How to Get Rid of Rabbits
HUMANE HINTS: In some cases you can resolve a rabbit problem without trapping the animal - for example, you can install
fencing around a garden you don't want eaten. Spray very hot sauce, like capsaicin, on plants. Keep habitat less attractive,
by eliminating excess plant life or long grass. If you use a cage trap, be sure to set it in the shade and relocate the armadillo
as soon as possible. Never attempt to poison rabbits. Unfortunately, there are no effective or registered rabbit repellents.
Read below for how-to hints.
Summary of Step-By-Step Instructions:
1) Purchase large cage traps - rated raccoon size, usually about 10" x 12" x 30" or so.
2) No bait is effective - set traps in areas of high rabbit activity, and bait with fresh vegetables. Make sure traps are scent-free
and flush to the ground, line the bottom of the trap with dirt and debris, and set in the shade.
3) Relocate any trapped rabbit at least 5 miles from capture site.
4) If you have rabbit living under a deck, shed, or other structure, install an exclusion barrier - steel mesh around the
perimeter, and down at least 12 into the ground, with bottom of mesh sloping outward.
How to Get Rid of Rabbits - We all know what rabbits look like; they are those cute fuzzy creatures that hop around your
garden and your lawn. Rabbits have been an important part of our culture as they have appeared in our cartoons, literature
and in cages in the living room. However, rabbits that are kept as pets are very different than rabbits in the wild. Rabbits are
most recognized by their “fluffy” appearance and bushy tails that resemble cotton balls. They have long ears and come in a
variety of colors such as gray, white, brown and black. However, not everyone thinks that these critters are cute or harmless.
Rabbits are the enemy of gardeners, farmers and landscapers. Rabbits are an issue for these people because of what they
eat. Rabbits will eat anything that it green and leafy. A rabbit’s diet mainly consists of flower bulbs, plant roots, shrubs and
some parts of trees. They will also make a snack of any of the fruits, vegetables or herbs that you have growing in your
garden. They will also dig holes in your lawn and under your house or porch for their burrows which can cause significant
damage. If you have a rabbit problem that you want to take care of, try these suggestions to get rid of rabbits.
Fencing is probably the most effective and humane way to get rid of your rabbits. You can choose to either fence off your
entire yard, your garden or even individual plants to keep the rabbits from eating them. You can go with almost any type of
fence, but you want to make sure that the fence is buried at least a foot underground with at least a foot above ground. A
white picket fence will do the trick or you can try a wire mesh fence if you are on a budget. However, building a fence like this
will not do anything for the rabbits already in your yard, so you will want to get rid of those when you build the fence.
Trapping is another effective way to get rid of rabbits in your yard. There are both lethal and live traps available at many
hardware and garden stores. You can even try calling your local humane society’s office and ask if they can lend you a trap
or let you rent it. Bait the trap with an enticing snack and make sure to wash all of your human scent off of it. Rabbits are
smart and will know when you are up to something. Make sure to check the traps every day and when you do catch the
rabbit relocate it to an area that is at least 10 miles away from your property.
You can also use repellents like predator urine. Coyote and fox urine has said to be effective for scaring away rabbits, but
these scents are unreliable and wear off quickly. You will have to constantly reapply it, especially after it rains. Needless to
say, if you live in an area that gets a lot of rainfall, this is not the method for you.
There are also fungicide sprays that are repulsive to rabbits and they will not go near the plants that you spray it on.
These sprays have a chemical called thiram that is toxic to the rabbits. However, this chemical is also toxic to humans and
you cannot spray it on plants that you plan on eating. However, for trees, shrubs and ornamental plants this is very effective
for keeping the rabbit away while not affecting the plant.
Rabbit Appearance: Rabbits are small mammals with long ears, large eyes, and scissor-like teeth. While not a rodent,
rabbits share the characteristic perpetually growing teeth of that species, though the number of teeth and location within the
mouth is different. The rabbit’s front legs are much shorter than the hind legs and are primarily used for digging. The hind legs
are long and powerful, capable of kicking with such strong force that the animal can actually break its own back. Rabbits in
the wild are usually a mixture of browns and grays, while rabbits in captivity can be as varied in color as domestic cats. The
weight rarely exceeds three pounds in the wild, though rabbits up to twenty inches tall can achieve greater body mass.
