Could there be an animal cuter than a rabbit? That being said, you may not want them eating your garden! Here are some humane solutions to keep rabbits away from the areas you don’t want them.
Does the Rabbit Need Help?
Before you disturb any babies or potentially injured rabbits, please make sure the rabbit actually needs your help! Just because baby rabbits are found alone does not mean they are orphaned.
In Your Garden
First of all, make sure you’re actually dealing with a rabbit! Deer eat many of the same things as rabbits and may be the culprit. Plants will look neatly clipped by a rabbit, but ragged and torn by a deer. Of course, if you see rabbit tracks or rabbits themselves, keep reading for our best humane tips.
- The best way to keep rabbits out of your garden is with a fence at least 3 feet high made of wire mesh and posts. The fence should be in the ground at least 8 inches to prevent the animal pushing through weak spots at the bottom, and an L-shaped barrier can be added to prevent groundhogs from digging under as well.
- If fencing isn’t an option, try using visual and auditory deterrents, like pinwheels, or even glass bottles buried neck deep in the dirt.
- Humane, DIY repellents are a great solution! Sprinkle black ground pepper, garlic powder, human or animal hair snips, or moth balls around your garden perimeter. You can also combine 1 tablespoon castor oil with 1 tablespoon liquid detergent and a gallon of warm water to spray. Keep in mind you’ll have to reapply these after rain.
- Do nothing! Rabbits have so many predators, that often by doing nothing and letting nature take its course, you might see the same results as you would by taking measures to control the issue.
Please note, Humane Action Pittsburgh (HAP) is not a wildlife rescue and is unable to address concerns or assist with wildlife emergencies. Please utilize the resources on our website to find the appropriate organization to contact. Submissions to HAP through our contact form or email will not be able to be addressed.