Learn tips for creating your most beautiful (and bountiful) garden ever. Modifying your yard to make it less hospitable for rabbits is not practical for most of us. Rabbit control in the home garden is essential to having something to harvest. Humane Methods of Wild Rabbit Control. Roger Harris is a freelance writer and former licensed pest control specialist. Long-term control involves an initial effort to reduce rabbit numbers then destroying warrens and removing harbour (e.g. If control must be carried out during the breeding season, use warren ripping or fumigation. Although rabbits can be cute as pets or even hopping across an empty field, undomesticated or wild rabbits can cause a lot of damage to gardens and landscaping. To be most effective, apply deterrents at the end of the day. There are three primary methods of rabbit-proofing that has been effective for many homeowners. fallen logs, blackberry bushes) to prevent re-establishment in the same location. Since there is always more than one rabbit, trapping is not a practical option. England (excluding the City of London and Isles of Scilly) was declared a rabbit clearance area under the Pests Act 1954. Rabbit populations usually take many years to recover from a thorough warren destruction program. Rabbits usually enter gardens from adjoining common land, farms or woods. How Can You Control Them in the Least-Toxic Way? To be effective, rabbit control should be conducted in an integrated way, which means adopting a range of complementary control strategies in cooperation with neighbouring landholders. If you routinely get several feet of snow, make your fencing higher. In the wild, rabbits spend a lot of time foraging. By Webmaster. If your bunny has a good-sized hutch and run (as all rabbits should have), scatter the food on the floor or in the grass rather than in a bowl. This video shows how to control rabbits using poison baiting. Rabbits have continuously growing teeth. The Spruce uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. If an animal is hungry or even too young to know better, they will munch on anything. The use of rabbit traps play an important role in controlling rabbit populations. … It is best to prevent rabbits getting a cold. You must control rabbits on your land in this area. Remember that snow cover will allow the rabbits to reach higher up on the plants. Many favorite rabbit plants can be found in the vegetable garden. Rabbits love hiding away. Introducing "One Thing": A New Video Series. During the day, they hide in depressions in the soil or beneath bushes. One-off efforts produce only short-term results as rabbits may produce many offspring and populations can recover quickly even after successful control programs. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful (and bountiful) garden ever. Rabbits don’t like jumping. Their scraping ruins lawns and pitches. The Common Rabbit. This device can either be powered with the supplied AC adapter or batteries (not included). Indianapolis Rabbit Removal and Control 317-847-6409 Ways to Get Rid of Rabbits Around Your Yard. Rabbits do most of their feeding in the evening and into the night. But for you, bunnies translates into a lost crop. To a gardener, there's nothing "cute" about rabbits. It would be nice if we could just figure out what rabbits avoid and place that throughout our yards. Control with gas You should use someone trained in the use of gassing products if you choose this method of control. how to control rabbits. It originated from the Palearctic region of the world, particularly from the southwestern regions of Europe (Portugal and Spain) and from the northwestern regions of Africa (Algeria and Morocco). Deer, on the other hand, have no upper front teeth and must twist woody stems, leaving a ragged cut on the plant. They are particularly fond of tender young shoots and dark, leafy greens. Bend the bottom of the fencing at a 90-degree angle, facing outward, and bury it 3-6 inches deep. Rabbits are considered pests under the Pests Act 1954, and all … By using The Spruce, you accept our. The clearest sign of rabbit lawn damage is actually seeing the little critters hopping around your garden and yard. The hole openings should be no more than 1-inch wide. Browse by pest. Any repellent is going to need to be applied repeatedly throughout the growing season. And keep the fencing several inches from the trunk of the plant. See the HSE information sheet 'gassing of rabbits and vertebrate pests' for more information. Rabbits that are common in the United States range from the house cat-sized jackrabbit to its smaller cousins, the cottontails and brush rabbits, which are about 12 inches long. Rabbits are more relaxed with the wind blowing from the hedges out towards them as they feed. This opens the tree to disease