The appearance of damage in a garden can be frustrating, especially when the culprit is a common herbivore like the rabbit. These small mammals possess a voracious appetite that can quickly reduce tender plants and young shrubs to mere stubs. Successfully protecting your landscape requires a multi-layered strategy that identifies the specific pest and implements proven physical, chemical, and biological defenses. This approach ensures your garden remains a thriving space, rather than a convenient buffet for passing wildlife.
How to Know Rabbits Are the Problem
Accurately identifying the pest is the first step toward effective deterrence, as rabbit damage often gets confused with feeding from deer or voles. Rabbits leave a distinctive mark on vegetation because their sharp incisor teeth create clean, angled cuts on stems, unlike the ragged, torn edges left by deer, who lack upper incisors. This damage is typically found close to the ground, usually within two feet of the soil surface, targeting low-growing plants, seedlings, and the bark of young trees.
Look for secondary signs, such as their droppings, which are small, round pellets resembling peas, often dark brown or black. These pellets are generally scattered around the feeding site, providing clear evidence of the rabbit’s presence. Finding these droppings along with cleanly clipped stems confirms that rabbits are responsible for the damage.
Exclusion Methods for Long-Term Protection
Physical barriers remain the most reliable method for long-term rabbit control, offering permanent protection from browsing damage. A successful rabbit fence must address both the animal’s ability to jump and its instinct to burrow beneath obstacles. The barrier should stand at least two feet high, which is sufficient to deter most rabbits from attempting to leap over the enclosure.
The mesh material used should be galvanized chicken wire or hardware cloth with openings no larger than one inch, preventing even young rabbits from squeezing through. The fence must be secured beneath the ground to block burrowing attempts. The wire should extend six to ten inches below the soil line and be bent outward into an “L” shape, extending six inches away from the protected area. This outward bend makes it virtually impossible for a rabbit to dig directly under the fence and access the plants inside.
For individual plants, especially vulnerable young trees or shrubs, a protective sleeve made of hardware cloth can be wrapped around the trunk. These wire cylinders should also be buried a few inches into the soil to prevent gnawing damage near the base. This is especially important during winter when food is scarce and rabbits may girdle the bark. Proper installation offers a durable solution that requires minimal maintenance once established.
Utilizing Scent and Taste Deterrents
When permanent fencing is impractical, gardeners can employ scent and taste deterrents to make plants unappealing to rabbits. Taste deterrents are applied directly to the foliage and often contain bittering agents or ingredients like putrescent egg solids, which create an offensive flavor when the rabbit attempts to feed. Hot pepper or garlic mixtures can also be used, making the treated plant undesirable.
Scent deterrents operate by signaling danger or disrupting the rabbit’s ability to forage comfortably. These may include commercial products containing predator urine, such as that from foxes or coyotes, which suggests a threat is nearby. Strong, pungent odors from household items like garlic or heavily scented soap can also be placed around the perimeter to create an unwelcoming environment.
Effectiveness relies heavily on consistent reapplication, as their potency diminishes quickly with rain or irrigation. Rabbits can become accustomed to a single deterrent over time, meaning it is necessary to rotate between different products or active ingredients to maintain efficacy. Combining both scent and taste deterrents creates a more robust, multi-sensory defense against persistent feeding.
Choosing Plants Rabbits Usually Avoid
A preventative strategy involves selecting plants that rabbits naturally find less palatable, often due to physical or chemical properties. Rabbits generally avoid plants that possess strong aromatic oils, such as herbs like lavender, rosemary, and catmint. The presence of these intense odors can overwhelm their sensitive sense of smell, deterring them from feeding.
Plants with a rough, fuzzy, or hairy texture, known as pubescence, are often bypassed by rabbits, who prefer smooth, tender foliage. Examples include Lamb’s Ear or certain varieties of yarrow. Many members of the onion family, such as ornamental allium, are avoided because they contain compounds that are mildly toxic and taste unpleasant.
While these plants are considered rabbit-resistant, no plant is completely rabbit-proof. If food sources become scarce, rabbits will often sample nearly any available vegetation, including species they would normally avoid. Using resistant plants as a biological border around highly favored crops can reduce the overall appeal of a garden space.