Rabbit Habitat and Behavior: Rabbits live in many different countries. The largest population is in North America. They can
live in most environments and will occupy meadows, woodlands, mountains, and marshlands. Rabbits are social creatures,
living in groups inside a complex system of burrows called a warren. Warrens are composed of large, interconnecting
tunnels. Sleeping burrows and food storage burrows are all different, and each rabbit is allowed the ability to select a private
den to sleep.
Rabbits have a tremendous reproduction rate. At the age of six months, female rabbits—does—are able to be bred. Once
bred, the females will produce a litter in thirty days and will immediately be able to be impregnated again. This cycle occurs
for most of the year, and rabbit litters can number up to twelve offspring.
The wild rabbit is always on the alert for predators. It is a staple in many carnivorous diets. If danger is detected, the rabbit
will thump the ground with its hind leg, producing a loud vibration throughout the surrounding area. Other rabbits will
immediately seek refuge inside the warren or under any available cover if a burrow is not within easy reach. The thump is not
only a warning to other rabbits, it is also a warning to the predator that it has been noticed.
Because they breathe solely through their noses, rabbits are prone to infection from cuterebra, a fly larva that migrates up
the nose and into the internal organs. Eventually, the larvae will develop into a grub and will tunnel out to the rabbit’s skin and
create a breathing hole. These repulsive parasites will poke their heads out for air, sneaking back under the skin when
discovered. They will eventually become a type of bot fly.
Rabbit Diet: Rabbits are herbivores. They feed on a variety of vegetation including clover, alfalfa, tubers, legumes, leafy
vegetables, and grass. This diet of greens can be difficult to digest. To aid in the process, the rabbit will eliminate two
different types of feces. Normal droppings are hard and are left alone. The second form is black and sticky, and these are
immediately eaten by the rabbit. This special form of fecal matter is able to be re-digested, with more vitamins and nutrients
removed the second time around. Rabbits also need a hard form of vegetation, such as wood, to chew on to maintain the
length of their teeth.
Rabbit Nuisance Concerns: Due to the rapid rate of reproduction, rabbits can quickly pose a serious threat to agriculture.
Some countries have had such an issue with rabbits that fences had to be erected to corral the destructive creatures.
Rabbits eat constantly, and that frequent need to forage can devastate gardens and larger areas of crops.
Rabbit Diseases: Rabbits rarely contract rabies, but as with almost all wild mammals, there is still a concern. Other rabbit
diseases include Q-fever, brucellosis, tularemia, giardiasis, encephalitozoonosis, and dermatophytosis. Most of these
illnesses are rare and usually affect individuals with compromised immune systems.
Rabbit Trapping - How To Trap
How To Trap A Rabbit
The fate of rabbits as a species has been intertwined with humans for many centuries, and they play many different roles
within human history and society. Their success and ability to populate very quickly is one of the major reasons for the
success of the species, and a large number of rabbits can often cause significant damage in domestic gardens and
especially in agricultural areas. Rabbits have been a source of food and fur in many cultures for centuries, and there are also
millions of rabbits that are kept domestically as pets.
The Trap Options For Catching Rabbits
The majority of traps that will be used when catching rabbits will be lethal traps, and some of these will be more humane and
effective than others. In terms of the lethal traps that are used to catch a rabbit, the majority of these will be of the snare
variety, which is a simple loop of wire or plastic that will be placed where it will catch around a rabbit’s neck and continue to
tighten until it is dead. The other type of trap will be a body grip trap, where the rabbit will step on the trigger and the trap will
close immediately around the rabbit, crushing the animal to death.
In terms of the live traps that are available for rabbit catching, these will usually be cage traps that can be used to catch a
number of rabbits at the same time. If you have a situation where there is only one rabbit causing the problem, then a trap
designed to catch an individual animal can be used, but where there is one rabbit there are usually many others. Many traps
can be quite large and can contain a number of different rabbits, and especially in agricultural areas there may be a number
of these repeater traps required.
Locating And Baiting A Rabbit Trap
In terms of the location for a rabbit trap, the best place will often be under or near the fence which the rabbit is using to get
on to your property. For those who are trapping rabbits in an agricultural area, it may be an idea to install a permanent rabbitproof fence around the area, and incorporate trap locations into that fence so that the area can be kept permanently rabbit
free. For those who are using the traps in a domestic garden, then checking the borders of your garden will usually reveal
signs of how the rabbits are getting in and out, and will suggest a good place to lay the trap.
Rabbits are vegetarians and the most successful bait for these animals will be fruit and vegetables. Bugs Bunny was rarely
seen without a carrot, and this is not a myth because carrots will be among the most successful bait, along with sprouts,
lettuce and apples. Some people will also spray the trap with cider to attract the rabbits.
