The presence of rabbits can quickly turn a lush garden or manicured lawn into a landscape of gnawed bark, clipped plants, and shallow burrows. These small herbivores possess a voracious appetite that challenges homeowners trying to protect ornamental plants and vegetable yields. Controlling rabbit damage requires a multi-pronged, non-lethal strategy focused on exclusion, deterrence, and habitat modification. The most successful methods make the protected area physically inaccessible or unappealing for feeding and shelter.
Creating Physical Barriers
The most reliable way to prevent rabbits from accessing specific plants or garden areas is the installation of physical barriers. A permanent fence should be at least 2 to 3 feet tall, as rabbits can easily stand on their hind legs or jump over short obstacles. The mesh size of the barrier is equally important, requiring small openings of 1 inch or less to exclude even smaller rabbits.
The primary challenge with fencing is the rabbit’s tendency to burrow, making a buried barrier necessary for complete exclusion. To prevent digging underneath, the bottom edge of the wire mesh must be buried at least 6 inches deep and bent outward in an L-shape that extends horizontally for an additional 6 inches. For newly planted trees or individual shrubs, temporary protection can be provided by wrapping the trunk with hardware cloth or creating protective cages around the base.
Applying Scent and Taste Deterrents
Chemical and organic repellents work by appealing to the rabbit’s highly sensitive sense of smell and taste, making treated plants undesirable for consumption. These products are categorized as either area repellents, which use scent to deter rabbits from an entire zone, or contact repellents, which are applied directly to plants and produce a foul taste. Common active ingredients in commercial deterrents include putrescent egg solids, which mimic the smell of decay or predator waste, and capsaicin, the compound that gives chili peppers their heat.
Granular products containing ingredients like dried blood, garlic oil, or white pepper are spread around the perimeter of a garden bed to create a scent barrier that triggers a fear response. Liquid spray formulations, which may incorporate sticking agents, are applied directly to foliage, coating the leaves with an unpalatable taste. Frequent reapplication is necessary for both types, especially after heavy rain or overhead watering, and rotating different repellent types prevents rabbits from becoming accustomed to a single deterrent.
Adjusting the Environment to Discourage Rabbits
Beyond direct physical and chemical measures, modifying the yard’s overall environment can significantly reduce its appeal as a rabbit habitat. Rabbits seek out areas that offer both accessible food sources and secure shelter from predators and weather. Removing dense, low-growing vegetation, brush piles, and debris eliminates potential hiding spots and nesting sites.
Mowing tall grass regularly and sealing off access underneath structures like sheds or low decks removes the protective cover rabbits rely on for safety. Strategic planting is another long-term approach that relies on the animal’s natural aversion to certain plant characteristics. Rabbits avoid plants with strong, pungent scents (such as allium, lavender, and rosemary), bitter tastes, fuzzy leaves, or toxic properties.