Think of it this way. Secondly, I would have to say that rabbits hate the smell of sulfur. When picking a scent, make sure you choose one that will be a natural predator to the rabbits in your area. It takes a long while for eggs to putrify and although rabbits will pick up on the pong a lot sooner than we will, tossing rotten eggs around the lawn may have the neighbors talking. USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 9. Yes, red pepper flakes will keep rabbits away from your flowers and produce. Mint and peppermint essential oils are good choices , as are lemon balm and rosemary. One way that we can achieve this is by using the rabbits strong sense of smell against it.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'bunnyadvice_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_10',628,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-bunnyadvice_com-medrectangle-4-0'); If like us the thought of causing harm to a rabbit makes you feel uneasy, using certain natural aromas to keep them away from specific areas is an excellent tactic. Basically, as long as you install a fence that is taller than two feet, you should be good! It is very hardy and grows up to 4 feet tall. This is why its a good idea to grow garlic in gardens next to other crops that rabbits or other rodents tend to destroy. Some species or unique rabbits may hate them, but this is not a smell that makes the list of scents that all rabbits hate. Sign me up to receive pest tips and news! If you kill an adult, you may be leaving behind a whole litter of bunnies that will be without a mother. Contents show. Get the latest This Old House news, trusted tips, tricks, and DIY Smarts projects from our expertsstraight to your inbox. Rabbits are great pets to have, especially when you have children. Wax begonias tend to be a little more uncommon in gardens than geraniums or lavender. Have you ever caught your beloved rabbit suddenly thumping its feet, leaving you curious and bewildered? Now that we know what to do, your next question may be: why is this method so effective? This website primarily references personal learning experiences. Moshobane, Claude Moshobane et al. Some of them are dietary fiber, protein, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B6, B9 calcium, iron, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, zinc, manganese . Mainly, its due to the texture and again, the strong scent of the plant itself. F. Plants and mushrooms associated with animal poisoning incidents in South Africa. There are some rabbits who do not like the smell or find the taste too strong. This site is owned and operated by Darren Hayward. The plants that rabbits prefer to eat are grasses, roses, clovers, daisies, dandelions, kale, spinach, broccoli, beans, and lettuce. Many people think that there is no way to plant a garden without attracting deer. OK maybe not. Rabbits, if hungry enough, will disregard any offenses to their sense of smell and eat your plants, flowers, veggies and fruits anyway. However, many plants that are toxic to pets and humans are also toxic to rabbitsand they tend to avoid them. On the contrary, rabbits find coffee to be an overpowering smell that quickly makes them turn and run in the opposite direction. Simply spray a little on the areas you want to protect. A more flower-friendly option to spraying an artificial scent would be to plant a large crop of lavender next to your peonies. Image By: Obodai26 from Pixabay. Similarly, tabasco sauce also contains capsaicin and will also have the desired effect. Its healthy for the plants, but repels wild rabbits. Alternatively, you may like to try some of the ideas weve talked about here. Here is a link to an article that goes into greater detail about why a rabbit's ears might hot or cold to the touch. Evaluation of eight repellents in deterring eastern cottontail herbivory in Connecticut. Better yet, once the gardening season is over, you can harvest the chives and use them in your cooking, so once again, its a win-win for you. Yes, garlic is very effective at keeping rabbits away. Reapply this every evening, right before rabbits eat, usually at dusk. Essential oils can be pleasing for some as it is said to have relaxing properties, but others may hate them and be repulsed by these strong odors. Rabbits can and do recognize their owners. You can give lavender to your rabbit fresh or even dried, allowing your rabbit to forage for the yummy pieces of lavender. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); I'm Zack DeAngelis, the creator of Pest Pointers. 12 Ways To Get Crows To Shut Up And Stop Cawing, 3 Unique Ways That Raccoons Can Damage Your Trees, Why Bats Will Leave On Their Own (And What To Do If They Dont), 8 Signs Of A Skunk Den (And How to Find Them), How To Identify And Naturally Remove Mealybugs In Your Soil. You can take advantage of this trait by using scents they dislike, such as garlic, vinegar, chili powder, predator urine, sulfur, blood meal, chives, lavender, geraniums, and wax begonias. Top 7 Smells Cats Hate: 1. Theyll keep rabbits away without hurting them or your plants. Rosemary is one of the safest herbs that we can feed rabbits. Not just for vampires, garlic also has a strong smell that rabbits find unpleasant. However, do note that the scent of begonias is more likely to be pungent on sunny days, so you may not get as strong of rabbit repelling scent on those cloudy, overcast days. Aside from aiding in indigestion, it can also reduce stress. