Difference between revisions of "Keep Rabbits out of Your Garden Organically"
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#Add a little dish soap. Squeeze in a little dish soap, about 1 tbsp (15 mL). This will help your mixture stick to your plants. This also causes the repellent to mix through the water, instead of floating on top. | #Add a little dish soap. Squeeze in a little dish soap, about 1 tbsp (15 mL). This will help your mixture stick to your plants. This also causes the repellent to mix through the water, instead of floating on top. | ||
#Shake in a spoonful of hot sauce. If you are using a gallon (4 L) jug, mix in 1 tbsp (15 mL) hot sauce. If you have a smaller, 1 quart (1 L) jug, add 1 tsp (5 mL) instead. Close the lid and shake to combine. | #Shake in a spoonful of hot sauce. If you are using a gallon (4 L) jug, mix in 1 tbsp (15 mL) hot sauce. If you have a smaller, 1 quart (1 L) jug, add 1 tsp (5 mL) instead. Close the lid and shake to combine. | ||
| − | #*Leave the bottle in the sun to speed up mixing.<ref>http://premeditatedleftovers.com/gardening/inexpensive-organic-rabbit-repellent/</ref> | + | #*Leave the bottle in the sun to speed up mixing.<ref name="rf1">http://premeditatedleftovers.com/gardening/inexpensive-organic-rabbit-repellent/</ref> |
#Transfer to a spray bottle. If you have a large garden, you may wish to purchase a large garden sprayer from a home improvement store or gardening store. Otherwise, any spray bottle will do. | #Transfer to a spray bottle. If you have a large garden, you may wish to purchase a large garden sprayer from a home improvement store or gardening store. Otherwise, any spray bottle will do. | ||
#*Be cautious when using spray bottles that once contained commercial cleaning products. If the label warns against reusing the bottle, it may cause harm to the rabbit, plants, or people who eat the plants. | #*Be cautious when using spray bottles that once contained commercial cleaning products. If the label warns against reusing the bottle, it may cause harm to the rabbit, plants, or people who eat the plants. | ||
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===Other Organic Repellents=== | ===Other Organic Repellents=== | ||
| − | #Use other spicy materials. Just about any spicy materials will keep rabbits away. Always dilute them in soapy water to minimize harm, and so they will stick to the plant. Here are appropriate amounts to add to 1 gallon (4 liters) water:<ref | + | #Use other spicy materials. Just about any spicy materials will keep rabbits away. Always dilute them in soapy water to minimize harm, and so they will stick to the plant. Here are appropriate amounts to add to 1 gallon (4 liters) water:<ref name="rf1" /> |
#*Five to eight cloves crushed garlic | #*Five to eight cloves crushed garlic | ||
#*1–2 tsp (5–10 mL) crushed red pepper | #*1–2 tsp (5–10 mL) crushed red pepper | ||
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#*A mixture of the above may work best of all. | #*A mixture of the above may work best of all. | ||
#Consider raw eggs. Rabbits dislike the smell of raw eggs, although they may get used to it over time. Shake the egg in a spray bottle and spray it onto the plants or around the border to your garden. | #Consider raw eggs. Rabbits dislike the smell of raw eggs, although they may get used to it over time. Shake the egg in a spray bottle and spray it onto the plants or around the border to your garden. | ||
| − | #*This may attract other pests, such as ants.<ref>http://www.how-to-hunt-rabbit.com/Repelling-rabbit.html</ref> | + | #*This may attract other pests, such as ants.<ref name="rf2">http://www.how-to-hunt-rabbit.com/Repelling-rabbit.html</ref> |
| − | #Try blood meal or bonemeal. These are available from gardening supply stores, for sprinkling on the soil around plants. Made from ground animal parts, they may keep rabbits away. These break down quickly when wet, so they are more effective in dry conditions.<ref>http://www.the-organic-gardener.com/blood-meal.html</ref> | + | #Try blood meal or bonemeal. These are available from gardening supply stores, for sprinkling on the soil around plants. Made from ground animal parts, they may keep rabbits away. These break down quickly when wet, so they are more effective in dry conditions.<ref name="rf3">http://www.the-organic-gardener.com/blood-meal.html</ref> |
| − | #*Blood meal adds nitrogen to the soil, promoting green, leafy growth. Apply only during the growing season, and never to legumes.<ref | + | #*Blood meal adds nitrogen to the soil, promoting green, leafy growth. Apply only during the growing season, and never to legumes.<ref name="rf3" /> |
#*Bone meal adds phosphorus to the soil, promoting root health. This is usually not necessary in home garden soil, and may even be detrimental if phosphorus is already high. Do not apply to ''Protea'' plants. | #*Bone meal adds phosphorus to the soil, promoting root health. This is usually not necessary in home garden soil, and may even be detrimental if phosphorus is already high. Do not apply to ''Protea'' plants. | ||
#Purchase predator urine. Spraying predator urine around a garden can keep rabbits and other prey animals away. How effective this is varies greatly depending on predator species, rabbit species, diet of the predator, and other difficult-to-find variables. Unfortunately, research on this topic is limited, but coyote and fox urine are the most commonly used options. | #Purchase predator urine. Spraying predator urine around a garden can keep rabbits and other prey animals away. How effective this is varies greatly depending on predator species, rabbit species, diet of the predator, and other difficult-to-find variables. Unfortunately, research on this topic is limited, but coyote and fox urine are the most commonly used options. | ||
