How To Deter Rabbits
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- 01-03-2024

This article looks at how to deter rabbits. Learn about the habits and preferences of rabbits to better understand how to protect your outdoor spaces.
How To Get Rid of Rabbits
Understanding how to deter rabbits from your garden or property can be a challenge for many homeowners or gardeners. Rabbits are quick and resourceful creatures that can easily gnaw their way through a vegetable patch in no time. Here are several ways to prevent rabbit invasions.
One effective method is to use a repellent. Rabbit repellent products are available which can deter rabbits based on smell or taste. Garlic and hot peppers are particularly disliked by rabbits, so a repellent that includes these could be a good choice. Another tip is to protect your garden with fencing. A fence around your garden that is at least 1.2 meters tall should keep rabbits away. Ensure it's buried at least 15 centimetres into the ground to prevent them from burrowing under it.
Plant deterrents such as lavender and deer-resistant plants could also ward off rabbits as they dislike the strong scents of these shrubs. Also, covering the ground with a thin layer of dust or leaves can help disrupt the comforting feel of fur under their feet, making the area less appealing. Always check under piles of leaves or fur for any hidden burrows.
What Are the Signs of a Rabbit Infestation?
If you suspect you might have a rabbit issue, look out for these signs. Freshly dug holes are often a dead giveaway. Rabbits create burrows, which are essentially tunnels in the ground where they shelter and breed.
The presence of half-eaten or bitten vegetation, especially noticeable around the borders of your garden beds or the base of young trees, can often serve as an ominous sign of rabbits.
Renowned for their insatiable appetite, rabbits relish in the consumption of vegetables, especially favouring those that are green, crisp, and freshly sprung from the earth.
Their nibbling habits can pose significant damage to your individual plants, with the bark and the delicate leaves often bearing the brunt of their feeding frenzy. Signs of gnawing or nipping on your vegetation could signal a rabbit's unwelcome visit to your greens.

If you're noticing damage to tree bark around your garden or land, it might be the work of rabbits. These animals are known to gnaw and strip the bark to eat - it’s a common source of nutrients for them. This behaviour is particularly prevalent in the winter months when other food sources may be scarce. Indications to look out for are gnawing signs beginning at ground level and extending upward roughly about 6 centimetres. You might see a clean cut edge around the stripped bark, another hint that the damage could be rabbit-related.
Finally, one must be vigilant to observe signs of animals in or around their garden. Look for tracks and droppings as these are definite signs. Specifically, rabbit droppings, which are round and similar to the size of peas, indicate their presence.
In addition to this, you should also carefully examine your garden for other identifying marks such as rabbit footprints. These are distinctive and unusual in shape - with long hind feet and shorter front paws. This keen observation can help in identifying and resolving any potential damage to your garden caused by rabbits.
Are Rabbits Harmful To Humans?
Rabbits are traditionally seen as harmless creatures, yet they can indirectly pose a threat to humans. Typically, they don't carry any severe diseases that can be transferred to people, so there's no need to worry about catching a sickness from a rabbit.
However, their presence can entice larger predators such as foxes or badgers to venture towards your land. These predators are known to be more aggressive and do carry diseases, potentially posing a risk to human health.
Furthermore, it's not just these possible health hazards where rabbits pose a problem. They can also cause considerable damage to their surroundings. For those of us who cherish our gardens, rabbits can be a real nuisance. They don't limit their diet to wild plants, but they also gorge on vegetables that us humans might be cultivating for ourselves. As a result, they can decimate a vegetable patch overnight leading to a significant loss for the gardener.
Additionally, rabbits have a natural instinct to burrow. They can erode the ground structure with their extensive burrowing systems, causing serious damage to the structural integrity of any landscape. This underground network can destabilise the soil and cause problems for the property owner, including structural damage to buildings and garden structures.
So, while rabbits might not pose a direct threat to humans in terms of disease, keep in mind that they do, indeed, have their ways of causing trouble. They can attract unwanted predators, and their feeding and burrowing habits can lead to significant damage to gardens and property structures. It's always best to take precautionary measures to prevent their destructive behaviour.
How to Ethically Get Rid of Rabbits
While encouraging wildlife in your garden can be enjoyable and beneficial, it can also sometimes prove destructive, particularly with species such as rabbits.
here are however, ethical ways to deter rabbits from your garden, allowing you both to coexist happily. One of the most effective methods is to provide them with alternative food sources that are located away from your garden.
By installing a small feeding station filled with an array of fruits, berries, and lush fresh grass, you may successfully lure them away from your beloved plants. Another option is to utilise humane animal traps.

These models physically catch the rabbit without causing them any harm. Once caught, the rabbit can be transported to a location more suitable for them, such as a woodland area, reducing the chance of them returning to your garden. A further ethical method is to make your garden less desirable to these creatures. Rabbits are attracted to refuge areas, such as piles of leaves and tall grasses where they can easily hide and feel safe.
Regularly cleaning up these potential hiding spots and trimming any tall grasses can effectively discourage them from making your garden their home. By implementing these practices, you can enjoy your garden in peace, knowing you've dealt with the rabbit situation ethically and humanely.
Should you contact pest control to remove rabbits?
If you have diligently tried all the tips you've found on controlling a rabbit infestation on your property, but alas, you are still struggling and don't see any improvement, perhaps it's time you consult and employ the services of professionals. A reputable pest control service provider would be an ideal choice. They will have a team of qualified, trained, and accredited practitioners who specialise in this field. Professionals possess the necessary skills and knowledge to handle all sorts of rabbit infestations efficiently.
Furthermore, they ethically and humanely deal with these endearing but potentially destructive animals. With their expertise, you can trust that your property will once again be rabbit-free, allowing the normality of life to resume. Your hard-earned garden would no longer be at risk, and the structural integrity of your property would be safeguarded. The experienced team can carry out a assessment, diligently identifying the extent of the rabbit infestation impacting your premises.
This detailed inspection enables them to devise a remedial plan, which is purposefully tailored to accommodate your specific situation and requirements. They are committed to deal with the animals in an empathetic, humane and ethical manner. It's crucial to bear in mind that the task of deterring rabbits successfully from your garden is a process that requires time and patience.
These animals are highly adaptable and quick learners; hence, consistent efforts are needed to avert them effectively. With the implementation of the right strategies and expert guidance, you have the power to safeguard your garden. Rest assured that making your outdoor space uninhabitable and unattractive to these gentle creatures can indeed be achieved gradually.
Are you experiencing a rabbit pest infestation in the Stevenage or surrounding Hertfordshire areas?
If you are worried that your property has a rabbit problem or infestation we can help.