Rabbit Control: How To Get Rid Of Rabbits

This page is a general Rabbit control guide. Using the products and methods suggested you will get control of Rabbits. Follow this guide and use the recommended products and we guarantee 100% control of Rabbits. Consult local and state guidelines to see if your species of Rabbit is a protected species in your location before applying control.

Believe it or not, rabbits can be damaging to homeowners and businesses.

Rabbits are mammals that can range in size from 8 inches up to 20 inches. Most species have long ears, small whiskers, and powerful hind legs that allow them to move quickly.

Rabbits can be found in a range of habitats from deserts, to meadows, to even wetlands. They thrive in a variety of environments, which means, they are just as comfortable in the woods as they are comfortable in your backyard.

Rabbits like all living things need food and shelter. If your property or home provides them with either they will not hesitate to visit your property. Because their diet is mostly made up of grasses, vegetables, shrubs, and vegetation so gardens and lawns become naturally appealing.

Rabbits can run amok in crops, fields, and home gardens, especially if you live close to parks, woody areas, or undeveloped lands. They also feed on the bark of trees, and their gnawing can cause serious injury to trees, plants, shrubs, and ornamental plants.

Identification

Identification is the first step in control. Before you can treat you need to make sure you’re dealing with a rabbit. Thankfully rabbits are easy to identify. There are many species but most rabbits share the following characteristics.

• Depending on species can range in size from 8 to 20 inches.
• Have powerful hind legs that allow them to move quickly.
• Have tall ears that stand straight above their heads.
• The color of their fur can vary depending on the species, ranging from reddish brown to grey to black to even white in color.
• Usually, have small fluffy tails.

Inspection

Inspection is extremely important for control. Before you can treat you need to make absolutely sure you’re dealing with Rabbits. During the inspection, you will identify damage and the hot spots that Rabbits are visiting.

Where To Inspect

Rabbits are mainly found outdoors, so begin your inspection there. Search in your yard near gardens, flowerbeds, crops, fields, shrubs, bushes, woody plants, near trees, and where vegetables are planted.

What To Look For

You’re looking for signs of Rabbit activity or damage. Rabbits are active throughout the year, which means damage occurs in every season. You can identify rabbit damage by gnawing on tree barks, a 45-degree angle cut off stems, flower heads, or woody twigs, and by their feces. The gnawing on trees is mostly found on young trees but damage to stronger old wood has been observed. The way they cut twigs unlike deer feeding, is cleanly cut off and do not leave a break in branches or branches dangling. Their feces look like small circular pellets (small balls of excrement). Once you have identified Rabbit damage in these areas, this is where you will apply treatment.

Treatment

Once you have confirmed Rabbit activity it is time to begin treatment. Remember to read all product labels and follow the application instructions on these labels, and stay safe by wearing personal protective equipment (PPE).

Step 1 - Outdoor Treatment

Begin treatment outdoors. You will use two products Havahart Live Trap and Animal Stopper Granular Repellent. The Havahart Live trap will allow you to catch Rabbits. Animal Stopper Granular Repellent is an organic repellent that will be used where rabbit damage has occurred.

Havahart Live Trap

The Havahart Live trap is easy to use and place. To use simply release the trigger mechanism, open up the door, and set the trap. Once the trap is set you’ll want to place bait inside. For rabbits we recommend, a series of vegetables such as apples, carrots, cabbage, or other greens. Place the trap where damage has occurred or where you noticed their droppings. Once caught call animal control.

Animal Stopper Granular Repellent

This product is easy to use. Each 2.5 lb. bottle covers 1,800 square feet. Apply it around the perimeter of your structure, or around gardens, fields, and crops where feeding has occurred. Make sure to apply it every 30 days.

Prevention

Prevention is the final step in control. One of the best forms of control is two build fences around the property, gardens, crops, or fields that you want to protect. Fine wire meshing will provide control, but it has to be at least 48 inches tall and buried at least 10 inches below the ground, to prevent the rabbits from digging underneath. Trees can be protected by wrapping around wire meshing around the trunks, make sure to bury these fences 3 inches below the ground around the trunks.

Key Takeaways

• Rabbits carry a number of diseases, if using a Havart Live Trap call animal control once the rabbit is caught, and be careful not to make contact with the animal.
• Modifications to your property like adding fences, and following the preventative measures, will bring lasting control.
• And finally, read all product labels and follow the application instructions on these labels, and stay safe by wearing personal protective equipment (PPE).