Rabbits destroy everything I plant

Hi all.

Does anyone know how I can humanely control the rabbit population on my little plot of land. I bought it for my project to create a haven for our native flora and fauna that is in decline (with a preference towards the bees because I like them), but the resident rabbits have taken it upon themselves to ensure that nothing grows there without their say so.

I don't really want to harm them, so am reluctant to use poison or traps (I'm not even sure if that's legal), but I've heard conflicting reports of cost effective humane strategies to deter rabbits, but I've not seen any details.

I'm particularly worried because if they are destroying everything now, it's going to be terrible in a couple of months when their first batch of young venture out of the warrens for the first time.

 

Air rifle or trap Im afraid.

The only other option is an electric fence around the boundary.

 

Cann't mix gardening and rabbits i'm afraid borrow someone with a ferret and a gun then put some rabbit proof fencing up once the area is clear.

 

get a gun then you can eat the little pests uuuummm rabbit stew anyone :D

 

Surely rabbits come under the term, Fauna?

 

I once had a rabbit called Flora David.

 

David, you're right of course. Rabbits come under the term Fauna. The thing this my project is to try to increase biodiversity, and offer a safe haven for stuff that Britain is slowly losing, in the hope that I can in some way help to reverse the decline. The trouble with the rabbits is that not only are their numbers increasing so they don't need my help, they are destroying everything I plant which is supposed to provide food and shelter for creatures (like bees and butterflies) that are having a few problems, largely due to years of intensive farming techniques that lead to habit destruction.