Handling And Removing Rabbits
Unless you have caught an escaped domesticated rabbit, it will rarely be possible to take the animals to a new home or
release them, as they can be a pest in the majority of surroundings. There are also likely to be regulations in place about the
catch and release of pest animals in your state, so these will need to be checked beforehand.
It is wise to wear gloves when handling wild rabbits, as they can deliver a bite that can break the skin, which many people
who have kept a rabbit as a pet will already know. It is also worth keeping any handling of the rabbit to a minimum, as they
can also carry fleas and ticks which can jump to a human and transmit their own diseases.
How to Kill Rabbits with Poison
How To Kill A Rabbit
Rabbits may make funny cartoon characters, but when these prodigious breeders take up residence in your area the damage
and frustration that they can cause is not a laughing matter. With the ability to breed many times during the year, and with
offspring that will reach sexual maturity quite quickly, a small rabbit problem can swiftly become a much larger issue,
especially in an area near domestic properties. Rabbits can often make very good pets when they are domesticated, but in
an area with tens or even hundreds of rabbits running wild this can often drive many people to try and kill the rabbits.
Lethal Rabbit Traps
There are a number of different types of traps that can commonly be used to kill a rabbit, and many will be designed to suit
the individual location where the trap is being placed. The most common type of trap that is commercially available for a
rabbit will be a body grip trap that will quickly crush the animal to death, and this will usually have to be baited in order to
attract the rabbit. Older trappers and those who have been taught by men experienced in killing rabbits will also frequently
use a snare trap, but this is one that needs to be in the right place and at the right height to be successful.
Shooting Rabbits
Another common method that many people in rural areas will use when they are killing a rabbit is to use a rifle. It can often
require a lot of skill and practice to be able to shoot a rabbit, as they are small and nimble animals that rarely stay still for
very long, especially if they feel that there is someone nearby. One problem with shooting rabbits is that you have to be
confident of the kill, as a rabbit injured by a gun will often spill blood over a long distance, and this has been known to spread
parasites and diseases in this way.
Poisoning A Rabbit
Many people will consider using poison and believe that it is the easiest way to kill a rabbit, but the reality is that it can often
cause much more problems than it solves. Rabbits are already prey to many different predators that can often be more of a
pest than the rabbits themselves, and the carcass of a poisoned rabbit can often attract other animals into the area. This can
be even more of a problem if you are using poison to try and eliminate a large number of rabbits, and there really are better
solutions available.
Alternatives To Killing Rabbits
Although rabbits can be a real pest, it isn’t always necessary to start killing them, as this can often lead to a long running
fight to try and control and eliminate a population of rabbits. Not only is this a particularly time consuming process but for
those who are hiring someone to do this for them, then it can also prove to be very expensive too. This is why keeping the
rabbits out permanently is a much more practical solution in areas with high rabbit populations.
Depending on the species of rabbit, clearing the shrubbery and plants growing close to the ground can help to reduce the
cover available for the rabbits and reduce the attractiveness of the area to them. However, the best solution for those who are
looking to protect their yard or garden, installing a rabbit proof fence will be the real solution. The fence needs to be
embedded into the ground to prevent the rabbits from being able to dig under the fence, and should also be of a fairly narrow
mesh so that there aren’t any gaps for the rabbit to squeeze its way in.
How to Keep Rabbits Away
Cottontail Rabbits the Urban/Suburban Nuisance
As cities continue to expand into natural areas, rabbits take up residence in urban and suburban areas. Although these
rabbits are fun to watch, they are becoming more of a nuisance when it comes to gardens and plant life. Cottontail rabbits
(Sylvilagus floridanus) are the most common wildlife seen in the urban/suburban areas. These little brown haired mammals
have a white fur on their underbelly and a white puff tail which is where they got their name from. These creatures will have
about four litters of babies a year making them one of the most populous in small areas. Their average home range is ten
acres or less.
Since rabbits multiply so quickly it is sometimes difficult to remove them all together. Chances are you will clear an area
only to have the neighboring rabbit move over and take up residence. It is more practical to protect the areas that you do not
want rabbits to bother than trying to get rid of them. Cottontails love bushy areas that intercept with open areas. This
provides all the food and cover that they need during the spring, summer, and fall months. During the winter when food is
scarce they will look for twigs and tree bark to sustain them. Landscaped yards with lawns are the ideal habitat for rabbits
and why they are so abundant in the suburbs.
