Rabbits live almost everywhere and are usually harmless. However, if the rabbit population is too large, they will dig holes under sheds, or other buildings for shelter, or damage your garden. In this case, you should start shooing them away. While it may not be possible to eradicate the entire rabbit population in your home, there are things you can do to reduce their number.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Changing Habitat to Prevent Rabbits Entrance
Step 1. Reduce the rabbit's hiding place
Since rabbits will hide in areas with lots of vegetation, the best way to reduce rabbits is to keep the lawn short, remove unnecessary plants such as weeds, and clean out plant debris regularly. Also, be sure to shorten or remove low branches in bushes and shrubs that rabbits often use to hide. Finally, seal any burrows in your home.
- Go around your house regularly to look for places where rabbits may live or burrows that need to be closed.
- Check the area you have managed to keep rabbits out regularly and maintain control of the area.
Step 2. Secure your building
Make sure there are no rabbits hiding in holes you find under sheds, decks, stairs, and other places where rabbits can hide. Cover this hole with wire cage or wood. Use chicken coop wire mesh or wooden planks with a 2.5 cm gap so the rabbit can't get through.
- Check the managed premises in the building regularly to make sure nothing is damaged.
- Pest control services that specialize in extermination and control of small animals may be able to refer a contractor who can help you secure your building.
Step 3. Eliminate all access to water sources
Rabbits tend to make their habitat in buildings close to water sources. If you have a water source at home, such as rivers, creeks, ponds, and so on, you can build a fence around it so that the rabbits make their habitat elsewhere., 5 cm or less. You should also bury the base of the fence at least 10-20 cm deep and make sure the fence is at least 0.5 meters high.
Make sure you take care of the fence. Rabbits can find weak spots in fences or dig into the ground to get into your yard
Step 4. Plant as many rabbit repellent plants as possible
Rabbits eat a lot of plants. However, there are some plants that rabbits don't really like. These plants can force rabbits to find food elsewhere. These include annual plants (such as goatweed, impatiens, and verbena), perennial plants (such as echinacea and honeysuckle), and groundcover plants (such as big periwinkle and bougainvillea). Combine perennial and annual plants with shrubs, such as rhododendrons and camellias for extra protection.
Consult a garden designer about how to include these plants in the garden effectively and look attractive
Step 5. Plant a tree that repel rabbits
Like plants, not all trees that rabbits hate mean they can't eat. There are some trees that they really don't like. These trees are worth planting to keep rabbits from entering your yard. These trees include alder and birch.
Visit a tree garden to see if there are saplings to buy and plant in your yard
Step 6. Protect shrubs and trees from damage using hardware cloth
Rabbits can damage and kill trees and shrubs by gnawing at the base of their trunks. Wrap hardware cloth around the base of shrubs and trees that are prone to damage by rabbits. Rabbits cannot gnaw hardware fabrics and protect shrubs and trees. This method works for some people.
Hardware cloth is not actually cloth, but a galvanized wire screen and is available at hardware stores in rolls
Method 2 of 3: Preventing Rabbits from Entering the Garden
Step 1. Fence your garden to prevent rabbits from entering
Chicken coop wire can be used as long as the gap is 2.5 cm or less. Plant the fence 8-15 cm deep into the soil to prevent rabbits from digging under the fence. The fence must also be at least 1 meter high from the ground. Make sure you install flashing lights along the bottom of the fence so the rabbits don't force their way through the gaps in the fence. Chicken coop fences and wire can be purchased at hardware stores, and are usually available in a variety of styles and colors to enhance the look of your yard.
Consult a yard designer for advice on how to effectively install fences to protect and beautify the garden
Step 2. Install a motion-activated automatic sprinkler in the yard
The motion-activated automatic sprinkler will drive the rabbit out of the yard by sprinkling water every time the rabbit moves within the sensor area. Some sprinklers not only spray water to repel rabbits, but also make sounds to annoy the rabbits. This option is also environmentally friendly and humane because it does not use chemicals (only water and sound). Sprinkler systems can be purchased at hardware stores and online, and are fairly easy to install. Usually, you can simply plug the sprinkler into the ground like a regular sprinkler to water a lawn.
- There are many brands and models of motion sensor sprinklers that you can purchase.
- Consider waterways when installing sprinklers so that your plants are not damaged or drowned.
Step 3. Use an over-the-counter repellent
Many repellents are sold in stores, but not all will work on rabbits. So you will need to try several repellents before finding the right one. Remember, some repellents may need to be used several times a season. Here are some repellents you can try:
- Fertilize blood or bone meal. Blood or bone meal fertilizers repel rabbits because they are herbivores, and as a bonus, they will fertilize the lawn.
- Chemical repellent. Some chemical repellents such as ammonia soap can help repel rabbits, but are not safe for some fragile plants in the garden. So, make sure you read the label on the package. A solution containing bitter Bitrex can also be sprayed to repel rabbits, but usually only if the garden is overgrown with flowers as bitrex will change the taste of the vegetables.
Step 4. Use a home repellent
Cayenne pepper, human hair, dog dander, or animal droppings can be spread on the ground near the garden or mixed with fertilizer to help repel rabbits. You can also spray the vegetables with a mixture of vinegar, water, and some hot chili sauce. This mixture is sprayed on vegetables so that rabbits are reluctant to approach them and eat them because they don't like the taste.
Sulfur and dried onions are also effective in repelling rabbits
Method 3 of 3: Other Ways to Get Rid of Rabbits
Step 1. Hunt rabbits to keep rabbit populations low
In the US, you can use a shotgun (double-barreled rifle) to hunt rabbits, or a.22 rifle, pistol, or bow and arrow. When hunting, they must have a permit and comply with the hunting season regulations in the area concerned. If you are in a densely populated city, the rifle cannot be used in the yard. They need to check local regulations to make sure hunting rabbits in the yard is legal. In addition, they must also practice rifle safety while hunting. The rifle should only be pointed in a safe place, such as toward the ground, and the trigger should not be touched until it is ready to fire. In addition, they must always treat the rifle as if it were filled with bullets. Wear a bright orange vest so you can always be seen, and always keep an eye on what's in front and behind your target.
- IN the US, there is usually a rifle safety course that the public can take.
- Expert hunting can help keep hunting safe and effective at depleting the rabbit population in the yard.
- They can find someone to hunt rabbits in the yard if they can't do it themselves. In fact, some hunters are willing to pay to be able to hunt in someone's yard.
Step 2. Use traps
Traps can catch rabbits and then throw them out of your house. You can buy traps at hardware stores or the internet. This way, you don't have to shoot the rabbits. Use apples, brussels sprouts, carrots, or lettuce as bait. Monitor traps regularly and release rabbits as soon as possible after they are caught. Wear protective gloves when handling the trap and releasing the rabbit. Remove the rabbit at least 1.5 km from your home so it doesn't come back.
Contact your city's animal control service or the parks and recreation department to learn about animal release laws in your area
Step 3. Use a pest control service
Find a pest control service in your city that can handle rabbits. They can help you determine if the damage in your home was caused by the rabbit. They can also apply techniques to repel rabbits and protect your home, including fencing, traps, repellent trees, etc. Pest control services usually schedule follow-up or treatment appointments and ensure removal or control techniques are consistent with applicable law. If you are fed up with rabbits and are ready to hire a professional, look for a service that is experienced and specialized in handling rabbits, as not all services are experienced in controlling rabbits. Ask them over the phone if they have handled rabbits before and what methods have been used to deal with the problem.