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Try interplanting planting highly fragrant herbs and flowers, plants with prickly, hairy leaves, and toxic plants with your vegetables and ornamentals to help confuse and repel rabbits. So you could create a border using these plants to surround your other more susceptible crops to help deter rabbits and keep them out. The Spruce /Micah Issitt and Adrienne Legault. Make sure whatever scent you are applying is a strong odor, and if you are using a spray bottle, make sure you are spraying the soil around the plants, not the air! If this happens, fill a spray bottle with lemon and vinegar and spray it on the metal to deter them from licking/chewing this area. So, it would be best to use this scent if you live above the Mason-Dixon line, in the mountains, or in a place that routinely gets cold. This makes it not only effective as a rabbit repellent but also a plant fertilizer. . Journal of Chemical Ecology, 11(7), 903-919. In Vegetables. It may take a little while to convince the rabbits to look elsewhere for their dinner. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Back to repelling rabbits from your garden! Your email address will not be published. Some people are fine setting traps because they enjoy a good rabbit stew. It should be no surprise that plants with a strong fragrance or fuzzy leaves like lavender and black-eyed Susan are less popular with rabbits. Julie Thompson-Adolf is a Master Gardener and author. But if you still want to include these plants, there are also a few other tricks for making rabbits disappear from your garden. 10 Scents That Rabbits Hate (and How to Use Them) She's also an author of three gardening books, a plant photographer, public speaker, and a former Cornell Cooperative Extension Horticulture Educator. It should be no surprise that plants with a strong fragrance or fuzzy leaves like lavender and black-eyed Susan are less popular with rabbits. Due to their heightened sense of smell, predator urine such as fox or coyote is also an effective rabbit repellant. Using a fence or fake snakes might be better options. My only concern would be how strong incense can be as it not only releases an intense smell but also smoke into the air. I've since adopted another 6 which I guess makes me a crazy bunny dad! In essence: if you live in the United States, bobcat urine an excellent way to keep rabbits away! It will also help to keep their fur coat looking lustrous and silky. Its high in nitrogen. Valerian Root. You should definitely use scents to deter rabbits, but there are other things that you can do to your property that will help deter rabbits and other pesky critters in the long run. However, if you find that using scents to repel rabbits isnt for you, for whatever reason, be sure to utilize one of our other options! Rabbits dont like the smell of peppermint, but they will eat the plant, especially if the peppermint isnt very strong. Remove from heat and allow it to cool to room temperature. How Do Rabbits React to Smells They Hate? Rabbits dine out all year. You're not alone! The information on our site represents the webs best answers combined with over 10 years of real-world rabbit ownership. Can rabbits eat lemongrass? - Cute Rabbit Pets Citrus Scents. Vinegar is an effectivemethod for ridding rabbits from your yard and garden. Rabbits have a strong sense of smell, which they use to find accessible food sources. Rabbit olfactory deterrents are not always reliable. This is specially designed to block rabbits from your land and is difficult for them to circumvent, particularly when installed by a professional. Garlics sharp, pungent aroma may smell great to you when its being cooked in your favorite pasta sauce, but for rabbits, its a major turn-off. If youve been looking for an excuse to get a dog, heres one! Many farmers also swear by soaking corncobs in vinegar and placing them near the targeted areas, as the corncobs will make the scent last a bit longer. If you soak a cotton ball with vinegar and place it in areas that you do not wish your rabbit to explore, they will stay away. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Garlic powder can be sprinkled, or fresh cloves can be crushed and scattered around areas where rabbits are being a pest. Plant a crop of these near your rabbit-friendly plants, and it will help keep them at bay. They have an ability to recognize the smells of many of their enemies and will stay away from areas where these odors are strong given that the predator that left them may be close by. 89 of 132 people found this answer helpful. 7, no. Strain out the oil, put it in a spray bottle, and top it off with warm water. Herbs That Rabbits Can And Can't Eat - SmallPetJournal These ingredients are useful to know especially for us rabbit lovers who choose to deter rather than kill. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. It may be cute to watch a little bunny hop and frolic through your garden. Will A Mom Rabbit Come Back For Her Babies? August 7, 2022. It has an NPK ratio of 12-0-0, meaning there are large amounts of nitrogen without phosphorus or potassium. Rabbits serve a delicate purpose in the natural order of things. Vinegar is an excellent repellent that rabbits hate the smell of. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Their strategic placement can be surprisingly effective atdeterting, https://www.rabbitcaretips.com/rabbits-sense-of-smell/, https://gardenerdy.com/homemade-rabbit-repellent/, https://petspruce.com/vinegar-keep-rabbits-away/, http://www.planitdiy.com/inspiration/in-lawn-garden/use-red-pepper-flakes-to-ward-off-unwanted-pests/, http://livedan330.com/2015/02/11/keep-rabbits-out-of-garden-using-essential-oils/, https://www.gardenguides.com/blood-meal-rabbit-repellent-7608.html, https://homeguides.sfgate.com/stop-turtle-eating-tomatoes-garden-46078.html, https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/animals/using-predator-urine-in-gardens.htm, https://www.farmersalmanac.com/tips-for-keeping-rabbits-out-of-garden-21167, Protecting Your Garden From Wildlife - Modern Homesteading Podcast, How To Protect Growing Pumpkins From Animals (11 Ways), HowToKeep Deer OutOfYour GardenWithFishing Line, Do Bird Feeders Attract Mice (& How To Stop Them), 16 Foods That Attract Mice (And How To Use Them), Peanut Butter Mouse Trap Not Working (9 Solutions). How Long After A Rabbit Gives Birth Can You Touch The Babies? We will always advocate the use of natural products to deter rabbits and any other type of wildlife. Vanilla is used sometimes as a soothing scent to rub on rabbits who are spooked or uncomfortable. Do Rabbits Eat Lantana? (Read This First!) - OneHappyLemon Lynxes are also native to North America but are typically found in the northern parts of the continent. They shift their noses up and down to identify a scent, aided by the splitin their top lip. Sage is safe for a rabbit to eat, but many rabbits do not like the strong taste or smell given off by sage. Use of predator odors as repellents to reduce feeding damage by herbivores. Many owners mistakenly believe that this essential oil is good for getting rid of fleas or fungus on rabbits. Wolves are typically found in similar places as lynxes: cold, mountainous, or in a more northern area, particularly the Northwest parts of the United States or Canada. Henke, S. E. (1995, April). But more than that, coffee is something of an all-round animal repellent since it is also known to be able to keep certain insects and gastropods, like slugs and snails away from your precious veggie patch. So firstly, what are these common smells that rabbits hate? Continue with Recommended Cookies. Garlic has a sharp and pungent smell that many animals do not like. A rabbit can express many different ways to show you that they hate a certain smell. If you dont like the thought of having to mix this yourself, take a peek at the Safer Brand Critter Ridder: Deer and Rabbit Repellent. Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form. Rabbits despise the smell of coffee grounds. Dust. But,inform yourself before doing this because it might not be the best idea. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Rabbits are cute little critters, but not when they eat and nip at the garden youve. Peppermint, Pine, Sweet Birch, Tea Tree, Wintergreen. As we previously mentioned, rabbits have a powerful sense of smell and are wary of other animals urine. They have 100 million scent cells with a nasal membrane sensitive to chemicals, dust, and perfumes. You can make spray oil by heating up 1/3 cup oil with cup chili flakes to around 300F. Because of their especially sensitive respiratory tracts, birds are at particular risk when using essential oil diffusers. Since rabbits are known not only for their noses but also their wild hopping skills, installing a fence may seem like a futile effort. Required fields are marked *. The scent irritates the sensitive sinus of rabbits quite quickly. BunnyAdvice.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. A rabbit who is repelled by this type of odor cannot really display outward emotions or would choose not to. using things like chicken wire or mesh around. Generally, the following oils are considered safe for rabbits: lavender, lemon, orange, fennel, peppermint, eucalyptus. You could get creative and resourceful with this. While her keen nose keeps your pet safe, it's also extremely sensitive. Use vinegar instead. The simplest way to make your garden less appetizing for these little critters is to avoid the varieties that they love the most. Read our. Dr. Elly Cameron is a veterinarian who has always loved animals. Valerian root is part of an herb that is commonly used in humans for sleep disorders and anxiety. Lemon Balm is a useful herb that can be added to your rabbits' diet every few days. You can tell when rabbits, not deer, have been chewing on your plants because rabbits make clean, 45-degree cuts in young stems and can reach only approximately 3 feet high. Bobcats are native to North America and can appear anywhere from Northern Canada down to Florida. Still, it will be markedly less attractive when theyve eaten a few of the plants youve been working hard at maintaining all season. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. - Health Risks and Issues; Dr Elly. Since dogs are not natural predators of rabbits, the urine alone will not have the same effect as the lynx or coyote urine we discussed earlier. uhave tomonitor each method with a close eye to see if itsactually workingagainst rabbit invasions. Licking can be so instinctual that they're immediately drawn to lick the second they smell your scent! The smell is atrocious to them, and they will avoid it. Rabbits are herbivores and tend to eat all parts of a plantfrom the roots and the stems to soft, tender leaves and flowerspreferring new growth over old. It may be better to use something else from the same family that has more pungency, like lavender. Keep the area as peaceful as possible. Trapping them may create more problems than it solves. When a rabbit drinks apple cider vinegar, it will make them smell unappealing to. Incase you arent sold on begonias, geranium or lavender plants, here are a few other plants that rabbits dont enjoy the smell or taste of: All of the above are plants that rabbits typically choose not to eat in the wild. When Im not out roaming around 50+ acres of pastures, woods, and a freshwater bass pond, Im at my computer writing on Pest Pointers. University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. If your yard is filled with low-to-the-ground shrubs, sprawling moss or clover, or other low-hanging, creeping plants, this makes it prime rabbit territory. Capsaicin is the compound that gives chilis their hot flavor and acts as an irritant to both animals and also humans in the form of pepper sprays.