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3catwoman3

(24,006 posts)
Sat Jun 24, 2017, 10:52 AM Jun 2017

Rabbits, rabbits EVERYWHERE! HELP!!!

Our neighborhood has a bumper crop of rabbits this year. We've always had a few, but I have never seen as many as we have this season.

I have a soft spot for rabbits. One of my favorite childhood books was Rabbit Hill, and its sequel, The Tough Winter. The bunnies are actually quite entertaining to watch as they chase each other around the yard. (Not sure if they are playing, or trying to make more rabbits.) We saw a young one the other day jumping straight up and down in front of a group of sparrows - several times, so it looked quite intentional, but to what purpose, we wondered.

Anyway, my husband finds them somewhat less entertaining than I do, as they are laying waste to some expensive new landscaping. I can see his point. We have no wish to harm them, nor to destroy them.

Anyone here know any effective rabbit deterrent techniques?

ETA: We don't have dogs, and out cats are indoor cats, so no help there. The next door neighbor has a HUGE Greman shepherd, and has rabbits living under her deck.

Humor is fine, but I could use some serious suggestions.

21 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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WhiteTara

(29,718 posts)
3. My cats sometimes give them a run for their money.
Sat Jun 24, 2017, 10:59 AM
Jun 2017

I have raised beds, so they don't eat much of my garden. Other than run around, I haven't seen a lot of bunny damage. The armadillos on the other hand are so destructive. They did little holes in the ground, to eat the grubs, I'm sure.

irisblue

(32,980 posts)
4. Angel dogs Alex, Duke & Princess Peanut convinced the bunnies to move along to the next yards over
Sat Jun 24, 2017, 11:01 AM
Jun 2017

the years. Could you borrow dogs for a bit, off&on?

brewens

(13,594 posts)
5. Live baby bunnies are the best bass bait there is. Tell your fishing buddies to come thin them out
Sat Jun 24, 2017, 11:02 AM
Jun 2017

a little.

Doreen

(11,686 posts)
11. The second I saw the question my first thought was stew.
Sat Jun 24, 2017, 11:19 AM
Jun 2017

I quickly looked at answers to see if I was the only one. I am glad I am not. I used to live on rabbit when I had no money to buy food.

meadowlark5

(2,795 posts)
9. When I went to pick up my son at his friend's house
Sat Jun 24, 2017, 11:10 AM
Jun 2017

I saw 9 running around in a one block area. His friend lives in a neighborhood but near open space. Usually coyotes will reduce the bunny population. But coyotes don't fit with the sanitized living most Americans prefer. So those are the things that get killed or exterminated. Anyone can kill a coyote in our state as they are nuisance animals.

I'm noticing more around my house and I do live out in the country so I expect to hear the coyotes singing and hooting in the night soon. They go where the food is and they'll be coming for my bunnies soon. Which doesn't make me sad, they are food

Bayard

(22,099 posts)
10. I can lend you several bored barn cats!
Sat Jun 24, 2017, 11:15 AM
Jun 2017

Or, you can find online or at some feed stores, a product that simulates coyote urine. Scares off any of their prey animals. I'd put that around my landscaping. You just have to reapply after rain. It doesn't have much smell for humans.

Sanity Claws

(21,849 posts)
12. Go to https://www.democraticunderground.com/?comforum&id1159
Sat Jun 24, 2017, 11:23 AM
Jun 2017

I laughed at some of the responses. Instead of the Lounge, you might want to try the Gardening group. That's where that link will take you.

mopinko

(70,121 posts)
13. they are driving me nuts.
Sat Jun 24, 2017, 11:27 AM
Jun 2017

ate every one of my pea plants this spring.
fingers crossed they havent discovered the beans.

CrispyQ

(36,478 posts)
14. A cloche?
Sat Jun 24, 2017, 11:44 AM
Jun 2017

I've never used one, so I don't know if they're effective, but they look like they would be.

haele

(12,660 posts)
15. Fox spray solution.
Sat Jun 24, 2017, 11:57 AM
Jun 2017

Go to your local feed store and see if they have that or any other smelly bunny repellent.


Also, look for the burrows and mark them for later modifications...nothing you can do about a momma bunny and her kittens when they're nesting unless you want to use a final solution and flood the nests. And the doe will move her kittens into s new burrow if she feels her nest is too vulnerable, so you need to put fox spray near structures and trees/bushes to get her to move further off your property when she decides to move.
After the babies left the nest, I started dumping the dog leavings and used kitty litter down the burrows.
Between the fox spray solution and my additions to the burrows furnishings, we didn't have bunny problems for the next two years we lived at that property...
Did I ever tell the story about clipping a baby bunny's ear half off while weed-wacking the lower backyard? We got it to the wildlife rescue after a quick calm down and patch up so it survived, but my stepdaughter still doesn't forgive me for the trauma...they scream like something getting it's throat cut.

Haele

FakeNoose

(32,645 posts)
17. Mothballs are a safe, inexpensive repellent
Sat Jun 24, 2017, 12:11 PM
Jun 2017

They actually work for a lot of varmints, and deer too.

Mothballs will eventually dissolve if you get a lot of rain however. So you need to check occasionally and put more out when the previous ones have dissolved.

I can still get mothballs at the dollar store or most discount stores like Walmart or Kmart.

Good luck.


Sancho

(9,070 posts)
18. One of my favorite old movies...
Sat Jun 24, 2017, 01:31 PM
Jun 2017


It helps to get some rowdy friends and beer to watch the whole thing.

 

Hoyt

(54,770 posts)
19. Fox and coyotes will take care of them, along with pets. We had a bunch of rabbits until a fox
Sat Jun 24, 2017, 01:37 PM
Jun 2017

moved in. Not really suggesting this, but it did get rid of them. I personally like watching the rabbits come out of hiding to eat.

Loryn

(944 posts)
20. I know some people who have a coyote decoy
Sat Jun 24, 2017, 01:48 PM
Jun 2017

It works for birds, maybe it will work for bunnies. I think they have them at Home Depot.

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