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#Plant rabbit-resistant plants. This is usually an unreliable solution, and requires either replacing all tasty plants or planting a barrier around the entire garden. Some plants will still be eaten by young rabbits, or certain rabbit species. | #Plant rabbit-resistant plants. This is usually an unreliable solution, and requires either replacing all tasty plants or planting a barrier around the entire garden. Some plants will still be eaten by young rabbits, or certain rabbit species. | ||
#*Ideally, get specific advice from a local university extension, to find plants that grow in your climate and deter rabbit species in your area. | #*Ideally, get specific advice from a local university extension, to find plants that grow in your climate and deter rabbit species in your area. | ||
| − | #*Yarrow, foxglove, digitalis, lilac, elderberry, and yucca have all been described as rabbit-proof plants — but again, this is no guarantee.<ref>https://web.extension.illinois.edu/cfiv/homeowners/971227.html</ref><ref>http://www.ifplantscouldtalk.rutgers.edu/planttalk/article.asp?ID=13</ref> | + | #*Yarrow, foxglove, digitalis, lilac, elderberry, and yucca have all been described as rabbit-proof plants — but again, this is no guarantee.<ref name="rf4">https://web.extension.illinois.edu/cfiv/homeowners/971227.html</ref><ref name="rf5">http://www.ifplantscouldtalk.rutgers.edu/planttalk/article.asp?ID=13</ref> |
===Fences and Traps=== | ===Fences and Traps=== | ||
| − | #Create a chicken wire fence. Any mesh fencing with 1" (2.5 cm) holes or smaller should keep rabbits out of the garden. Place this around tree trunks or flowerbeds, or around the entire garden. Follow these guidelines to make sure the rabbits can't jump over or dig under:<ref | + | #Create a chicken wire fence. Any mesh fencing with 1" (2.5 cm) holes or smaller should keep rabbits out of the garden. Place this around tree trunks or flowerbeds, or around the entire garden. Follow these guidelines to make sure the rabbits can't jump over or dig under:<ref name="rf5" /> |
#*Bury the fence 4–6 inches (10–15 cm) deep. Not all rabbit species burrow, but better safe than sorry. | #*Bury the fence 4–6 inches (10–15 cm) deep. Not all rabbit species burrow, but better safe than sorry. | ||
#*Bend the base of the fence. Bending the buried end of the fence 90º outward makes burrowing much more difficult. | #*Bend the base of the fence. Bending the buried end of the fence 90º outward makes burrowing much more difficult. | ||
#*Leave 2 feet (0.6 m) above the surface, or 3 ft (0.9 m) if you live near jackrabbits. | #*Leave 2 feet (0.6 m) above the surface, or 3 ft (0.9 m) if you live near jackrabbits. | ||
#Care for the fence during winter. Chicken wire will last longer if you bring it inside before the first frost. If you have winter plants that need to be protected, keep an eye on snowfall. Rabbits may be able to jump over the fence when snow is high. Clear the snow away from the fence, or invest in more chicken wire. | #Care for the fence during winter. Chicken wire will last longer if you bring it inside before the first frost. If you have winter plants that need to be protected, keep an eye on snowfall. Rabbits may be able to jump over the fence when snow is high. Clear the snow away from the fence, or invest in more chicken wire. | ||
| − | #Check local law before using traps. Even live traps can often cause injury to rabbits, and may cause health and legal problems as well.<ref | + | #Check local law before using traps. Even live traps can often cause injury to rabbits, and may cause health and legal problems as well.<ref name="rf5" /> Due to rabbit-borne diseases, it may be illegal to handle or release wild rabbits in your area. Talk to your local extension office, agriculture office, or center of local government before using traps. |
#Choose a trap based on species. Traps are usually ineffective for jackrabbits. For cottontails (the most common small rabbit species), you'll need a trap with a 7 inch (18 cm) door. Bait the trap with cabbage, dried fruit, or flowers. | #Choose a trap based on species. Traps are usually ineffective for jackrabbits. For cottontails (the most common small rabbit species), you'll need a trap with a 7 inch (18 cm) door. Bait the trap with cabbage, dried fruit, or flowers. | ||
#*Traps work best in winter or early spring, when food is scarce. | #*Traps work best in winter or early spring, when food is scarce. | ||
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== Tips == | == Tips == | ||
| − | *Plastic-coated chicken wire may be more attractive and safer than bare metal wire, since it won't rust.<ref | + | *Plastic-coated chicken wire may be more attractive and safer than bare metal wire, since it won't rust.<ref name="rf5" /> |
*Scarecrows, hanging pie tins, and other "scary" deterrents are usually not worth the effort. They only protect a small area, and rabbits tend to get used to them over time. | *Scarecrows, hanging pie tins, and other "scary" deterrents are usually not worth the effort. They only protect a small area, and rabbits tend to get used to them over time. | ||
*Some gardeners plant a clump of clover or alfalfa to feed rabbits, hoping that they'll be satisfied and avoid less tasty plants. This will likely attract more rabbits in the long run, making it an unsustainable practice. | *Some gardeners plant a clump of clover or alfalfa to feed rabbits, hoping that they'll be satisfied and avoid less tasty plants. This will likely attract more rabbits in the long run, making it an unsustainable practice. | ||
