Wild rabbits can be a real problem for you and your garden if they get in, because they are often underestimated until they are wreaking havoc in your flowerbeds and shrubbery! Rabbits are known to destroy gardens in hours – that’s right, these cute and fluffy things can be royal pest! That’s why it’s good to try and spot the signs of rabbits in your garden so you can catch the buggers and set them free, and stop more from getting in and ruining your landscaping.
How to detect rabbits
The presence of rabbits can be easily detected from nibbled flowers and leaves, which are known to be their favorite. You might also find pea sized droppings in your garden which might be a clear indicator that your garden is often visited by rabbits. Also, look at the cuts in the leaves and flowers: if they have a clean cut, chances are that the culprit is a rabbit because these animals have both upper and lower incisors and therefore will show neat bites.
Also, if you notice parts of plants have completely disappeared, there is a fair chance that this will have been done by rabbits, because they work fast with plants and can finish off your garden before you know it! If you have pea plants, landscaping or something small and vulnerable like mini peppers sprouting, you should be extra careful of attracting a variety of pests including rabbits.
How to get rid of rabbits
Once you have detected some rabbit damage, don’t worry. There are some simple solutions that can be used to get rid of rabbits and other British widlife:
- Use rabbit repellant around the edges of your garden, around prized plants and anywhere else needed – you can make this yourself or buy a pre-made version online for a very reasonable price.
- If you have rabbits roaming free in your garden but you’re not sure where, you can invest in a humane rabbit trap or make one yourself out of some chicken wire and bits of wood. Then leave them some broccoli, carrot tops/carrots (carrots are high in calcium and should be given sparingly), celery or basil – all treats rabbits love – wait and then set them free in a wild grassland or woody area. Take care when handling the trap, and use gloves as all wild animals may carry diseases.
- Chicken wires are more effective than you think if you place them directly over and around the vulnerable plant because these strong wires would definitely keep the rabbits (or other wildlife) from nibbling away on these plants. You can keep the mesh density to one inch or even smaller than that according to your need.
- Keep them out of your garden by rabbit-proofing your edges and fencing, if it is not already well sealed. You can do this with wire or wood for a more effective option.
- Know that rabbits only target gardens where they can hide easily, so check around or under any decking or sheds where they may be hiding and treat these areas particularly with repellent
- Try potting and removing the plants temporarily; this can be a good way to discourage them from invading your garden and getting them to move on and look elsewhere for food.
- Natural predators like foxes and big birds such as hawks, can also be encouraged in order to keep away rabbits and other rodents that might nibble away at your plants. If you have a dog or cat, these can also be a great repellent, and they’ll certainly sniff them out if they still hanging around!
We hope this helps keep your garden pest free, and get rid of any rabbits you have roaming around your rose bushes! For more landscaping advice check back on our blog regularly for the latest update. You can also check out our variety of landscaping services such as landscaping, garden maintenance, decking, garden designing and more.