How to Use Hot Pepper to Get Rid of Rabbits in a Garden

If you're a gardener, chances are you are already well acquainted with rabbits. Rabbits are not picky eaters and devour any plant they can find. To them, gardens are giant salad bars. To gardeners, there isn’t a way to get rid of these furry freeloaders fast enough. Garden centers sell formulas to repel rabbits, but they can be expensive and ineffective. By combining some common household ingredients with some ground and fresh hot pepper, you can make your own cost-effective concoctions to keep these crafty bunnies at bay.

Things You'll Need

• Talcum powder
• Ground hot pepper
• Plastic container
• Fresh jalapeño or cayenne peppers
• Food processor
• Cheesecloth
• Spray bottle
• Vegetable oil
• White glue
• Dish soap

Instructions

Pepper Powder

1. Combine equal amounts of talcum powder and ground hot pepper in a plastic container.

2. Put the lid on the container and shake well.

3. Sprinkle the mixture around your plants and around the perimeter of the garden. Reapply every few days or after rain.

Pepper Spray

1. Place several fresh peppers, either jalapeño or cayenne, into a food processor with a little bit of water.

2. Strain the pepper mixture with a cheesecloth, and pour the liquid into an 8 oz. spray bottle.

3. Add 2 tbsp. of vegetable oil, 1 tsp. of white glue and five drops of liquid dish soap.

4. Fill the rest of the spray bottle with water, and shake well before spraying the mixture on and around the plants.

5. Reapply the spray after a rain or when new growth begins to appear.

References

• Recipe Goldmine: Powder/Pepper Repellent
• North Dakota State University Extension Service: Rabbit Questions