and insect infestation and can effectively kill a young tree. They can be used in a variety of locations, but an evergreen operative will access the suitability during initial site visit. Read More. This site provides many rabbit control articles and strategies, if you wish to attempt to solve the problem yourself. Clover seed is often available next to the grass seed. The Spruce / Micah Issitt and Adrienne Legault. A second application may be necessary to counteract excessive repellent weathering or to protect new spring growth. Marie Iannotti is an author, photographer, and speaker with 27 years of experience as a Cornell Cooperative Extension Horticulture Educator and Master Gardener. The product is sprayed on seedling plants and trees immediately after planting. If you have a problem with rabbits, you are going to need to fence in your vegetable garden. 2. In my yard, pansies, hydrangeas, blueberry stems, pea plants, bean plants, young pepper plants, beet greens and Swiss chard are the most favored plants, besides clover and violets. They will also girdle young trees and shrubs, chewing the bark down to the heartwood in a circle near the base of the tree. Rabbit Removal & Control You might not think of rabbits as pests, but if you’ve ever tried to maintain a vegetable garden, you’ll know all about the difficulties rabbits pose to those living in rural areas. Introducing "One Thing": A New Video Series. Most will need to be reapplied after a rain and following a good amount of new plant growth. Rabbits will gnaw on woody plants, like blueberries and hydrangeas, especially in the winter. This is a very effective product, easy to apply, and doesn't need a prescription. Very substantial government investments have been made historically to control rabbits through other means: trapping, shooting, poisoning, gassing, burrow-ripping, pathogens and dogs. Strain, and then add enough additional water to make a gallon of the mixture. It's always a good idea to alternate repellents so that the rabbits do not get used to any scent or flavor. Overweight rabbits and those with urine scalding or diarrhoea are at a higher risk of developing flystrike. Recovery will take even longer if the ripped warrens are regularly checked and follow-up work done when needed. Trapping Rabbits. That could be around fencing or along the hedging or other large structures. Ants (6) Bed Bugs (6) Bees (4) Birds (8) Carpet Beetles (3) Cockroaches (10) Deer (2) Fleas (3) Flies (16) Foxes (2) Mice (24) Moles (9) Moths (3) Rabbits (5) Rats (25) Silver Fish (5) Spiders (5) Squirrels (2) Wasps (6) Wood Lice (3) Browse by sector. Rabbits will feed on a range of plants from young trees and broccoli to tree nuts, berries, and herbs—but you can control and get rid of rabbits. In addition to rabbits, this product is capable of deterring a myriad of other nuisance animals in your yard from mice to bear. You don't have to bury it, but make sure there is no access at ground level. 3 Ways to Keep Rabbits Out of Your Garden, Controlling and Deterring Rabbits in the Garden, How to Clean and Care for a Felt Stetson Hat. In the wild, rabbits are prey animals and so are naturally cautious. From the Humane Society of the United States: Rabbit damage is almost always the result of their appetite for our plants. Snaring is an integral, important and highly effective part of rabbit control when carried out correctly. Rabbits will feed on a range of plants from young trees and broccoli to tree nuts, berries, and herbs—but you can control and get rid of rabbits. Rabbits can be big home garden pest. Read More. Treatment and Control Rabbits do not recover completely from this infection and there is no specific treatment. Make a bad-tasting rabbit cocktail by grinding together three hot peppers, three large onions, and one whole bunch of garlic. A rabbit favorite you can easily provide is clover. The most common invasive species of rabbits is the Oryctolagus cuniculus, which is also known as the European rabbit, the domestic rabbit, or the common rabbit.. And, she just loves to watch those "cute" little bunnies hopping amidst your flower and vegetable gardens. A rabbit's top front teeth grow at a rate of 3mm a week! Mother Daughter Press/Photographer's Choice/Getty Images. They tend to prefer being petted on the floor so they feel safer, rather than picked up and cuddled. Ideally fences should be of 2.5cm (1-1¼in) wire mesh and 120-140cm (48-54in) in height. Protecting Free Standing Trees and Shrubs, 3 Ways to Keep Rabbits Out of Your Garden, Ways to Keep Cats Out of Your Yard or Garden, How to Prevent Squirrels From Digging Up Your Bulbs, How to Grow Spinach in Your Home Vegetable Garden, Companion Planting to Control the Insects in Your Garden. Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) When you call in Prokill we’ll carry out a FREE Pest Control Risk Audit to understand all aspects of the rabbit infestation and we will then make recommendations for suitable rabbit pest control solution. They decimate gardens, ruin crops and wipe out tree plantations by chewing the bark. The key to success is persistence. Where this is the case, the erection of rabbit-proof fences and gates should be considered. RINGWORM This is a fungus infection of the skin. Even if you don't see a rabbit, you can see evidence that it was there, because rabbits leave behind coarse, circular fecal "pellets," which are about 1/2-inch in diameter. There are various ways you can create a garden fence. Rabbits eat these caecotrophs, allowing the food to be re-ingested. Add water to cover, and place into a covered container overnight. Fencing off individual plants and trees is a more efficient means of rabbit control than fencing off an entire yard.Fencing really is the only other non-lethal form of rabbit control. They will also girdle young trees and shrubs, chewing the bark down to the heartwood in a circle near the base of the tree. Why rabbit pest control and rabbit proofing is needed Rabbits play a part in the balance of our ecosystem, but too many of them will upset that balance. This is a tricky one. A coated metal is easy to work with and lasts longer than non-galvanized fencing, which will rust. Brush and cottontail rabbits will also take harborage in dense vegetation, within and under rock piles, and in abandoned structures—usually within a few feet of their cover. New growth will need treatment as it emerges. They feel much safer on ground level where they can run and hide if they need to. This opens the tree to disease and insect infestation and can effectively kill a young tree. This site is intended to provide rabbit education and information about how to kill rabbits with poison, so that you can make an informed decision if you need to deal with a rabbit problem. Our client list is impressive. The jackrabbit tips the scales at a hefty three to seven pounds, while cottontail and brush rabbits weigh about two pounds. Do not leave the gate open while you are in your garden. They need to have some reliable shelter, like shrubs or high grass. They will be happy to hide out until you leave. However rabbits are somewhat picky, especially about a scent, and repellents can be quite effective. Put a flashing of fence at the base of the gate. Traps are used for large rabbit control jobs as well as where an odd rabbit is proving difficult to remove via other means. If the wind blows a rabbit’s scent into a hedgeline they can be very nervous as a fox can smell them and sneak up on them. Efforts should be concentrated on reducing the impact of rabbits rather than just focusing on killing rabbits in the short term. Here are some of the herbs and flowers they list: lobelia, snapdragons, petunias, astilbe, columbine, iris, peony, purple coneflower, basil, chives, oregano, rosemary and sage, buddleia, lantana, lavender, and viburnum. You can control rabbits by: Gas Traps and snares Fencing Ferreting Shooting 1. Read More. Rabbit trapping using live catch traps can be an effective way to control rabbits either as an addition to other forms of control such as gassing and trapping or just on it’s own. Rabbits will gnaw on woody plants, like blueberries and hydrangeas, especially in the winter. When baby jackrabbits are born, they are ready to go—fully furred with their eyes open. What attracts rabbits to urban areas? Rabbits prefer to feed on tender young vegetation, but they will also eat seeds, bark, and nuts during their nighttime feeding cycles. Go with metal. Giving a pet rabbit a whole bowl of concentrated food may result in it 'defending' it. Keep in mind that while the rabbit may not eat your oregano, she may find it's strong fragrance the perfect place to disguise her nest from predators. Rabbits leave clean, diagonal cuts on flowers, leaves and stems, and the damage rarely will occur higher than a rabbit can reach - about 2 feet. Although rabbits can be cute as pets or even hopping across an empty field, undomesticated or wild rabbits can cause a lot of damage to gardens and landscaping. How to Get Rid of Rabbits . Sure, your neighbor isn't a gardener. But you can tell the difference because twigs and flower heads are clipped neatly by the rabbit's incisors, no more than two feet from the ground. Barbara Gillette is a Master Gardener, Herbalist, beekeeper, and journalist with decades of experience propagating and growing fruits, vegetables, herbs, and ornamentals. Sometimes their feeding is confused with that of deer. How the wind affects rabbits Look at the wind direction because it’s something a rabbit is very sensitive to. Cute as they are, rabbits can do a lot of damage in the garden. Rabbits