“Is there anything rabbits don’t like?” enquired an exasperated acquaintance.
“Under duress, probably not, at least in the ornamental, fruit or vegetable line,” one is forced to conclude. According to the Petersen Field Guide to the Small Mammals, the eastern cottontail “Feeds on green vegetation in summer, bark and twigs in winter . . . can do considerable damage to gardens, shrubs, and small trees.”
So what deters Sylvilagus floridanus, or any of its numerous nephews and nieces? Three strategies are open to the urban gardener: repellents, barriers and resistant perennials.
Repellents:
Almost all degrade rapidly in sunlight and higher temperatures or when subjected to rain or irrigation. Consequently, almost all require frequent replacement.
Powdered cayenne or hot chilli pepper is frequently recommended, although even if purchased from Bulk Barn or similar outlets can run rather expensive.
Granulated blood meal fertilizer is somewhat cheaper but frequent application over-fertilizes nearby plantings. Also the pet pooch loves to lick it up – then breath in your face.
Cat litter sprinkled along the border repels rabbits, according to Alexis Kendrie of Stratford, Ontario, in the ‘Over the Fence,’ feature of Harrowsmith magazine. Of course, do not apply in the vegetable garden, he advises. (Note: cat litter may contain various deodourizing chemicals).
Humane urine applied along the garden perimeter works for while but as with most in this class, requires refreshing frequently. Practically possible for small gardens, may require frequent nocturnal beer parties for more extensive landscapes.
The trunks of trees and shrubs may be painted or sprayed with a foul-tasting preparation sold under the commercial name of ‘Skoot’ (Plant Products), available at any garden centre worthy of the name.
There are mechanical water-squirting sprayers available that work off a motion detector in a similar manner to home protection devices. While said to be effective, for obvious reasons they cannot be deployed in below-freezing conditions.
Barriers:
A chain link fence is the ultimate answer, although a determined rabbit may burrow under it. For this reason, extending a 30 cm (12-inch) wide section below grade and angle 45º out from the fence is recommended. At last one large patio paver should be installed below the gate as a similar barrier to burrowing.
Individual trees can be protected with collars of hardware wire mesh but these must extend at last two metres (6-feet) or more up the trunk to protect bark in winter, when rabbits can reach higher by standing on snow.
Over Michigan way, Kerry Meyer tells us that, “so far the electric fence is doing the job, there’s been no critter damage in the veggie garden.” Kerry is a farmer’s daughter and exactly what form of electric fence is left unsaid. There are pulsating electric fences for home garden use available. Most municipal regulations are vague as to their use. With the current controversy over Taser use, tread carefully.
Resistant perennials:
Note the word resistant – a hungry rabbit may eat anything. According to professional grower Janet Anderson Perennials, the following plants are just that, resistant.
Achillea Yarrow
Aconitum Monkshood
Adenophora Lilyleaf Ladybell
Alchemilla Lady’s Mantle
Anemone Windflower
Aquilegia Columbine
Aster Michaelmas Daisy
Astilbe False Spirea
Azorella -
Baptisia Wild Indigo
Bergenia -
Campanula Bell Flower
Digitalis Foxglove
Eryngium Sea Holly
Euphorbia Spurge
Geranium Cranesbill
Helleborus Christmas Rose, Lenten Rose
Hemerocallis Daylily
Hosta Lily
Iris -
Nepeta Catmint
Opuntia Prickly Pear Cactus
Polemonium Jacob’s Ladder
Salvia Sage
Sedum Stonecrop
Sempervivum Houseleek, Hens-and-Chicks
Stachys Lamb’s Ear
Viola Violet
Finally, if all this was not enough, Canadian and Swiss scientists have been busy creating robot rabbits. The journal Nature reports that in B.C., “a scientist has built a therapeutic bunny that responds to petting. Meanwhile a Swiss team has developed a microbot that hops hither and thither.” Next step, suggests a frisky Nature, will be “designing an automation fueled by lettuce.”
