Tips For How To Get Rid Of Bunnies In My Yard Safely

Finding cute little bunnies in your yard can seem sweet at first. But soon, you might see your plants disappearing. Rabbits love to eat gardens. This causes garden damage from rabbits. Many people want to know how to get rid of bunnies in my yard. The good news is you can use safe and kind ways. This guide tells you how to keep rabbits away without hurting them. We will look at different methods like using barriers, smells, and other safe steps for humane rabbit removal.

How To Get Rid Of Bunnies In My Yard
Image Source: pestdude.com

Finding Out If Rabbits Are There

Before you try to remove rabbits, make sure they are the problem. Look for signs of rabbits in yard.

What to Look For

Rabbits leave clues. If you see these things, bunnies are likely living or visiting your yard:

Chewed Plants: Rabbit teeth make clean cuts. They often eat young plants, flowers, and vegetables close to the ground. You might see stems cut at an angle.
Droppings: Rabbit poop looks like small, round pellets. They are about the size of a pea. You might find them in groups on the lawn or near eaten plants.
Tracks: In soft dirt or snow, you might see small paw prints. Rabbit tracks show four toes on the back feet and five on the front. Back feet are usually in front of the front feet when they hop.
Burrows or Nests: Rabbits dig holes in the ground for shelter. These are their burrows. Mother rabbits also make nests for babies in shallow dips in the ground. They pull grass and fur over the top to hide it. Look for patches of dead grass or fur.

Why Rabbits Like Your Yard

Your yard might be a perfect spot for rabbits. They look for food, water, and shelter.

What Pulls Rabbits In

Easy Food: Gardens, flower beds, and even lawns give rabbits plenty to eat.
Water Source: Bird baths, pet water bowls, or even puddles can provide water.
Safe Places: Bushes, tall grass, decks, or sheds offer places to hide from danger.
Open Space: Lawns give them room to move and spot danger.

If your yard has these things, rabbits might find it very inviting. To get rid of them, you need to make your yard less welcoming.

Being Kind to Rabbits

Getting rid of rabbits should be done gently. Humane rabbit removal means you do not harm the animals. The goal is to make them want to leave on their own. Or to stop them from coming in the first place. This is a key part of how to deter rabbits.

Keeping Rabbits Out: Physical Walls

Building a barrier is a very good way to keep bunnies out of garden areas. A rabbit proof fence stops them from reaching your plants.

Building the Right Fence

A simple fence needs to be the right size and shape.

Height: Rabbits can jump, but not very high. A fence 2 to 3 feet tall is often enough.
Going Underground: Rabbits can also dig under fences. The fence material should go into the ground. Bury it at least 6 to 12 inches deep. Bend the bottom part outward like an ‘L’ shape. This stops them if they try to dig down next to the fence.
Material: Use wire mesh or chicken wire. The holes should be small. One inch or less is best. This stops young rabbits from squeezing through.
Making a Gate: If your fence needs a gate, make sure it closes tightly to the ground and fits well on the sides.

Building a rabbit proof fence takes work, but it is a long-term fix. It protects your garden directly.

Other Wall Ideas

You don’t have to fence the whole yard. You can fence just a garden bed. Or you can use row covers.

Row Covers: These are light cloths or screens you put over plants. They let sun and water through but keep rabbits out. They are good for protecting new plants or vegetables. You can buy frames or just lay the cover over small plants and hold down the edges.
Netting: You can use bird netting draped over plants or small frames. Make sure the bottom is secure so rabbits cannot push under it.

Using Smells and Tastes: Repellents

Rabbits do not like certain smells or tastes. You can use these to make them stay away. These are called rabbit repellent.

Types of Repellents

There are two main types of rabbit repellent: store-bought and natural.