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'bunnyadvice_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_4',632,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-bunnyadvice_com-large-leaderboard-2-0'); Chili powder can be purchased wholesale and can be sprinkled around gardens plants and vegetable beds a couple of times a week to ensure it is at its most effective. Rabbits noses are extremely sensitive, mainly why you frequently see rabbits constantly twitching their little sniffers in the air. Rabbit Resistant Herbs - Advice From The Herb Lady While the amount of cyanide contained in fruit seeds and pits is generally scant, it is best to avoid feeding them to rabbits altogether. What Scents Are Toxic To Rabbits? - Stellina Marfa You can use both blood and bone meal if it will be beneficial to your plants. They will devour tender shoots in spring and gnaw through bark in the winter. Lavender is among the plants that are completely safe for rabbits to eat. This thermoregulation capacity of rabbits does not produce any scent. How Good is a Rabbit's Sense of Smell? Rabbit Care Tips Is green grass good for rabbits? Its so accurate; they can smell food deep underground. Pet Rabbit Smell? The truth about rabbit odor. Consider adding plants with a strong scenta rabbits sense of smell is much stronger than a humans. You havea number ofoptions for using garlic as a rabbit repellant. Citrus fruits such as oranges or lemons and grapefruits do not necessarily repel all rabbits. Rabbits the feeling of fear. If using corn cobs, periodically re-soak them in vinegar because the smell will fade over time. My impression of a rabbit is one where I make a sniffing face with my nose scrunched upwards. Even if you are having significant problems with wild rabbits, as rabbit lovers the last thing that we want you to do would be to injure or poison a defenseless bunny. Hopefully, your flowers and plants will be rabbit proof after utilizing one or a few of the above suggestions. What Smells Do Rabbits Hate? {Liked vs. Disliked Smells} Mint and peppermint essential oils are good choices, as are lemon balm and rosemary. Soak a couple of used corn cobs, paper towels, or cotton balls in some vinegar and place them around the plants you want the rabbits to stay away from. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. It will be important to keep the smell ripe and fresh to the rabbits. If your rabbit chews the carpet, some rabbits will dislike the taste of bitter sprays for pets, hot pepper sauce or flakes, vinegar, or rubbed-in Ivory soap, but they can be a hit and miss. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Aside from barking, dogs will sniff, grumble, and make noise as they tromp through your yard. Rosemary contains essential nutrients that help the growth of rabbits. The plant that tops the list for rabbits who would like to go nowhere near has got to be wax begonias. Do Rabbits Eat Peppermint? - Stellina Marfa But garlic is toxic to rabbits and can make them very sick, so they wont often eat it. If you walked into a restaurant looking for a buffet meal, but the entire establishment smelled strongly of rotting eggs, you most likely wouldnt want to eat there, correct? Smells Rabbits Hate (That You Probably Own!) - Bunny Advice Smell. From birth, rabbits have a heightened sense of smell due in part to the way they smell nose blinking. These tend to be either aromatic, thorny, or members of the nightshade family: Rabbits. Sulfur mimicks the scent of rotten eggs (mentioned in the garlic section) which rabbits despise due to their sensitive noses. and other creatures will eventually avoid it. several methods, its still not guaranteed to work 100%. Rabbits like the flavor and the smell will be imperceptible. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Its going to depend on how bad the infestation is. Hey there, fellow rabbit enthusiasts! It may affect the esthetic look of your garden. and other similar details will be the first step in deterring them from your plants. Strong scents - if something smells overpowering to you, imagine how it must smell to your rabbit. Peppermint. Apples and pears are the most notorious examples, but the pits from apricots, peaches, plums, and mangos also contain cyanide, as do cherry pits. Vet Rec Open, vol. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. What Essential Oils Are Toxic To Rabbits? - Stellina Marfa Do Rabbits Smell? (Simple Tips to Keep Them Odorless) Just having the coffee grounds in your garden will repel rabbits. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Strain out the oil. . What smells do rabbits love, adore or enjoy? If you are interested in how to deter rabbits, there are ways to control them from overrunning your garden. They may take a bite, but they will experience the heat and wont like it.