Rabbits are cute animals that most of us would want as pets. But, what would you be if rabbits are destroying your garden or damaging your well-kept yard?

There are some cases where getting rid of rabbits is better than keeping them around.

Don’t worry; everything you need is in this post. In this article, I will go over the 7 different humane ways to get rid of rabbits from your yard.

Let’s get started.

1. Build a Fence

One of the most effective ways to get rid of rabbits is to build a fence. Although it sounds basic, it’s highly effective.

You must install the right type of fence when installing your fence. This should be a fence that rabbits can fit through or under.

Chain link fences and wooded panel fences are great options for keeping rabbits out of our yard. Picket fences and copper metal fences are not effective at keeping rabbits out of your yard.

To reinforce your fences and make them useful against rabbits, you need to install wire mesh at the bottom.

I recommend a copper mesh that is at least four feet tall. This will ensure that the rabbits can’t jump over it easily.

2. Motion Activated Sprinklers

Another effective way of keeping rabbits out of your home is using motion-activated sprinklers.

You can position these sprinklers strategically around your yard or protect your garden.

Anytime one of the sprinklers senses motion, it will spray water to scare away the rabbits.

The great thing with these is that you can position them where they want, and you can easily connect multiple sprinklers to make sure you cover all angles of your yard.

Setting up motion-activated sprinklers can get expensive if you need multiple sprinklers. To save some money, you can opt for a DIY motion-activated sprinkler. These sprinklers can only cost around $15 per sprinkler versus $40.

3. Use Traps and Relocate

Using live traps is one of the greatest methods that you can use to capture rabbits. Traps are perfect if you don’t have a fence.

I recommend that you place multiple traps around your home. You also want to use bait to attract the rabbits inside your yard.

Some of the best rabbit baits you can use are:

Brussel Sprouts
Carrots
Lettuce
Apples
Other vegetables

To make these traps as effective as possible, you want to eliminate other potential food sources from your yard.

This will make your trap more effective than anything else in your yard.

4. Add Protection Around Gardens

You don’t always have to place a fence around your entire yard. You can create a fence around the areas that you want to protect.

For most people, this is their flower and food gardens. To-Do this, you can plant your garden inside protected boxes.

You can also build fences around gardens to protect them from rabbits. These fences should be at least 4 feet tall to prevent rabbits from jumping over and attacking your garden.

This is a great way to give rabbits the freedom to roam around your home but also protect your gardens from any damage.

5. Eliminate Hiding Spots

Rabbits will invade your home if there are places they can hide. The best way to keep them out is to eliminate any potential hidings spots.

Rabbits like to hide in:

Furry patches of grass
Under bushes
Inside small burrows
Near trees
Under fallen trees or branches
Inside tall grass
Inside small holes or dents in the soil

The best way to minimize hiding spots is to keep your yard well maintained.

There are a few things you can do to eliminate potential rabbit hiding spots:

Cut your grass regularly
Pick up fallen debris
Trim bushes and trees
Cover entry points under porches and crawlspaces

6. Keep Your Dog In Your Yard

Another great way to keep rabbits out of your yard is to keep your dog outdoors. If you keep your dog outdoors, rabbits are less likely to build a nest.

Most dogs will scare off rabbits as soon as they get near your yard. Since dogs and rabbits are typically active around the same time, this is perfect.

They won’t be able to sneak into your yard and damage your garden. These in particularly more effective if your dog remains outside at night as well.

This will prevent them from trying to enter your home or build a nest to hide in and sleep during the night.

7. Use Scarecrows

Another effective way to get rid of rabbits is to use scarecrows around your home. You can use owls, foxes, and even hawk status to scare away rabbits.

There are now scarecrows that are motion-activated. If a rabbit comes within 10-15 feet of the scarecrow, it will trigger a noise that will scare the rabbit away.

When using these, I recommend that you move the position of your scarecrow every few months. This will prevent the rabbits from becoming accustomed to the position.

You can also try swapping the scarecrow out for a different model every few months so that they don’t get accustomed to the scarecrow’s look.

8. Use Repellents

Repellents are a great way to get rid of rabbits.

These are especially effective if the is only rabbit visiting your home to feed or get water.

You can apply repellent to the areas that you want the rabbit to avoid.

This will drive rabbits to other areas for food and water.

