Rabbits

Rabbits   Imagine planting a green haven in your backyard, only to wake up to a gnawed, wrecked garden, by none other than those cute, furry rabbits. They do not seem cute now, do they? The worst part is that rabbits can feed on an extensive range of plants, from green vegetables to ornamental dahlias and fruit crops. According to a study carried out on olfactory discrimination, rabbits have approximately 17,000 taste buds. Thus, none of your crops are safe from them. Eastern cottontail is the most common species of rabbits you are likely to encounter in North America. With reddish or grayish-brown fur and a distinct white mark on their forehead, cottontail species are easily identified. They also feature long ears, large hind feet, and a white fluffy tail.  But how do you identify if the damage has been done by rabbits or any other North American garden critter? Well, the most evident sign of a rabbit attack is the gnawed down shoots and foliage of woody plants up to a height of 50cm. This is because adult rabbits can stand on their hind legs and damage the crops only up to a certain height. However, this does not make any difference since the damage has been done. What attracts them to the garden? While rabbits may appear harmless and even cute hopping around in your backyard, they can be a huge menace for gardening enthusiasts. There are several reasons why you may be seeing a massive influx of rabbits in your gardens. Let’s take a look! Hideouts When it comes to herbivores, such as rabbits, their biggest concern is feeding without being killed by a predator. This includes both urban and suburban settings, where the risk of being attacked by hawks, coyotes, cats, and dogs is always looming around. Hence, your overgrown backyard garden with dense shrubs serves as the perfect hideout for these garden critters. Vegetations Rabbits feed on a large array of plants, ranging from leafy greens to fruits and berries. Even woody perennials and ornamental flowers are unsafe from these garden pests. The young, tender shoots and foliage are the primary target. Thus, the sight of vegetation of any kind is enough to attract these rabbits, resulting in havoc. Water sources Most wild rabbits use the drainage water and moisture from plants as the principal source of water. However, gardens with ponds, birdbaths and hoses have comparatively more potential of attracting rabbits and other critters. Gardens with accessible water sources also provide a convenient breeding nest for rabbits. How to deter them away? Once the rabbits have seen the way to your garden, it becomes a headache getting rid of them. Hence, it is always better to take precautions beforehand instead of waiting on them to attack your crops. Here are a few simple yet effective ways to keep these invaders out of your garden. Natural deterrents to keep them away: Pungent sprays Deliberately introducing pungent odors is a great way to repel rabbits away from your garden. You can use commercial products containing ingredients such as garlic, red pepper, and cayenne pepper to help deter the critters without causing them any harm.   You can also place onion bulbs at different locations in your garden for the same effect. In addition to sprays, you can also plant species with strong smells, such as marigold and mint. While this method does not always show success, it is worth a try. Keeping pets Letting your household pets, such as cats and dogs chase away the critters is an excellent way to keep your garden safe. They do not necessarily kill the pests, rather chase them away, so you do not have to worry about animal cruelty as well. Sprinkle spices on plants Lightly sprinkling spices, like crushed black pepper, red pepper, garlic powder, or hot sauce can send a warning signal to garden pests. The best part is that it is neither harmful to the plants, nor the garden critters, and deters them away without substantial damage. However, if you sprinkle spices on the plants, make sure you keep your children and pets away from your garden. In case of harvest, wash the fruits and vegetables properly before consuming them. Visual repellants Placing metal pinwheels, rubber objects, and statues sometimes work in deterring the rabbits away. However, you will have to frequently change their locations so the critters do not get used to them. A common belief regarding rabbits is that they are afraid of their own reflections. Hence, placing mirrors or glass jars filled with water around your plants can also scare them away. This type of visual deterrent also requires constant change of positions, so as to surprise the animals. Premise of other deterrents Fencing In order to keep your crops safe from these mischievous garden pests, you not only need to put physical barriers around your backyard, but also around individual plants. Garden mesh is the most common type of fencing, since it is cost effective as well as practical.   If you have some extra bucks in your pocket, you can also get electrical fencing around your garden. Don’t worry, it will not kill any innocent animal! It has just the right amount of current needed to scare the rabbits away. Plant rabbit resistant species Although rabbits chomp on anything and everything, there are some plants that are relatively safe due to their pungent smell or strong taste. This includes marigold, sunflower, lilac, juniper, mint, onion, and garlic. Keep in mind, the list may vary, thus, it is always better to try out different species and see what works best in your garden.   Another option is to grow weeds, such as clover on the outskirts of your garden. This way the rabbits will feed on the weeds and may leave your crops alone. Hide nesting areas It is not always food that attracts rabbits to your gardens. More often than not, it is the shady, safe nesting ground that lures the rabbits, ultimately damaging your property. Hence, keep your garden clean from weeds and overgrown bushes, so the rabbits do not see it as a potential nesting area.