They’re cutebut they can do some serious damage to your flowers.
Richard Carson/Getty Images
While rabbits may appear cute and innocent, they can seriouslydamage your garden plants.
These hopping herbivores feed on leaves, stems, flowers, grass, and vegetables.
Photo:Richard Carson/Getty Images
Rabbits often eat young plants and seedlings and enjoy munching on herbs and leafy greens.
If youre a gardener, keeping your plants safe from rabbits will help them grow healthy and flourish.
Read on to learn more about how to rabbit-proof your plants with tips from gardening and pest control experts.
Ensure the fencing is at least 2 to 3 feet high to discourage rabbits from jumping over.
Chicken wire is an affordable fencing option to ward off rabbits.
When shopping for chicken wire, choose galvanized or PVC-coated wire for better rust resistance.
Hardware cloth is optimal if your garden is plagued by many rabbits or other burrowing animals.
It is more expensive than chicken wire but can offer better protection for your garden.
Dig as deep as you canat least 6 inchesto bury the fence underground.
The bent underground wire will help prevent rabbits from digging under the fence.
Regular maintenance is crucialcheck for any gaps or damages regularly.
To maintain your rabbit-proof fence, check it regularly for signs of wear and tear.
Reinforce or replace any damaged areas to keep your garden protected from roving rabbits.
When using natural methods, it is best to combine a few strategies to protect your garden.
Apply Pungent Scents
First, try spreading pungent scents that repel rabbits.
Choose the Right Plants
Adding certain plants to your garden can also stave off rabbits.
Incorporating rabbit-resistant plants into your garden can reduce the likelihood of damage, says Adnan.
Examples include daffodils, lavender, yarrow, and rosemary."
Commercial rabbit repellents have pungent smells that can ward off rabbits.
Check your repellent for detailed program instructions.
Many products are made of natural ingredients that are safe for humans and pets to be around.
Some repellents though, such as Liquid Fence, contain rotten eggs.
If you have a dog, your pet may serve as a natural deterrent and will chase rabbits away.
However, this benefit can be outweighed if your dog digs in your yard or tramples your plants.
Additional strategies include motion-activated sprinklers and scare devices like owl decoys, Sylva says.
These can startle rabbits and discourage them from frequenting the garden, adding an extra layer of protection.
Visual deterrents like scarecrows or owl decoys can ward off rabbits as they signal predators.
This is not a foolproof strategy but can help when combined with other deterrent methods.
you might also modify your landscaping to make it less hospitable to rabbits.
Remove brush piles, tall grass, and other hiding spots around the perimeter of your garden.
This will make rabbits feel less comfortable foraging in your plants.
