How to Humanely Keep Rabbits Out of a Garden
Although cute and fuzzy, rabbits can be a nuisance for gardeners. They help themselves to vegetables and plants, threatening your garden's yield. Some gardeners resort to deadly traps and harmful poisons to get rid of a rabbits. Such cruel measures are not necessary. There are many ways to humanely keep rabbits out of a garden. Practicing effective repelling methods will ensure that your garden flourishes. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Fence
- Natural predator urine
- Ultrasonic repellent
- Cayenne pepper
- Humane traps
- Rabbit-repelling plants
Instructions
-
Keeping Rabbits Out of Your Garden
-
1
Install a fence around the circumference of your garden. Expensive fences are not necessary; just be sure that it is about 2 to 3 feet tall and extends at least 6 inches into the ground. Your fence dimensions and in-ground depth will ensure intruding rabbits can not jump or burrow into your garden.
-
2
Spread urine from specific animals around your garden. Rabbits stay away from areas with scents of animals such as foxes, cats and dogs. Fox urine can be purchased at home and garden stores or online.
-
-
3
Install an ultrasonic rabbit-repelling device. Such a device emits ultrasonic tones that are unbearable to rabbits and other small pests. Ultrasonic pest repellents can be purchased at home and garden stores or online.
-
4
Mix 1/4 cup of cayenne pepper with 2 cups of water and one egg. Pour into a spray bottle and let it sit for 12 hours. Spray the mixture in and around your garden. Cayenne pepper's potent heat and strong scent will naturally deter rabbits from your garden.
-
5
Place a few catch-and-release traps near your garden. Such traps are a humane alternative to the deadly, leg-hold traps. Typically, they work by luring a rabbit inside where the door closes behind them and they have no exit. Once a rabbit has been trapped, relocate it to an area far from your garden.
-
6
Plant specific rabbit-deterring plants throughout your garden, such as oregano, sage, echinacea, and yarrow. A combination of these plants in your garden is an effective way to deter rabbits; however when food is scarce, they may make an exception.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
To keep the scent of a predator fresh, consider training your dog to urinate near your garden.
When using a catch-and-release trap, keep your fingers away from any part of the cage where you could be bitten.
References
- Photo Credit Hemera Technologies/Photos.com/Getty Images