Rabbit Repellents
There are both homemade and commercial repellants available for rabbits; some are for areas others are for plants. Both
kinds of repellants will require that it be reapplied every time there is a heavy rain. It is also known that if rabbits get hungry
enough they will bypass the repellant to eat. Some of the substances that repel rabbits are soaps especially with ammonia
that can be applied in the soil, garlic that can be planted in the garden area or applied as a mixture, blood meal which is
usually used in commercial products, and pepper that can go into the soil or on the plants and is usually used with garlic. All
Out Deer and Rabbit Repellent by Sweeny uses garlic and pepper which is a big portion of why it works so well.
Keeping Rabbits Out
One of the best exclusions for the garden area is a fence that will keep rabbits out. A small wired fence that is buried in the
ground and stands about two feet high will save the garden area. Making fence panels that can be moved around will allow
the gardener easy access and stop the rabbits from entering. A wire mesh that is about two feet wide can be placed around
the smaller trees to prevent the rabbits from eating bark. There also is a seedling protector manufactured by Vexar which is
made of plastic netting that is easily installed around trees. Most electronic and frightening devices are not effective with the
cottontails so it is better to look for other venues when deterring rabbits.
Trapping Cottontails Safely
It is possible to trap the rabbits and move them to other areas, but you will need to be prepared to do it several times since
there is never just one cottontail. The best time to do any trapping is in the winter when food is scarcer. During the summer
food is bountiful and it will be difficult to lure a bunny into your trap. Placing the trap where their trails are is the most effective
way to catch rabbits. Using lettuce, corn, carrots and apples as bait will draw them into the trap, once you have caught one
it is a good idea to leave them for a short period, as their scent will draw others.
Rabbit Repellent
Rabbit Repellants
Rabbits are such adorable and cuddly animals. It’s such a pleasure to watch them hop about without a care in the world.
However, the problem with rabbits is that they can ruin your garden and yard. They will eat your vegetables, seeds, flowers,
grass and more. Not repelling them soon could leave you feeling as if you’re wasting time trying to maintain your lawn and
garden.
Garlic and Chili Powder
½ cup of garlic powder and ½ cup of Cheyenne pepper can be mixed together with 2 cups of water to create a rabbit
deterrent. After mixing thoroughly, the repellant should be allowed to sit outside for at least 2 days before using. After it has
had time to sit, you can add just a few drops of dish soap and swirl it in as well. This mixture should be sprayed on your
garden and plants that the rabbits might find delicious. Adding a bit of chili powder at the base of all of your plants will make
the deterrent settle into the soil and make it much more effective. Sure, rabbits don’t like the smell or taste of this mixture,
but you have to keep applying it every few weeks.
Plant Other Food Sources
Repelling rabbits to some people means repelling them against demolishing their garden. Since a rabbit’s favorite food is the
clover, people have planted clover around their gardens to keep the rabbits from eating other valuable veggies instead. It’s
true that the rabbit might eat more of the clover, but he might still eat the other items out of your garden as well. Besides,
when clover starts to spread, it does so rapidly. You may need to figure out if going through all the trouble is really worth it.
Dried Blood
Dried blood is a repellant that some people think is effective in repelling rabbits if spread around the border of your garden.
However, if you have children who you allow to play out in the yard, is this something you’d really want to risk them getting a
hold of? Besides, just like any other repellant, you have to keep buying it for it to work.
Fox Urine
Foxes are predators of rabbits and ground squirrels. Some believe that if you spread the fox urine around your lawn, on your
plants and garden, the rabbits will stay away. What people expect to happen is that the rabbit smells that his predator is
near and looks to dine somewhere further away. Over time, the scent wears away and you will need to re-treat your yard and
there’s no guarantee that the rabbit will continue to flee every time. Not only can this cost you money to keep up but the
results are only temporary.
Spray Away Repellants
Right now you can obtain a spray away motion sensor that makes it clear to rabbits and other animals that they’re not
wanted. The unit is connected to a water hose and when it detects through motion that a rabbit or other pesky animal is in
the yard, it makes a warning sound and then shoots a burst of water at the animal. You can even connect several of these
units to your water hose to cover a lot more of your yard. Many of them can cover up to 1200 square feet and detect motion
40 feet in front of the device. Some of these units even come with features that they claim prevent rabbits from getting
immune to the spray pattern. While it can be efficient in getting the job done, it can cost money and only provides a short
term solution to the problem.