There are two types of repellents chemical and natural repellents.

chemical Repellents

Chemical repellents are effective, but they can be dangerous to other animals and even your plants.

They also tend to be much more expensive than natural repellents.

Natural Repellents

Natural repellents are a less expensive alternative to chemical repellents.

These repellents are ideal because they are typically safe for other animals and plants around your yard.

They are also less expensive and easier to find than chemical repellents.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What Do Rabbits Eat?

Rabbits feed on any type of vegetation they can find. This includes

Grass
Flowers
Weeds
Vegetable or fruit plants
Crops

Where Do Rabbits Hide?

Rabbits will hide anywhere they can find some subtle cover. This includes :

Furry patches of grass
Under bushes
Inside small burrows
Near trees
Under fallen trees or branches
Inside tall grass
Inside small holes or dents in the soil

What Are Signs That I have Rabbits?

Rabbits don’t leave many signs that they are present in your yard. To determine if you have rabbits in your yard look for

Live rabbits
Rabbit feces
Rabbit burrows or hiding spots
Damage to plants, grass, trees, or gardens

Are Rabbits Dangerous?

No, rabbits are generally not dangerous. They are considered docile creatures.

Rabbits are often kept as pets for this reason. They are friendly animals that don’t bite or pose any serious dangers to humans, especially children.

Do Rabbits Carry Diseases?

Yes, rabbits can carry diseases. The primary diseases that rabbits can carry are hantavirus, leptospirosis, lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCMV), Tularemia, and Salmonella.

These diseases are not commonly passed from rabbits to humans. The chances of getting these diseases is higher naturally than from a rabbit who has it.

Typically, rabbits are considered safe pets or animals to come in contact with due to the likelihood that they actually transmit disease.

Can i keep A Wild Rabbit As A Pet?

In most states, it’s illegal to tame wild animals and keep them as pets. This includes rabbits and other small animals.

It’s also advised that you don’t remove baby rabbits from their nest. Removing rabbits from their nest can have severe psychological and health effects on both the babies and the mother.

If you do want a pet rabbit you can typically purchase them at local pet stores. These rabbits are bred and trained to become pets which makes them more stable and safe for your home.

Why Would I want To Keep Rabbits Away?

Most people will allow rabbits to enter their yard because they don’t cause many disruptions other than that they hop around your yard.

But there are some instances where you might want to get rid of rabbits

The most common reason that people remove rabbits is that they are damaging your garden, plants, trees, or yards.

Rabbits will feed on any vegetation they can find. This typically means they can destroy gardens and yards very quickly if they are not controlled.

The other main reason that you might want to get rid of rabbits is that they can attract natural predators.

Rabbits have many natural predators. If they are beginning to create a large population around your house, it’s inevitable that predators will come.

Some common and dangerous rabbit predators include:

Cayotes
Foxes
Snakes
Wild dogs
Birds such as eagles, hawks, and owls

Is it Legal To Kill Rabbits?

Yes, It’s legal to kill rabbits if they continue to come on your yard and damage your property. I don’t recommend this option because taking steps to get rid of them or prevent them is relatively easy.

The best option for killing rabbits is using a firearm. Other methods are effective but they pose greater threats to the animals in the areas.

You can also use kill or snap traps. These traps are not always effective and leave you with a dead rabbit in your yard until you clean it up.

How To Get Rid of Rabbits in The Winter?

The same concepts apply whether you are trying to get rid of rabbits in the summer or winter.

The biggest difference in winter is that rabbits might be looking for warmer shelter.

You want to make sure that you’ve eliminated all hiding spots. Inspect every month to determine if there are potentially new hiding spots due to the change of season.

Sometimes holes or patches of grass can arise that were not present before.

The best ways to get rid of rabbits regardless of season include:

Build a Fence
Motion Activated Sprinklers
Add Protection Around Gardens
Eliminate Hiding Spots
Keep Your Dog In Your Yard
Use Scarecrows
Use Repellents

How To Get Rid of Rabbits during Summer?

The same methods can be used when getting rid of rabbits during summer or winter.

During the summer you can place a heavier emphasis on eliminating potential water sources.

The heat can make it harder for rabbits to find water. As a result, they will be more attracted to areas that provide a consistent source of water.

Properly eliminating any potential water sources for rabbits will ensure that there are not rabbits around your home during summer.