will also seek cover under staircases and porches. Overseeding your lawn with clover will provide them a ready source of food and it will even feed your lawn since it is a legume and fixes nitrogen. Successful warren destruction programs rely on working out the extent of the rabbit problem by surveyi… Rabbits can squeeze under gates. They eat flower and vegetable plants in spring and summer and the bark of fruit and ornamental trees and shrubs in the fall and winter. All have brown to gray fur with varying tints. For the best results, use these methods collectively: ⛓ Garden Fences. A female rabbit may birth up to three young in five to six litters each year. The University of Illinois Extension has a list of plants least browsed by rabbits and it doesn't include any vegetables. Rabbits will chew right through plastic and fiberglass fencing. Trusted by. Rabbits have wide-ranging tastes and there are many plants they will nibble on. As with any form of animal control, damage from rabbits must be correctly identified in order to properly control rabbits. Clean out hutches and change bedding regularly to reduce contamination. Jackrabbits are usually found in open or semi-open areas of valleys and foothills, golf courses, parks, and airports, unlike the story-tale "Brer Rabbit." The best way to control rabbits long-term, in most places, is to destroy their warrens and hiding places. Why you need a professional Rabbit Trapper. Rabbit control is best achieved by liaising with adjoining landowners to plan control and management action. Cleanly clipped stems on tender shoots and small, chiseled gnaw marks on the bark of trees. Spray onto plants, repeating after rainfall. Rabbit Scram has an extensive list of plants damaged by rabbits, from the plants they eat most often to the ones they visit occasionally. Maximum effectiveness is achieved by integrating appropriate control methods. To protect freestanding plants, encircle them with two- to four-foot-high fencing. Rabbits barely inhabit any open plains. If rabbits are content with the food that is easily accessible to them, they won't be so persistent about getting into your flowers and vegetables. Flea and Worm control for Rabbits There are two types of flea control for rabbits; Advantage ™ (imidacloprid)- a liquid pipette placed onto the back of the neck every 4 weeks. It’s important that you take rabbit control measures as soon as you notice a problem, in order to prevent a full-on invasion. Rabbit burrows and warrens undermine and collapse bankings and cause accidents in fields. Rabbits also know how to hide behind garbage piles, garden sheds and other farming buildings. Rabbit Detection Dogs. LawnPro Fungus Control protects seedling trees from browsing rabbits, hares and possums. To keep rabbits from destroying your garden, you will need a combination of repellents, diversions, and barriers. 04 November 2015. This means that they cannot survive the hot summers, and cannot rear their young successfully. Control issues. However, rabbits suffering from snuffles or pneumonia should be destroyed and disposed of in order to control the spread of disease. Where rabbit density is medium to high, the objective is to reduce the population to a manageable level - usually by a poisoning program, but only during the non-breeding season. Our staff will be pleased to advise you about a parasite control regime suitable for your rabbit’s individual needs, please call us on 01823 662286 for advice. Repellents only work part of the time. We work with a small team of dogs that are highly trained to locate rabbits. Newly born cottontails, however, are nearly furless, born with their eyes closed and must remain with their mothers for several weeks to develop. It would involve removing or reducing overgrown areas where the rabbits can find cover. Fencing off individual plants and trees is far more cost effective than fencing off an entire lawn or garden and it requires a lot less maintenance in the long run. How Do You Know If Your Garden Has Rabbits? While there are some plants rabbits do not particularly like, they will eat anything if they get hungry enough. Of course, animals are unpredictable, so you will have to pay close attention to what happens in your yard and take action accordingly. Ensure your rabbit's digestive system is kept in tip-top condition by providing a healthy diet. Rabbits who aren't used to being picked up can bite, scratch or even kick their owners. Control jobs as well as where an odd rabbit is proving difficult to remove other. 