Rabbit Problems??

[nelle]

Does anyone know how to stop rabbits from eating all of my plants ? My dahalias(sp) were just about to bloom when they ate them clear to the ground and now they are eating my hot pepper plants(i hope they get heart burn ). They also eat my hostas, my lupines which I just bought, and my phlox. I've tried moth balls but they just ignore it and my son likes to play with them so no more moth balls. Any suggestions? We have used a live trap however all we can catch is squirrels they are also a pain but they aren't eating my flowers.
Help
Thanks

 

[Snowwark]

Welcome Janelle!

I'm sorry those wasically wabbits are feasting on your plants. It's a problem that comes up often on the F&G board. Deer and rabbits, so cute to watch, but not when they're gorging themselves on our gardens.

Here's some info from the Wisconsin Humane Society ~ Answers to Common Urban Wildlife Questions~ I hope it's of some help to you.

~ Wild animals are eating my flowers and my garden plants. What can I do?

Animals eating flowers or other garden plants are common problems. There are several methods you can employ to keep your garden safe from foraging animals.

The most effective, long-term solution is to install fencing around your garden. It should be at least 4 feet high and ideally buried 12" below ground. This will discourage digging animals such as woodchucks. But even an 18" high fence should keep rabbits out. Remove any brush piles that may be attracting wildlife.
Place human or dog hair around affected areas.
Use an artificial owl or fake snake to try to scare animals away. This should be moved periodically.
Sprinkle dried blood, red or black pepper or chili powder around your plants.
Place wire mesh cages around vulnerable plants.
Tabasco sauce mixed with water can be sprayed on edible plants, then washed off for human consumption.
A variety of safe commercial animal repellents can be purchased at your local garden center. After frequent or heavy rains they may need to be reapplied.

Several plants are offensive to wildlife and can therefore replace or serve to protect preferred ones. These include marigolds, garlic, onions, iris, peonies, daylilies, begonias, boxwood, witch hazel, bayberry, willow, highbush, cranberry, daffodils, snapdragons and silver mound.

Please remember: if you plant flowers or a garden, you will attract wildlife. Trapping and relocating an animal is merely a short term fix, as more animals will take their place. Also consider what time of year it is; you may be taking a parent animal away from its young. ~

Any rabbit experienced Buds with more helpful hints for Janelle?


Kim