Gardening
Related: About this forumRabbit problem, need advice for home made repellent
Two days ago I planted flowers and veggies. I treated the soil with cow manure after turning the soil.
Planted most veggies in my above ground garden(love it) and planted a ton of Zinnias around parts of the yard. Other veggies along another part of the yard.
I watered then then and did so again yesterday.
Problem this AM. I went to check how things looked and found a ton of the Zinnias pulled up. A neighbor told me it was our local bunny(s). Now what?
Anyone know what I can spread around the plants that will discourage the bunnies without killing the plants?
The garden center sells some kind of repellent but I'd rather not add anything like a commercial product. Googled but found conflicting advice. I just need something I can make that will send these cute creatures to the clover in the yard and not my plants.
I'm in Mass(zone 6) if that makes any difference.
Would love advice ASAP.
Easterncedar
(3,399 posts)The testosterone is said to make it more repellent. Then I sprinkled it on and around the plants. It worked beautifully, and I think was mostly good for the plants.
This year Im using pepper granules (Critter Ridder) and a rotten egg spray ( commercially available), which so far have kept the woodchucks and the deer off, after theyd eaten half my tulips and lilies and the deer had trimmed my yew most unbecomingly. The remaining tulips are doing very well and the yew is holding on.
underpants
(186,385 posts)It supposedly works.
Run some string (like kite string) 5-6 inches off the ground around planting beds. Cool some bacon and rub it along the string so the juices are soaked up. Supposedly rabbit dont like the smell of bacon (and pee).
Bonus is you have bacon 🥓!!!
Bayard
(24,145 posts)Spread used cat litter around your garden. Predator vs prey.
steventh
(2,156 posts)If you decide to go the commercial route I recommend it, as it has worked well for me. Walmart and Lowe's carry it (are we still boycotting Home Depot?). A little goes a long way. Last year my resident bunny ate all my dozens of hostas to the ground. None was spared. By miracle they all came back this year. I sprayed them once. It has rained several times and I haven't re-sprayed. At the first sign of rabbit munch I will re-spray.
In case you want to have a go at making your own inspired by Liquid Fence, its ingredients are a combination of natural and chemical items. First ingredient: putrescent egg solids. It does stink a bit at first but the smell goes away while remaining effective. Next ingredient is garlic. Then sodium laurel sulfate.
According to webmd.com, "Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is a surfactant, which basically means it has an effect on the surfaces it touches. Its used in a variety of products such as food thickeners, toothpaste...."
https://www.webmd.com/beauty/what-to-know-sls
Next thyme oil. Then some preservatives, including citric acid, xanthum gum, a food stabilizer in salad dressings, also in toothpaste, so says healthline web site.
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/xanthan-gum#TOC_TITLE_HDR_3
multigraincracker
(33,957 posts)Worked great. I guess theyre batteries for them. I see a rabbit late at night under my bird feeder.
Timeflyer
(2,603 posts)orthoclad
(4,728 posts)I seeded my lawn heavily with white clover, which they like. Distracts them from the garden. And you don't have to mow it much. Seems to work, although I lost carrot tops during the winter.
edit: I also plant garlic bulbils and bunching onion seed through the garden for insect repellent - might help with rabbits.
hlthe2b
(106,061 posts)But i am exceedingly protective of my wild rabbits so I sincerely hope no one suggests ANYTHING harmful.
Response to hlthe2b (Reply #8)
CrispyQ This message was self-deleted by its author.
Emile
(29,242 posts)Kali
(55,703 posts)mice can still get through. for them you need hardware cloth.
Donkees
(32,367 posts)I keep the mix in a jar to allow the 'grains' to settle to the bottom, then pour off the liquid into a spray container. A sludgier mix just clogs the sprayer. So far, it's been working well, but I apply it every few days. The rabbits are eating everything this year : (