Rabbits live almost everywhere and are usually relatively harmless. However, if the population has grown too large, if they are digging holes under sheds or other buildings to seek shelter, or are eating from your garden, you may need to take some steps to get rid of them. While it is not possible to completely eliminate a rabbit population from your property, there are things you can do to reduce their numbers.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Changing the Habitat to Discourage Rabbits
Step 1. Clear the ground to reduce areas where rabbits like to hide
Keep the grass cut, remove unnecessary vegetation and regularly clean up plant residues. Cut and remove the lower branches of bushes and shrubs, which rabbits use to hide.
Step 2. Seal holes under sheds, patios, stairs, and anywhere else they can find refuge
Use pieces of wood or a wire mesh with mesh of 2.5 cm or less to reduce the chances of rabbits breaking through and gnawing on structures.
Step 3. Remove or enclose all water sources so that rabbits are not attracted to them
Step 4. Put some repellent plants to deter rabbits
The most effective plants are forget-me-nots (Myosotis), balsamine (Impatiens), belladonna (Amaryllis), dicentra formosa, Digitalis, Hemerocallis, fern, ivy, pachysandra and others.
Step 5. Add some little rabbit-favorite trees to your yard
Rabbits avoid oak, pine, maple, spruce, cedar and magnolia trees.
Method 2 of 3: Keep Rabbits Out of the Garden
Step 1. Fence the garden to keep the rabbits out
Wire mesh works well if the mesh is 2.5cm or less. Bury the fence 15-20cm below the ground to prevent rabbits from digging, and keep it at least 60cm above the ground.
Step 2. Install automatic sprinklers that are activated by a motion sensor
If rabbits are sprayed with water every time they enter the garden, they will likely lose interest in doing so.
Step 3. Try a natural repellent
Although the results differ depending on the type, some home remedies can help discourage rabbits.
- Spread blood meal, cayenne pepper, manure or dog hair or human hair around the plants.
- Spray the plants with a solution of chili sauce and water or vinegar and reapply it after each rain. This solution can be washed off the vegetables after harvest, so it does not affect their taste.
- Use a very bitter-tasting spray repellent containing Bitrex. You can find it among the products sold for ornamental plants. However, do not use it on horticultural plants, as it will affect the taste of the product.
Method 3 of 3: Other Ways to Get Rid of Rabbits
Step 1. Hunt them to keep the population small
Always hunt them when it's their season, and follow licensing regulations.
Step 2. Use cages to trap them
Lure them into apple traps, which are a favorite food for rabbits, or use a small amount of peanut butter. Keep traps checked regularly and free rabbits as quickly as possible once they are caught. Wear protective gloves when handling and releasing rodents.
Contact the local health authority in your area, or the forest ranger to find out about the relevant legislation. For example, in most states in the US it is legal to release wild rabbits that have been trapped to state-owned areas. Check the laws of your state
Step 3. Call a company that specializes in pest and pest control that can catch and release the rabbits
Instruct them to catch and free the rabbits elsewhere if you don't want to.
