Rabbits frequently clip grass blades close to the ground, nibble on landscape plants, and create unsightly bare spots, posing a challenge for homeowners maintaining a pristine lawn. These herbivores are particularly drawn to tender, newly emerged vegetation found in residential yards. Protecting the lawn requires implementing practical, non-lethal strategies that discourage the animals from lingering and feeding. An effective approach combines physical barriers with sensory deterrents and careful modification of the surrounding environment.
Physical Exclusion Methods
The most reliable way to prevent rabbit damage is installing physical barriers. Fencing materials such as chicken wire or hardware cloth are effective choices. The mesh size must be small enough to block passage for young rabbits, ideally measuring one inch or less across the openings.
The fence should stand at least 24 to 36 inches above the soil line to prevent rabbits from hopping over it. Because rabbits are natural diggers, the installation technique beneath the ground surface is also important. To prevent burrowing, the wire mesh should extend at least six inches below the soil surface.
A technique known as creating an L-footer involves bending the bottom six inches of the wire mesh at a 90-degree angle, facing away from the protected area, before burying it. When a rabbit attempts to dig next to the fence, its burrowing action is immediately met with the horizontal wire mesh, deterring entry. For small, vulnerable sections of the lawn or garden, temporary barriers like protective netting or wire cloches can be placed directly over new plantings until they become established.
Taste and Scent Repellents
Repellents make the lawn and surrounding plants undesirable. Commercial rabbit repellents work by appealing to the animals’ keen sense of smell and taste, causing a negative sensory reaction that prompts them to forage elsewhere. Common active ingredients include putrescent whole egg solids, which mimic the smell of decay, or capsaicin and garlic, which create an unpleasant taste or odor.
These products are generally applied directly to the foliage or perimeter of the protected area. Because rain and watering can wash away the active ingredients, reapplication must be performed frequently, typically every three to four weeks. Following periods of heavy rainfall, it is necessary to reapply the repellent sooner than scheduled to maintain the deterrent effect.
Homeowners can also employ simple, non-toxic scents as a supplementary measure. Strong scents that rabbits generally avoid, such as garlic or dried blood meal, can be sprinkled near the edge of the lawn to create an olfactory barrier. Incorporating certain plant species like marigolds or specific herbs into landscape beds can provide a minor deterrent, as rabbits tend to avoid their flavor. This should only be viewed as a supplemental layer of defense.
Managing the Environment
Modifying the surrounding yard is an effective long-term preventative strategy that makes the property less attractive to rabbits seeking shelter and food. Rabbits prefer to nest and hide in areas that provide dense cover close to their feeding grounds. Eliminating potential hiding spots involves clearing away dense ground cover, piles of brush, or accumulated debris near the perimeter of the lawn.
Maintaining a clean yard edge by frequently mowing high weeds and removing thickets reduces the structural protection rabbits rely on to feel secure. This practice forces the animals to traverse open space, which exposes them to predators and discourages them from establishing residence adjacent to the lawn.
Focusing on the elimination of readily accessible food sources also helps to reduce the appeal of the area. This includes securing outdoor pet food containers and promptly cleaning up any spilled bird seed. Removing dropped fruit or vegetables from garden areas also eliminates opportunistic food sources that could draw rabbits onto the property. Reducing the availability of shelter and supplemental food makes the environment less conducive to rabbit habitation.