How to Protect Your Garden From Those Pesky Rabbits

Rabbits live in both rural and urban areas. Foxes and hawks used to control the rabbit population, but as the habitat of both these predators has been steadily destroyed, rabbits now abound. Rabbits enjoy vegetables, flowers, bushes, and even small trees. Here are some ways that you can control these voracious little vegetarians.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Construct a fence around the area you wish to protect. This fence must be at least three feet high and no space in the fence should be more than 1 1/2 inches wide. Bury the bottom of your fence several inches deep.
   If you are also troubled by deer, your fence must be at least 6 feet high. You could then get a fence with 'critter wiring' on the bottom two feet which would keep out the rabbit population.
   
   The best choice of all is an electric fence. This is a very humane choice as it only takes one or two zaps and the animals learn. I have tested one on myself and what you feel is more a surprise than a pain.
   The electric fence is also ideal if you have dogs as they learn not to jump against the fence and harass your neighbors
   
   Both the critter fence and the electric fence will keep out those marauding raccoons as well.
   
   Correct fencing is the only guaranteed method of keeping rabbits out of your garden. There are, however, several other methods you can try, especially if you only have a few plants to protect.

2. Lead the rabbits away from your choicest plants by planting an area of clover or encouraging the weed plantain (a poultice of which is also good for insect bites). Clover and plantain are two of the favorite foods of rabbits.
   
   Although this may help, you must remember that nearly all animals, when hungry enough, have been known to eat virtually anything.

3. Spray your plants with a home-made rabbit deterrent. Mix one raw egg with about a quart of water. When the mixture begins to smell foul, add a few spoonfuls of Tabasco sauce. (This mixture made with cayenne instead of Tabasco sauce is a good deer deterrent). Spray the mixture on and around the plants you wish to protect.
   
   You can also spray the area around your plants with a mixture of vinegar and liquid chili, or straight animal blood. Animal blood is available from your garden center.
   
   Needless to say spraying will have to be repeated after rain or a dusty wind.

4. Sprinkle the area around your plants with pepper flakes, garlic powder or animal or human hair or better still a combination of hair and one of the other choices. You can get plenty of hair from your hair dresser or pet groomer.
   Some suggest sprinkling kitty litter (used). This is one thing I have never tried.

5. Get a dog and a cat. One will have to be in the yard at all times in order to be a good rabbit-deterrent, so maybe the dog can do days and the cat nights. You will of course need some sort of fence to keep the dog on the property.

6. Remember that the only 100% proven protection against rabbits is a properly constructed fence, preferably electric.
   
   Poisons cannot be regarded as completely effective as they generally do more harm than good.

[highcloud]

on 9/29/2009 Great article. Loaded with good tips. 5*

[alltrails]

on 9/28/2009 Terrific ideas on how to keep rabbits out of your garden. My mother has problems with critters, we'll try this. 5 stars - thanks!

[carolj1]

on 9/27/2009 Fortunately, we are not bothered by rabbits! Thanks for the tips!

[kittykat3]

on 9/24/2009 Really good article on how to protect your garden from those pesky rabbits. 5*

[eveewonder]

on 9/23/2009 Nice article on how to deal with pesky rabbits.