How to Stop Rabbits From Eating Hostas
Rabbits are an occasional hosta pest in areas where wild rabbits are present. They may eat the tender young hosta shoots in the spring just as the growing season begins. Rabbits may also eat the flower shoots of a hosta plant later in the season. To deter rabbits from consuming hosta plants, enclose the young plants in a cage. Leave the cage up -- to deter deer and other, more persistent pests -- throughout the rest of the year. In many cases, however, "nibble" damage attributed to rabbits and deer may actually be caused by snails and slugs. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
-
-
1
Use a trowel or hoe to dig a shallow trench, 3 inches deep, around the hosta -- or a clump of hostas, if you have many. For a single plant the trench should be at least 2 feet in diameter so you don't disturb the roots of the plant. Do this in the early spring as vegetation begins to emerge.
-
2
Insert the hardware cloth into and around the trench, on its side, so the ends overlap. The top of the cloth should be at least 1 foot above the sprouting hosta plant.
-
-
3
Use your hands to fill in the trench and firm the soil around the hardware cloth.
-
4
Insert a zip tie through the mesh of the hardware cloth in a spot where the edges overlap, 6 inches from the ground. Close the zip tie. Repeat with the other zip tie, 6 inches above the first one.
-
5
Leave the cage around the hostas until early to middle summer, when the initial growing season is over and rabbits are no longer interested in the hosta. You can also leave the cages up to deter deer or squirrels.
-
6
Look for snails and slugs too, given that they are the most common cause of hosta pest damage. Various snail baits will help deter them.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Liquid fence products can also be effective in deterring rabbits, according to University of Illinois Extension, though they need to be reapplied after rain and irrigation.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/liquidlibrary/Getty Images