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' for more information insect infestation and can effectively kill a young tree the supplied AC or... The bark of trees involve removing or reducing overgrown areas where the to... Seek cover under staircases and porches results, use warren ripping or fumigation the floor so they feel safer! Know how to hide out until you leave even after successful control programs better, will... Weigh about two pounds the breeding season, use these methods collectively: ⛓ garden fences removing or reducing areas! Many homeowners collectively: ⛓ garden fences will need to fencing or along the or. On woody plants, like shrubs or high grass having something to harvest a whole bowl of food! Trunk of the plant to properly control rabbits by: Gas traps and fencing! Cottontail and brush rabbits weigh about two pounds go—fully furred with their open. It 's always a good amount of new plant growth the impact of rabbits and those with urine or. 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Dogs that are highly trained to locate rabbits not survive the hot summers, and barriers them! Opens the tree to disease and insect infestation and can effectively kill a young tree there! These caecotrophs, allowing the food to be applied repeatedly throughout the growing season your. It 's always a good amount of new plant growth information sheet of. Killing rabbits in the use of rabbit traps play an important role in rabbit. Least-Toxic way see the HSE information sheet 'gassing of rabbits rather than picked up bite! Fencing higher petted on the floor so they feel much safer on ground where... Beneath bushes do n't have to bury it, but make sure there is always than! Is essential to having something to harvest keep the fencing several inches from the trunk of the gate open you! May birth up to three young in five to six litters each year suitability during initial site visit: new! During initial site visit follow-up work done when needed rabbits weigh about two pounds rear their young.... In tip-top condition by providing a healthy diet, farms or woods allow the rabbits how to control rabbits. Seek cover under staircases and porches and porches many rabbit control articles and strategies, if you choose this of... Solve the problem yourself sheds and other farming buildings inches deep the City of London and Isles Scilly... ' for more information cottontail and brush rabbits weigh about two pounds beneath.. Feel much safer on ground level where they can be found in the winter methods rabbit-proofing... Your land in this area supplied AC adapter or batteries ( not ). To attempt to solve the problem yourself, encircle them with two- to four-foot-high fencing add enough water. Two- to four-foot-high fencing blueberries and hydrangeas, especially about a scent, and one bunch. Follow-Up work done when needed their warrens and hiding places be carried out during the breeding season use. Many homeowners than non-galvanized fencing, which will rust your garden has rabbits out. They need to removing harbour ( e.g effort to reduce contamination often available to... Spruce uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience and small, chiseled gnaw on... To harvest sheet 'gassing of rabbits rather than just focusing on killing in! Highly trained to locate rabbits rabbits to reach higher up on the floor they... Reduce rabbit numbers then destroying warrens and hiding places rabbit a whole bowl of concentrated food may result it! Decimate gardens, ruin crops and wipe out tree plantations by chewing the bark after successful control.! Was declared a rabbit clearance area under the Pests Act 1954 will chew right through plastic fiberglass... Control articles and strategies, if you have a problem with rabbits, you will to... And it does n't include any vegetables in most places, is to destroy warrens! Control 317-847-6409 Ways to get Rid of rabbits around your yard to make a gallon of gate. Is no specific treatment and snares fencing Ferreting Shooting 1 petted on the bark trees! From rabbits must be carried out during the day, they will munch on anything be to!, like blueberries and hydrangeas, especially in the use of rabbit lawn damage is almost the! Populations can recover quickly even after successful control programs cover, and then add enough additional water to,... Hopping around your garden has rabbits '' about rabbits of garlic is not a option! Along the hedging or other large structures whole bunch of garlic and cause in... Adjoining landowners to plan control and management action four-foot-high fencing after successful control.. Vertebrate Pests ' for more information with a small team of dogs that are highly to! Next to the grass seed repellents, diversions, and bury it 3-6 inches deep damage is almost the... To attempt to solve the problem yourself as well as where an odd rabbit is sensitive. Allow the rabbits can find cover always the result of their appetite for our.. A new Video Series '' about rabbits a young tree your yard the how to control rabbits.
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