Store-Bought Repellents: These come in sprays or powders. They often use things like predator urine (like fox or coyote), blood meal, or strong-smelling oils. Follow the directions carefully. You need to put them where rabbits eat or travel.
Natural Rabbit Repellent: You can make or use things you have at home.
- Smelly Plants: Plant things rabbits hate. Marigolds, garlic, onions, and some herbs like rosemary or basil can help. Put them around your garden edges.
- Homemade Sprays: Mix things like garlic and chili powder with water. Some people use dish soap. Spray this on plants (do a small test area first). You must spray again after rain.
- Strong Smells: Put things with strong smells around the garden. Bars of strong soap hung up, human hair, or even dirty cat litter (be careful with this near food plants and local rules) can sometimes work. The smell tells rabbits that a predator might be near.

How to Use Repellents Well

Change It Up: Rabbits can get used to smells. Use different types of rabbit repellent.
Reapply: Rain washes repellents away. You need to put them on again often. New plant growth also needs spraying.
Spray Low: Rabbits eat plants near the ground. Focus your spraying on the lower parts of plants and around the edges.
Cover All Areas: Spray all plants you want to protect. Rabbits will just move to ones that are not sprayed.

A table can show some natural rabbit repellent options:

Natural Repellent Item	How to Use It	How it Works	Need to Repeat?
Garlic/Chili Spray	Mix with water, spray on plants.	Bad taste/smell.	Yes, after rain.
Marigold Flowers	Plant around garden edges.	Smell rabbits dislike.	Yes, replant if needed.
Strong Soap Bars	Hang near plants.	Strong smell scares them.	Yes, when smell fades.
Blood Meal Powder	Sprinkle around plants.	Smells like danger.	Yes, after rain.
Human Hair	Scatter around plants.	Smells like people (sometimes works).	Yes, often.

Using natural rabbit repellent can be a gentle way to keep bunnies away.

Making the Yard Less Nice for Rabbits

Besides walls and smells, you can change your yard so rabbits don’t want to stay. This is another way how to deter rabbits.

Changing Their Home

Cut Grass: Keep your lawn short. Rabbits like tall grass for hiding. Short grass makes them feel unsafe from birds of prey or other animals.
Trim Bushes: Cut back bushes and other plants that touch the ground. This removes hiding spots.
Clean Up Piles: Remove brush piles, old wood, or anything else rabbits could hide under or in.
Block Under Structures: Close off spaces under decks, sheds, or porches. Rabbits might try to make nests or burrows there. Use wire mesh buried partly underground.

Making Noise or Light

Rabbits are shy. Sudden noise or light can scare them.

Motion Sprinklers: These hook to your hose. When a rabbit walks by, the sprinkler sprays water. This scares the rabbit away. It is humane and also waters your plants.
Motion Lights: Lights that turn on when something moves can scare rabbits away at night.
Wind Chimes or Reflective Items: Shiny objects or things that make noise in the wind might make rabbits nervous. Hang old CDs or foil strips.

These methods are good for how to deter rabbits without touching them.

Thinking About Live Trapping

Sometimes, rabbits are already living in your yard or garden. If other methods do not work, you might think about live trapping rabbits. This means catching them in a cage trap and moving them somewhere else.

Using a Live Trap Safely

Live trapping rabbits requires care for the animal’s safety and your area’s rules.

Get the Right Trap: Use a trap made for rabbits or small animals. It should be big enough for the rabbit to fit inside without getting hurt. Look for traps that are safe and do not harm the animal.
Choose a Spot: Place the trap where you have seen rabbits. Put it near eaten plants or along paths they use.
Add Bait: Put food inside the trap to bring the rabbit in. Good bait includes fresh vegetables like lettuce, carrots, or apple slices. A trail of bait leading into the trap can help.
Check Often: It is very important to check the trap often. Rabbits can get scared, hot, or cold in a trap. Check it at least every few hours, especially in hot or cold weather. Check first thing in the morning and last thing at night.
Move the Rabbit: Once you catch a rabbit, you need to move it. Find a safe place away from homes and gardens. A natural area like a park or woods is often best. The distance should be far enough so the rabbit does not come back, but not so far it cannot find food or shelter. Ask your local wildlife office for advice on where to release animals.
Follow Rules: Before you live trapping rabbits, check your local and state laws. There might be rules about trapping and moving wildlife. You might need a permit. Some places do not allow moving certain animals.

