 to 36 inches tall, as rabbits can stand on their hind legs to reach foliage above the ground. Preventing rabbits from digging under the barrier requires special attention to the base of the fence. This can be achieved by burying the bottom edge of the wire six inches deep into the soil.
A more straightforward method is to bend the bottom six inches of the wire outward, creating an L-shaped flap that lies flat on the ground outside the protected area. This outwardly directed flange discourages rabbits from burrowing directly next to the fence line. For individual pansies or small groupings, temporary wire cages, sometimes called cloches, can be placed directly over the plants. These barriers should be anchored to the ground using garden staples to ensure rabbits cannot push them aside to access the foliage.
Using Taste and Scent Deterrents
While physical barriers offer guaranteed protection, taste and scent deterrents are useful for broad area coverage or when fencing is impractical. Commercial rabbit repellents often employ a dual-action mechanism to discourage browsing. These products typically contain ingredients designed to trigger a fear response or create an unpleasant taste.
One effective scent-based ingredient is putrescent whole egg solids, which mimics the odor of a decaying animal. This odor suggests a predator is nearby, instinctively making the area feel unsafe for rabbits to linger and feed. Another common component is capsaicin, the compound responsible for the heat in chili peppers. Capsaicin acts as a taste irritant, deterring the rabbit when it attempts to sample the treated pansy foliage.
The efficacy of these chemical deterrents depends entirely on consistent maintenance and reapplication. Repellents lose potency over time due to environmental factors, necessitating renewal after heavy rainfall or overhead watering. Granular formulas, which are often used for perimeter treatment, can provide longer-lasting protection but must be visible to remain effective. For liquid sprays applied directly to the pansies, treatment should occur every seven to ten days or immediately following precipitation to maintain a continuous, aversive barrier.
Making Your Yard Less Inviting to Rabbits
A long-term strategy for managing rabbit damage involves modifying the landscape to remove potential havens and nesting sites. Rabbits are prey animals that prefer to feed in areas where they have immediate access to protective cover. Eliminating dense brush piles, low-growing shrubbery, and overgrown weed patches near the garden perimeter reduces the perceived safety of the area. This practice forces rabbits to expose themselves to potential predators, making them less likely to establish a permanent presence close to your pansies.
Securing access points beneath structures like sheds, porches, or decks is also productive, as these dark, sheltered spaces are frequently used for nesting. Blocking these gaps with buried wire mesh or solid materials removes the convenience of a nearby safe retreat. Reducing the availability of preferred shelter encourages the local rabbit population to seek refuge and forage elsewhere.