Despite their reputation as cute, loveable animals, rabbits can quickly become a nuisance when they overrun your yards or garden. They are particularly prevalent in the late summer when their numbers seem to explode. It may feel like they’re everywhere, but Varment Guard is here to help. Let’s look at the causes of rabbit infestations, what attracts rabbits to your yard, and how to keep them out.
What are Signs of Rabbits in Your Yard?
Rabbits eat your garden, poop all over the place, and sometimes attract predators. Rabbit damage looks similar to deer or other animal damage and is harmful to various plants. The problem is that when rabbits find a reliable food source, they’ll often stay near it. Most hide during the day and eat in the morning and evening. Some rabbits may even get comfortable enough to nest on your property. The most common rabbit species in the U.S. is the cottontail. These and most rabbit species create a small, bowl-like nest called a “form.” They often hide their forms in plain sight, building them into tall grass or near fencing. They line their forms with grass, leaves, or fur and use them to raise their offspring.
Contrary to popular belief, most rabbits in the United States don’t dig burrows. They will inhabit burrows created by other animals or build burrow-like forms beneath existing cover such as under decks or porches. If you think you have rabbit holes in your yard, they’re likely created by another pest.
Why Do Rabbit Populations Grow Quickly?
Rabbits are famous (or infamous) for their impressive reproductive capabilities. Their breeding season begins in mid-February and continues all the way until late summer. That means that for six months, rabbits primarily eat and reproduce.
Female rabbits, or “does,” have a short 30-day gestation period and can have several litters of four to eight kits throughout the spring and summer. Baby rabbits grow to full maturity quickly and are able to mate in as soon as 12 weeks.
No doubt you can see how, by August, rabbit populations get out of hand. Babies grow up and have multiple babies, those babies grow up and have more babies, and so on. This is particularly likely if rabbits have decided to breed in and around your neighborhood. Common species of rabbit actually prefer breeding near human-populated areas. Our grass is easy to eat and convenient, and our activity and fences keep predators away.
What Attracts Rabbits?
We know it can feel like it, but backyard rabbits probably aren’t targeting your home specifically. In fact, if you talked to your neighbors, you’d probably hear the same complaints from them. There are simply that many rabbits around. That being said, certain elements of a yard do tend to bring rabbits around.
Most obviously, rabbits love an uncovered vegetable garden. If they can get at the ground vegetables you’ve planted, they definitely will. Additionally, rabbits are attracted to a variety of ornamental plants, flowers, bushes, and leafy greens–especially tender seedlings. Basically, if your plants are accessible, a rabbit is coming after them.
Rabbits also love yards where they can easily come and go, but predators can’t. Fences they can sneak under or squeeze between make them feel safe and can lead to nesting in your yard. They also love to get under sheltered areas such as porches and decks.
Where Do Rabbits Nest?
The ideal rabbit nesting spots are areas near bushes or trees and under (or near) covered porches and sheds. However, it’s not uncommon for rabbits to build nests in open spaces in your yard as well, especially if there is tall grass. Other areas to search include along fences, in window wells, and between garages.
Do Wild Rabbits Nest in the Same Place?
If you’ve noticed an influx of rabbits nesting and hopping around your property, you’re probably wondering how long they’ll continue to stay in the same nesting spot. Mother rabbits cannot move their babies and will remain in the same nest until the kits are mature enough to move on their own.
Some rabbits will continue to reuse a nesting spot if the conditions are favorable, whereas others will choose to rebuild a new nest with each litter. Several factors that may encourage rabbits to keep nesting in your yard include:
- The length of your grass
- The availability of food
- Proximity of predators
How Do I Keep a Nest of Rabbits out of My Yard?
To keep rabbit nests out of your yard, you need to make it less appealing for them. Here’s how:
- Keep your grass cut short. Short grass is harder for them to hide in.
- Let your pets outside. Rabbits see pets like dogs and cats as predators.
- Install fencing. Rabbit-proof your flower or vegetable garden and they’ll search elsewhere for their next meal.
- Tidy your yard. Clean up fallen fruit, bird seed, and other attractive food sources.
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Use props. If you’re still having trouble with rabbits in your yard, try incorporating ornamental elements that may spook them.
- Colorful pinwheels that spin when the wind blows
- Lawn gnomes
- Wind socks
- Motion sensing sprinklers
All of these items will put a rabbit on high alert and make it less likely for them to hunker down in your yard.
How Do I Build a Rabbit-Proof Fence?
Construct a chicken wire fence around all your garden and ornamental plants–even the big bushes. Use supports that are at least ½ to 1 inch thick and two feet high. Make sure your fence also extends at least ½ an inch underground. If a chicken wire fence isn’t feasible, consider individual fencing or netting for every plant or sectional garden fencing that is at least two feet high.
Unfortunately, rabbits are quite good at digging under fences to get inside. If your yard is protected by a perimeter fence, try to find out where the rabbits are getting in. You can prevent their digging by installing ½” underground fencing around or beneath your perimeter fence. You can block access to rabbit-accessible areas like your porch the same way.
Expert Rabbit Pest Control Services
Keeping rabbits away from your garden can feel like trying to stop the sun from setting. No matter how many rabbits have made your yard their home, however, we promise removing them is not impossible. For dedicated assistance combating your rabbit problem, contact Varment Guard. Our wildlife control technicians can use a combination of live trapping and rabbit repellents to prevent rabbits from becoming a constant issue around your home.
