Rabbits and wild rabbits are increasingly penetrating our gardens and quickly becoming a nuisance there. Getting rid of them is not that easy. However, there are absolutely safe methods to drive rabbits out of the garden.

In a nutshell

  • Rabbits can cause significant damage in a garden
  • They should therefore be fought with gentle methods
  • Killing or poisoning the animals must not be an option
  • Organic materials, wire or a fence and dog hair are suitable repellents
  • Our recommendation: A homemade solution with hot sauce

Wild Rabbit Invasion

Bunnies are undoubtedly cute animals. It's a pleasure to watch them hop and frolic in the garden. But make no mistake: they are by no means harmless pets. Rather, they are and will remain wild animals. in most gardens they see nothing but a lavishly set table. Even after an animal invasion, a garden can look like a battlefield afterwards - partly because they enjoy scratching and digging and will eat just about anything that appears edible to them. Prevention and, if necessary, defense are therefore necessary to protect the lovingly tended garden from devastation. There are a number of measures that do not cause any suffering to the animals, but are still very effective.

Notice: If you are not a hunter and have a hunting license, you are not allowed to shoot or otherwise kill wild animals in your garden. This can have criminal consequences and is usually punished with a fine.

Repel rabbits with scents

Rabbits can be deterred from entering the garden with certain scents. For example, a self-made solution that contains a particularly hot sauce is highly recommended. How to do it:

  • Pour about four liters of warm water into a sealable container
  • Add about 15 milliliters (one tablespoon) of dishwashing liquid
  • Add about 20 milliliters of hot sauce (e.g. Tabasco).
  • Seal container and then shake well
  • Then place the container in the blazing sun for a few hours

Direct sunlight means that the repellent, i.e. the sauce, can dissolve better in the water. The solution is then simply poured into a spray bottle and sprayed, especially at the entrances to the property. It makes sense to spray certain plants (leaves) that wild rabbits eat directly. The process must be repeated over several days.

Tip: Since the animals are particularly active at dusk and at night, it is advisable to carry out the spraying action in the early evening every day.

Free-roaming pets

The second method is also based on the fact that the animals are deterred by certain scents. The scent of their predators in particular naturally has a very deterrent effect on them. In the meantime, for example, urine solutions from foxes can be bought in specialist shops. The solution is then simply mixed with water and sprayed with a spray bottle, especially at the entrances. Dog hair can also have a similar effect. If you have a dog, you should therefore collect the hair that comes free when combing and then distribute it in clumps on the property. It doesn't matter whether it's urine or hair - the processes must be repeated regularly so that the effect does not diminish.

Prevention instead of expulsion

Of course, it's safest if rabbits can't get into the garden at all. Consequently, it is a good idea to close all possible accesses more or less well. The following applies:

  • Be sure to enclose the property with a close-meshed fence
  • Maintain a minimum height of 60 centimetres, 100 centimeters is better
  • additionally secure any existing openings with a close-meshed wire mesh
  • Check fences regularly to see if they are damaged
  • possibly combine with the fragrance measures

frequently asked Questions

Does the sauce solution harm the animals or the plants?

No. Only organic material is used that does not pose any danger to plants and animals.

Can the defensive measures be waived at some point?

In all probability not - at least not permanently. Since new rabbit populations are constantly growing, it is also necessary to fight them off again and again. Usually this is only necessary in spring and summer.

What about chemical repellents?

For reasons of environmental protection, chemicals in the garden should be largely avoided.

Category:

Animals in the garden