Fences
While you can never go wrong with putting a fence up, they can be costly to install and if you’re installing it yourself; time
consuming. Not to mention, you need to make sure that there are no rabbits inside the area you want to protect first. You
can put a fence around your entire yard or you may just choose to fence in the garden that keeps getting wrecked. The fence
needs to be at least 2 feet high and made from poultry wire. Still, you should keep in mind that rabbits may be able to
squeeze under them or through them considering they can push through some of the smallest spots.
POOR BUGS, NO CARROTS TODAY
A galvanized chicken wire fence works great providing it is sturdy and is placed about 1 foot underground and 3 feet above
ground. It is best to angle the bottom 6 inches outward to stop the rabbit from digging under the fence. Chicken wire also
works around the bottom of trees since rabbits like to munch on the bark.
PUT UP A BARRIER
A very effective method of keeping rabbits away from your vegetable garden is to build a cylindrical barrier enclosure. It
should be about 3 feet high around all trees and plants and use inch hardware cloth then bury the bottom of the enclosure 3
inches below the ground. Make sure there is 1-2 feet between the barrier and the plants. You can also build a 3-foot high
fence of chicken wire since rabbits are not good climbers.
GET SPICY WITH THEM
A mixture of ground black pepper with a dash of cayenne pepper and some bone meal sprinkled around the areas should
repel the rabbits. This may upset any pets you have as well but it does work on rabbits. Best to apply just after the sun goes
down since rabbits prefer evening dining.
THE RABBIT TRAPPER
Trapping rabbits is easy; the problem is what to do with them once you trap them. It is against the law to release them
where they will become someone else's pest so you have to come up with a good idea .
They also tend to injure themselves trying to escape, which means now you have an injured animal to contend with. If you
live in the country you may try and make rabbit stew, however, wild rabbit is a little tough to chew.
PLANT A DETERRENT .
If you plant a border of wormwood around the area you want to keep rabbits out of it should work great. Rabbits hate
wormwood and will avoid it at all costs. Another deterrent is to just plant a row of lettuce where they can easily get to it.
Many farmers find that this works great. They may even allow you to take some occasionally.
WOOD ASHES WORK GREAT
If you sprinkle wood ashes around your plants the rabbits will leave them alone. The only problem is that when it rains the
wood ashes will lose their effectiveness and you will need to add more.
TALK RADIO
If you purchase an inexpensive small portable radio and place it in the garden covered with a protective plastic bag it
will keep almost all the critters away. Animals that invade the garden are afraid that there is a human around.
GET A SNAKE
Rabbits are deathly afraid of snakes and will stay away, far away from your property if they see anything that resembles a
snake. Rubber fake snakes are easy to purchase and tend to be an effective deterrent.
RABBITS LOVE SAPLINGS
Rabbits love to nibble on tender saplings and one of the best ways to stop them is to wrap the sapling with a piece of plastic
pipe. Be sure and leave enough room for growth. There are also a number of commercial products that can be used to wrap
the saplings. Most garden supply stores carry the wraps.
A LITTLE SHMEAR WILL DO Y A
A very effective method of keeping rabbits and mice away from young trees and their tender bark is to smear some
bacon grease or any other animal fat on the trunk of the tree to deter them.
SAVE THOSE CONTAINERS
When rabbit presence is only occasional, new plants can be protected by using 1-gallon plastic milk containers that
have the bottom cut out and
placed over the seedling.
SPACE AGE TECHNOLOGY
If you hang aluminum strips on string tied to wooden stakes that are 3 feet high it will scare the critters away.
Hot Bite Spray
When chipmunks or other furry felons are Feeding on your flowering plants, whip up a batch of this timely tonic.
3 tbsp. of cayenne pepper
2 cups of hot water
1 tbsp. of Tabasco® sauce
1 tbsp. of ammonia
1 tbsp. of baby shampoo
Mix the cayenne pepper with the hot water in a bottle, and shake well. let the mixture sit overnight, then pour off the liquid
without disturbing the sediment at
the bottom. Mix the liquid with the other ingredients in a hand-held sprayer. Keep a batch on hand, especially when tender
shoots and new buds are forming, and spritz the plants as often as you can to keep them hot, hot, hot! No critter who
tastes the stuff will come back for a second bite!
Wake Up and Smell the Bacon
If rabbits are targeting your trees and shrubs, smear bacon grease on the trunks. The little guys will take their teeth
elsewhere. Just don't try this oldtime trick if you've got dogs or cats on the prowl, or they'll descend on your yard in droves!