Rabbit deterrents?

Hi rabbits are a real problem in my garden but i cant put any chicken wire up..i was thinking something like pieces of cloth soaked in chili and soap, do you think this would deter the rabbits? only other thing is to trap them and make a nice rabbit stew but there is soo many round here id be trapping for months.

any other ideas? i need something that can last at least a month as i dont want to visit every week

 

Trapping only reduces the problem and the effects don't last for long (rabbits do what rabbits do). Deterrents only work in very limited areas and are very limited in effect. As Marley says the only really effective solution is a physical barrier.

 

I would go along with chicken wire being the only sure way to keep rabbit off new shoots. A big garden I look after is over-run with wild-life. If it's nibbled up to a foot above the ground, it's rabbits, any higher and it's deer. They even stripped the outer hairy skin of some huge pieces of ivy stem that I cut out of a yew tree. It was so thick, I had to cut it with a chainsaw and transport to the bonfire behind the tractor in a trailer.

It didn't get burnt at first and when I went back a week later, it was as white as bone where the skin had been nibbled off. I guess it's not poisonous to rabbits as I didn't see any dead or sick bunnies. If they eat that, they'll eat anything so all new planting is treated to a wire cage. Not pretty but it lets the plants toughen up.

I try not to kill anything but it has been suggested that a couple of blokes with shotguns would reduce the population but as Dave says about trapping, rabbits will do what rabbits do and it'll be back up to strength in no time.
Chris

 

My Rabbit Deterrant





Destructive little bu**gers.!

 

Hi Howard. I'd appreciate details of the weapon as I'm struggling to find one that will kill rabbits over 10 yds (Metres) away.:wink:

 

A crossbow with blunt prods can be very effective and quieter than a sound moderated air rifle. But I'm not sure if crossbows are still legal in the UK. I've not used one but had a neighbour who did, and with great success.

 

Caja,
What you need is an air Rifle with the full legal limit of 12ft/lbs.
Or, you can apply for a Firearms cert and get a real killa.
Look in Airgunbbs.com for tips.
My rifle is only 12ft/lbs and is good up to 50 metres.
The most important thing is to shoot where there is no chance of ricocet from hard objects like stones etc.
I think it is illegal to hunt with Bow/Crossbow now, but not too sure about that.

Howard

 

Seems like a fence of some sort is the way forward. What height would i need to keep them away? I need to put a fence around a 10ft by 6 ft bed so dont want them jumping over

 

Over a metre.!
It's not just over, they will bury under a fence, so you have to make a trench into the ground.
How deep.?, they are expert diggers.
From experience, you have to make them afraid of your "patch" by making it a no-go area.
They do learn, "my" rabbits know their safe boundary.

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_high_can_a_bunny_jump

I think it depends on how hungry and how tasty your plants smell.
They are determined little b*ggers.

 

As regards the fence idea. It has to be 4' high. The mesh on the fence has to be laid in an "L" shape with the bottom of the "L" extending about 2-3' on the non-veg patch side. It's better if you bury that bit. I prefer Howards idea!!

 

hi folks as i have posted in other sections before on this subject i will put my offer out again if there is anyone within 50 miles of wirral with a rabbit or pigeon or squirrel problem and i can help free of charge i will do i am licensed f.a.c. and s.g.c. and insured with 30 years experience also near silent
regards
john