Live trapping rabbits is a last step for humane rabbit removal. It should be done only when needed and always with kindness for the animal. Make sure the rabbit is released quickly and safely.

Asking for Help: Wildlife Pest Control

If you have many rabbits, or if you cannot handle the problem yourself, you can call a professional. Wildlife pest control services know how to deal with animals safely and kindly.

What They Do

Wildlife pest control experts can:

Find the Animals: They can figure out where the rabbits are coming from and why they are staying.
Suggest Methods: They can tell you the best ways to get rid of rabbits for your yard. This might include building fences, using repellents, or trapping.
Trap and Remove: They can live trap rabbits for you and move them according to the law.
Offer Advice: They can give tips on how to stop rabbits from coming back in the future.

Using a wildlife pest control service can save you time and worry. They know the rules and the safest ways to handle wild animals. Make sure they use humane methods. Ask them about their approach to humane rabbit removal.

Keeping Rabbits Away for Good

Once you have cleared your yard or protected your plants, you want to keep it that way. Preventing rabbits from coming back is key.

Long-Term Plans

Keep Barriers Strong: Check your rabbit proof fence and other barriers often. Fix any holes or weak spots right away. Digging animals or weather can damage them.
Use Repellents Wisely: Continue using rabbit repellent, especially on new plants or during times when rabbits are most active (spring and late summer). Change the type you use sometimes.
Keep Your Yard Clean: Continue removing hiding places. Keep grass short. Store wood and other items neatly off the ground.
Talk to Neighbors: If your neighbors also have rabbit problems, work together. What they do in their yard affects yours.
Think About Food: Try not to leave pet food or bird seed out where rabbits can get to it.
Water Sources: Fix leaky outdoor faucets. Remove standing water.

By doing these things, you make your yard less appealing to rabbits over time. This is the best way how to deter rabbits for the long run.

Diving Deeper into Rabbit Proof Fences

Let’s look more closely at building a good rabbit proof fence. Getting this right is key to keeping bunnies out of garden areas.

Steps to Build a Basic Fence

Plan the Area: Decide exactly which area you need to protect. Measure it. This helps you buy enough materials.
Choose Materials: Get wire mesh with small holes (1 inch or less). You will need fence posts (metal or wood). Get ties or staples to attach the wire to the posts. Get wire cutters and a tool to dig holes for posts.
Put in Posts: Place posts around the edge of the area. Put them no more than 8-10 feet apart. Use a post driver or dig holes to set the posts firmly in the ground. Make sure they are deep enough to be strong.
Attach Wire (Above Ground): Start at one post. Roll out the wire mesh. Attach it to the posts. The top of the fence should be 2-3 feet high. Use ties or staples to hold the wire tight against the posts.
Attach Wire (Underground Part): Roll out the wire mesh down to the ground. Let another 6-12 inches lie flat on the ground away from the fence line. Or, dig a trench 6-12 inches deep and put the wire straight down into it. Bending the wire outward on the surface is often easier and works well.
Cover the Bottom: If you laid the wire flat on the ground, cover it with soil, rocks, or mulch. This makes it hard for rabbits to dig right next to the fence. If you put it in a trench, fill the trench with soil.
Make it Tight: Pull the wire tight as you go. A loose fence is easier for rabbits to get past or under.
Add a Gate: If you need to get inside the fence, build a simple gate. Use a frame and cover it with the same wire mesh. Make sure the gate fits tightly against the posts and the ground when closed. Use strong hinges and a latch.

Building a fence takes effort, but it is a lasting way to keep bunnies out of garden plants. It stops garden damage from rabbits from happening.

More About Natural Rabbit Repellents

Let’s explore natural rabbit repellent ideas more. These are safe for pets and people and the environment.

DIY Spray Recipes

You can make simple sprays using common kitchen items.

