How to Keep Rabbits From Eating Perennials

Rabbits enjoy nourishing themselves with your perennial flowers.

Rabbits are cute and enjoyable to watch until they begin to wreak havoc on your perennial flower garden. Rabbits enjoy feasting on tender flower heads and leaves and will leave your beautiful flowering perennials as nothing more than bare stems by the time they finish eating. There are many ways in which to keep rabbits from eating your perennials. Humane, home remedies are some of the most cost-effective ways in which to deter rabbits, ensuring you are able to enjoy your perennials as they bloom.

Things You'll Need

• Coyote urine
• Bucket
• 2 tbsp. cayenne pepper flakes
• Strips of cotton cloth
• String
• Scarecrow
• Aluminum

Instructions

1. Purchase coyote urine at a local hardware store or plant nursery. Sprinkle the coyote urine around the perennials the rabbits are eating. Reapply the urine after rain or a thorough watering.

2. 

   Hot pepper solution makes a taste repellent that keeps rabbits from eating perennials.

   Mix 1 gallon water and 2 tbsp. cayenne pepper flakes in a bucket. Allow the hot pepper mixture to steep overnight.

3. Soak strips of old cloth in the hot pepper solution. Pour some of the hot pepper solution on and around your perennials. Tie strings onto the pepper-soaked cloth strips and hang the strips around your perennial garden to repel rabbits with the smell and movement.

4. 

   A scarecrow with movable parts will deter rabbits from entering your perennial bed.

   Put a scarecrow in your garden that has arms and legs that easily move with the wind. Tie pieces of aluminum foil to the scarecrow, as well, to scare rabbits away with the shiny foil and movement of the scarecrow and foil together.

Tips & Warnings

• Substitute any predator urine, such as fox or human, for the coyote urine.

• Motion-sensitive lights can also be used to deter rabbits.

• Put your dog out when rabbits are most active. Dogs are natural and effective rabbit deterrents.

• Avoiding wiping your face or eyes when working with any type of hot pepper solution. Any residual oils from the peppers can cause a burning sensation on your skin or in your eyes. Wash hands thoroughly or wear rubber gloves when working with pepper solutions.

References

• National Gardening Association: Living With Urban Wildlife Pests: Repellents
• Arizone Cooperative Extension: Backyard Gardener: Prevent Rabbit Damage
• Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences: Cottontail Rabbits: Repellents: On Consumable & Non-Consumable Plants