November 10, 2023
My history with wildlife eating my flowers is a long one. I once watched a wild
turkey peck away at my johnny jump ups. Here in Dallas County, we are much
more likely to encounter bunnies. Those little bundles of fluff that look so cute on
a neighbor’s lawn may find your new pansies and their friends to be very
attractive. Unfortunately, they may not limit themselves to enjoying only with
their eyes and might proceed to dine on your new plants.
How to keep plants from being nibbled by rabbits is a challenge faced in most
gardens sooner or later. A quick tour of the internet reveals many techniques
that are reported to be successful for some gardeners but finding actual studies is
another matter entirely.
Regardless of the source of the data, there are two primary techniques for saving
your plants and they are like the ways we protect our skin from mosquitoes. We
either exclude or we repel the pest. Shooing them away just isn’t effective. Like
mosquitoes, most rabbits will return for a meal.
Fencing can be one of the most successful options. The addition of a chicken wire
or hardware cloth fence 2-3 feet tall and buried 6 inches underground can keep a
section of your garden off the menu. Wire cages can be constructed or purchased to protect your kales or chards. Planting in large, tall pots can keep your plant safer on your porch or patio.
Repellants can be purchased or made at home, and work via odor or taste. All will
require repeated applications, especially after rain. Odors that rabbits avoid are
associated with predators or spoiled, pungent foods. Blood meal is a commonly
used odor deterrent and has the advantage of containing nitrogen. One reported
downside is that it may attract other predators, leading to the trusty family dog to
roll over your pansies. On the plus side, the presence of a dog may scare away
rabbits.
Most rabbits dislike the taste of hot peppers, and capsaicin is included in many
commercial products. Please read and follow the directions, as some products are
not designed for or safe to use with edible plants. If you decide to surf the web for
a home-grown repellant, do not use moth balls in your yard. This dangerous
advice continues to haunt the internet. Regulated by the EPA, it is illegal, toxic,
and counterproductive to use mothballs as deterrent for mammals in your
garden. Using garlic spray or a sprinkle of red pepper might just work for you. It all
depends on the rabbit and just how hungry it might be.
Whether we are dealing with wildlife that nibbles us or our gardens, what works
for one person may not be appropriate for another. One deterrent I read about
mentioned encouraging the presence of predators. I doubt the addition of a
coyote here would be acceptable. I have found that my new fence seems to keep
all the bunnies in the front yard… or is it the feral cat that now enjoys the safety
of the back garden? Just like mosquitos, wildlife will find a way around our plans.
Mary Freede, Dallas County Master Gardener Class of 2005
Take a look at how Raincatcher’s deters critters-Comic Relief From Our Cantaloupe Patch
DALLAS GARDEN BUZZ 