Garlic Spray:
- Crush several cloves of garlic.
- Put them in a jar with hot water. Let it sit overnight.
- Strain out the garlic pieces.
- Add a small amount of dish soap (it helps the spray stick to leaves).
- Put the liquid in a spray bottle.
- Spray plants in the early morning or late evening.
Chili Pepper Spray:
- Mix chili powder or crushed red pepper flakes with water.
- Let it sit for a day.
- Strain.
- Add a little dish soap.
- Spray on plants. Be careful not to get it in your eyes or mouth. Wash your hands well after using.
Vinegar Spray:
- Some people spray plain white vinegar around the edges of their garden.
- Rabbits dislike the strong smell.
- Do not spray vinegar directly on plants, as it can harm them. Use it only on the soil or borders.

Using Plants Rabbits Don’t Like

Planning your garden can help keep bunnies away. Plant things that rabbits usually avoid.

Flowers: Marigolds, petunias, snapdragons, and zinnias are often left alone.
Herbs: Mint, rosemary, sage, thyme, and basil are good choices.
Vegetables: Rabbits sometimes avoid onions, garlic, tomatoes (the leaves, not the fruit), potatoes (the leaves), and corn.

Planting these around the edge of a vegetable garden can create a living natural rabbit repellent border.

Other Natural Ideas

Coffee Grounds: Sprinkle used coffee grounds around plants. Rabbits dislike the smell and texture.
Egg Shells: Crush egg shells and scatter them. The sharp edges can bother rabbit paws.
Irish Spring Soap: Cut up bars of this soap and place pieces in small bags or containers near plants. The strong scent is said to deter rabbits.

Natural rabbit repellent methods work best when used together and reapplied often. They are a key part of how to deter rabbits in a gentle way.

Going Deeper with Habitat Changes

Making your yard less cozy for rabbits involves looking at where they eat, hide, and travel.

Removing Food Sources

Beyond your garden, think about other food.

Bird Feeders: Clean up spilled seeds under bird feeders. This is an easy food source.
Fruit Trees: Pick up fallen fruit regularly.
Garbage: Make sure trash cans are closed tightly.

Eliminating Shelter Spots

Walk around your yard and look for potential hiding spots from a rabbit’s point of view.

Low Bushes: Trim branches so they are at least a foot off the ground.
Wood Piles: Stack wood neatly on a raised platform or rack.
Equipment: Store lawn mowers, tools, and other items in a shed or garage.
Kids’ Toys: Put away toys, especially tunnels or structures that rabbits might hide in.

Closing off spaces under structures is very important. Use heavy gauge wire mesh. Attach it firmly to the structure and bury the bottom edge deep. This stops rabbits from nesting there, which is often why they stay in a yard.

More on Live Trapping Rabbits – Regulations

If you choose live trapping rabbits, knowing the rules is vital. These rules protect wildlife and people.

Checking Your Local Laws

Wildlife laws are different everywhere.

State Wildlife Agency: Contact your state’s fish and wildlife department or natural resources agency. They can tell you the specific rules for trapping and relocating rabbits in your area.
City/County Rules: Some cities or counties have their own rules about wildlife. Check with your local animal control or city office.
Permits: You might need a special permit to trap animals.
Relocation Sites: Laws often say where you can and cannot release trapped animals. Releasing them on someone else’s private property without permission is usually illegal. There might be rules about releasing them in parks or public lands. Some places require release within a certain distance or not at all.
Animal Care: Rules might cover how often you must check traps and how to care for the animal while it is trapped.
Species: Rules can differ based on the type of rabbit. The most common in many yards is the Eastern Cottontail.

Ignoring these rules can lead to fines or other problems. Always get information from the official source before you live trapping rabbits. If the rules are complicated, calling wildlife pest control is a good idea. They already know the laws. This ensures humane rabbit removal is done legally and correctly.

When to Call Wildlife Pest Control

Wildlife pest control is a service focused on dealing with wild animals that cause problems. They are part of a larger effort called wildlife management or urban wildlife control.

What Wildlife Experts Offer

Knowledge: They understand animal behavior and local wildlife issues.
Tools: They have the right equipment for trapping and exclusion.
Safety: They know how to handle animals safely for themselves, you, and the animal.
Legal Compliance: They know and follow all trapping and relocation laws.
Full Service: They can not only remove animals but also help find how they got in and fix the problem area. For example, they can find and close burrows or build barriers.
Different Animals: If you have problems with other animals too, they can help with that.

