Rabbits view a neatly manicured lawn as an all-you-can-eat buffet, and their consistent grazing can quickly destroy the uniform appearance of your grass. These herbivores are drawn to the tender new growth, often clipping the blades down to the crown. Dealing with rabbit damage requires a proactive, multi-layered approach to protect your yard. This article details practical, humane methods, ranging from physical obstructions to environmental modification, to safeguard your turf.
Implementing Physical Barriers
Physical exclusion is the most reliable method to prevent rabbits from accessing your lawn. A properly constructed perimeter fence acts as a barrier, superior to relying solely on repellents or habitat modification. The fence material must be a galvanized wire mesh, such as chicken wire or hardware cloth, with openings no larger than one inch to prevent young rabbits from squeezing through.
The barrier needs to be at least 24 to 36 inches high above the ground, as rabbits can easily jump over shorter obstructions. Preventing rabbits from burrowing underneath the fence is the most important step, as this is their primary method of bypassing a surface barrier. To counter this, the fencing material must be buried approximately six inches deep into the soil.
The buried portion should be bent outward, away from the protected area, into an “L” shape that extends horizontally for another six inches. When a rabbit attempts to dig under the fence, it encounters this horizontal wire apron just below the surface, which immediately deters further digging. For small, temporary patches of new grass or vulnerable flower beds, a simple wire cloche or row cover can provide immediate protection until the plants are more established.
Using Taste and Scent Repellents
Repellents exploit a rabbit’s sensitive senses, making the treated grass unappealing or the area feel unsafe. Commercial liquid repellents often contain putrescent egg solids, which emit a sulfurous odor mimicking a predator, triggering an instinctive fear response. Other taste-based repellents utilize capsaicin, the compound found in chili peppers, which causes a temporary burning sensation upon taking a bite.
These liquid products are applied directly to the grass blades and surrounding vegetation, creating a protective coating that deters feeding. Granular repellents, scattered around the lawn’s perimeter, frequently use ingredients like dried blood meal or garlic powder, relying on strong scents to create an olfactory barrier. The primary limitation of any repellent is its longevity.
Repellents require frequent reapplication, especially after heavy rain or watering, because moisture washes away the active ingredients. Effectiveness naturally degrades over time, often needing re-treatment every two to three weeks to maintain a deterrent effect. Furthermore, persistent rabbits may become accustomed to the unpleasant taste or smell if they are highly motivated by hunger.
Making the Yard Less Appealing
Discouraging rabbits involves eliminating the places where they feel safe to hide and breed. Rabbits are prey animals, seeking out dense cover and sheltered spots to rest and raise their young. Removing potential daytime cover makes the area feel more exposed and threatening, reducing the likelihood they will frequent your lawn.
Habitat modification includes clearing away brush piles, stacks of lumber, low-hanging dense shrubs, and areas of tall weeds or debris. Keeping the lawn consistently mowed and tidy removes the necessary cover for a rabbit to feel secure while resting or traveling. Rabbits often seek shelter beneath existing structures like garden sheds, porches, or decks for nesting.
Inspect and secure these structures by sealing any gaps or openings with heavy-duty hardware cloth that extends at least six inches into the ground. Managing other attractants also helps, such as cleaning up fallen birdseed. A reduction in available shelter and food sources encourages the rabbits to move elsewhere.