Rabbit Control in the Organic Garden

Stop Rabbits from Damaging Vegetable and Ornamental Plants

Jul 6, 2009

Grazing rabbits cause damage to tender shoots in the spring garden, and they damage tree bark and shrubs in the winter. Control rabbits without toxic chemicals.

Hungry rabbits raiding the garden can cause even staunch vegetarians to contemplate the merits of hassenpfeffer. However, trapping or removing rabbits won’t stop their destruction of vegetable and ornamental plants. Fortunately, it is possible to achieve total rabbit control without using poisons or lethal methods.

Fox Urine Rabbit Repellent

Gardeners can buy powdered fox urine concentrate to use around bushes, bulbs, trees, and flowerbeds. Powdered fox urine is non-toxic, and is harmless to pets and children. Fox urine repellent also works against destructive squirrels, skunks, moles, and voles. Gardeners must apply the product twice a week for the first month, and then monthly to discourage rabbits. Although powdered fox urine is moderately rain resistant, gardeners achieve best results when they reapply the product after heavy rain.

Homemade Rabbit Repellent Spray

Organic gardeners can make homemade rabbit repellent using a combination of mint, garlic, and eggs. This spray is natural and safe to use on vegetable gardens until the day of harvest. Gardeners can combine a cup of chopped fresh mint leaves, a head of garlic (it needn’t be peeled), and six eggs in a blender. Spray affected plants until the product is dripping from the leaves. The garlic and mint act as a taste deterrent, and the animal proteins are repellent to herbivores like rabbits.

Ultrasonic Rabbit Control

Sonic pest control devices repel rabbits and other rodents by emitting an unbearable sound that is undetectable to people and non-rodent pets. The best ultrasonic pest control devices are activated only when the pest is present, which saves battery power and prevents the animal from becoming accustomed to the noise.

Rabbit Garden Fence

As opposed to the monumental fence gardeners must erect to keep deer out of the garden, a garden fence that excludes rabbits is simple and inexpensive. Rabbits cannot climb or hop over a two-foot six-inch wire mesh fence. However, it’s important to bury at least six inches of the fence underground, in a trench that allows the fence to curve outwards away from the garden. For fences or collars meant to protect tree bark and shrubs from winter nibbling, remember to account for the height of the snow that gives hungry rabbits a boost.

Plant Rabbit Resistant Plants

The methods used to deter or exclude rabbits from the vegetable garden aren’t always possible throughout the ornamental landscape. Gardeners can limit rabbit damage by planting perennials that rabbits avoid. Irises, oriental poppies, and daffodils can form the backbone of the spring rabbit-proof garden. In the summer, gardeners can plant daylilies, lamb’s ears, and sedum. A shady rabbit resistant garden can include hostas, foxgloves, and astilbes.

The copyright of the article Rabbit Control in the Organic Garden in Organic Gardens is owned by Jamie McIntosh. Permission to republish Rabbit Control in the Organic Garden in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.