If you have tried basic methods and rabbits are still causing major garden damage from rabbits, or if you find sick or injured rabbits, calling wildlife pest control is wise. They are experts in humane rabbit removal.

Putting It All Together: A Plan

Dealing with rabbits in your yard works best with a plan. Here is a step-by-step approach using what we have learned about how to deter rabbits safely.

Confirm the Problem: Look for signs of rabbits in yard (droppings, chewed plants, tracks). Make sure it is rabbits causing the garden damage from rabbits.
Make Your Yard Less Welcoming:
- Clean up hiding spots (trim bushes, remove brush piles).
- Block access under decks or sheds.
- Remove easy food sources (fallen seeds, fruit).
Build Barriers:
- Put up a rabbit proof fence around your garden beds.
- Make sure it is the right height (2-3 ft) and buried correctly (6-12 inches deep, L-shape outward).
- Use wire mesh with small holes (1 inch or less).
- Consider row covers for specific plants.
Use Repellents:
- Apply commercial or natural rabbit repellent (like garlic spray, blood meal) on or around plants.
- Change repellents sometimes.
- Reapply often, especially after rain.
- Plant things rabbits dislike around garden edges (natural rabbit repellent).
Try Scare Tactics:
- Use motion-activated sprinklers or lights if needed.
If Needed, Consider Live Trapping:
- Understand and follow all local laws for live trapping rabbits and relocation.
- Use a proper trap.
- Check the trap very often.
- Release the rabbit quickly and safely in a suitable location allowed by law.
- Only do this if necessary and if you can do it humanely (humane rabbit removal).
Get Help if Stuck:
- Contact wildlife pest control if the problem is big, you cannot fix it, or you need help with trapping and legal release.
Keep Up the Effort:
- Check and fix fences regularly.
- Keep up with repellents and yard cleaning.

Using these steps helps you manage rabbits in your yard in a way that is effective and kind.

Summary of Safe Methods

Fences: Physical barriers work best to keep bunnies out of garden beds.
Repellents: Smells and tastes rabbits dislike can make them leave.
Habitat Change: Making your yard less safe or appealing reduces visits.
Humane Trapping: Live trapping is a last resort and must follow rules for humane rabbit removal.
Professional Help: Wildlife pest control offers expert knowledge and services.

All these methods focus on how to deter rabbits safely. The goal is to protect your plants and peace of mind while being kind to the wild animals around you.

Frequently Asked Questions

h4: Will mothballs get rid of rabbits?

Some old tips say to use mothballs. But mothballs contain chemicals that are bad for the environment and can hurt animals, pets, and people. Many experts and wildlife pest control services do not recommend using mothballs for rabbits. They are not a safe natural rabbit repellent option. There are better, safer ways to deter rabbits.

h4: Do coffee grounds really keep rabbits away?

Coffee grounds are a natural rabbit repellent that some people find works. Rabbits seem to dislike the strong smell and maybe the texture. It is a safe thing to try. Sprinkle used grounds around plants. It also helps the soil. You may need to use other methods too, as it might not work for all rabbits or in all yards.

h4: How high can a rabbit jump?

Most rabbits in yards (like the Eastern Cottontail) can jump about 2 feet high. A fence 2 to 3 feet tall is usually high enough to stop them from jumping over. Remember they can also dig under, so make sure the fence goes into the ground.

h4: Is it okay to move a trapped rabbit far away?

Relocating a trapped animal can be complex. Moving them too far might put them in an area where they cannot find food, water, or shelter. It can also cause problems with other animals already living there. Also, there are often laws about how far you can move wildlife. Contact your local wildlife agency or wildlife pest control service for the best advice on relocation distance and legal release sites.

h4: How can I protect my new small plants?

New, tender plants are often the first to suffer garden damage from rabbits. Use temporary barriers like chicken wire cages around single plants. Or use row covers over whole garden rows. These give plants time to grow stronger before rabbits can get to them. Applying rabbit repellent directly to the plants (if safe for the plant) can also help protect them while they are young.

By using these tips, you can enjoy your yard and garden without the problems caused by rabbits, while keeping them safe too.