About Target and Damage Control Links
About Rabbits
Various species of rabbits will invade gardens around the country throughout the year. Both hares (jackrabbits) and true rabbits (cottontails, brush rabbits, etc.) will forage for garden delights at different times of the year. True rabbits will give birth to blind young and will often dig shallow burrows or occupy burrows dug by other animals. If you suspect rabbits are a problem in your garden you may discover burrows in or near the garden. Hares live above ground and will therefore be more difficult to discover.
Pest Target and Damage
Rabbits prefer tender young growth and will most often eat plants down to the quick.
Succulent leaves, flowers and shoots are nibbled and younger plants will often be completely devastated. Young trees and shrubs may experience girdling from the animals stripping the plants of the bark.
Control
Controlling rabbits involves the use of repellents, barriers or traps.
The best mechanism for avoiding rabbit damage is to keep them out of the garden in the first place with the use of fencing. Using 3/4 inch diameter wire mesh and burying the fencing at least a foot underground you can greatly reduce the instances of rabbits foraging in your garden. At the fence bottom be sure to turn it outwards from the garden. This will improve the chances of rabbits being unable to burrow underneath the fencing.
In colder climates where snow may be on the ground the fence heights should be two to three feet above the snow line. In other areas simply two to three feet tall will suffice. For protecting individual plants create wire mesh cylinders around the base of the plants and again buried roughly a foot down. Seedlings should be grown under row covers where rabbits are a problem. This will help protect them from being destroyed.
Because rabbits procreate so quickly traps are really not a very good option although as a last resort it may make the gardener feel they are at least doing something more. Rabbits are considered game animals in many states so if you intend to trap them consult with your local game warden or conservation department first.
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