If you possess a lush, beautiful garden, you are likely to have a few unwanted visitors.  You know the type - they sneak in when you’re not around and begin chomping on the most delectable greenery and edibles they can find.  Depending on where you live, some of those unwanted visitors may be rabbits.  Even in the city you can find a substantial rabbit population and this may present a big problem for gardeners.  You probably don’t mind sharing a small portion of your harvest with these cute, furry creatures.  But when rabbits start to think of your backyard as their very own 24-hour grocery store, you may feel the need to take action.  Here are some proven tips for keeping rabbits out of your garden.

Rabbits are small prey animals that are vulnerable to many predators.  As a result, they like staying close to bushes and ground cover and they don’t like to cross large open areas.  If you have a large property, try to situate garden beds away from convenient hiding places to deter rabbits from approaching.  It’s also not a bad idea to place old shoes or boots in strategic locations.  The scent will cause the rabbits to think that potentially dangerous humans are around.

If your lawn is being chewed on by rabbits, you can apply blood meal to the entire area.  This substance smells very objectionable to the creatures and will keep them away.  It should be reapplied after a rainfall to keep the smell strong.  Another way to use blood meal as a deterrent is to put it into cheesecloth bags and hang the bags in trees or on stakes around the garden.  Be warned that if you have dogs, using blood meal for rabbit control is not a good option.  Dogs love the stuff and will probably try to eat it.

A young tree sapling may look tasty to hungry rabbits.  Try wrapping the trunk in foil to protect it from aggressive nibbling.

Chicken wire fencing may not be attractive, but it’s certainly effective at keeping rabbits out.  Make sure that you bury at least six inches of the fence underground.  This will hold the fence more securely and prevent rabbits and other small mammals from burrowing under it.

The smell of garlic repels many types of wildlife, including those annoying rabbits.  You can easily use this fact to your advantage.  Simply purchase a bottle of garlic supplement tablets and drop them in the garden, especially around plants that seem to be favorite snacks of your rabbit visitors.  Another method is to soak thick wads of cotton in garlic oil or garlic extract and then place the cotton around the garden or hang it from trees.  The odor will disgust the animals and encourage them to dine elsewhere.

These are just some of the ways to keep rabbits and other wildlife away from your garden.  Methods like these are not harmful to the animals or the environment, which is an important factor.  Rabbits are sneaky creatures and their big appetites can soon take a toll on plants and vegetables.  They also have a tendency to bring along friends and start raising families.  If you think rabbits are scavenging in your yard, it’s best to discourage them quickly before they make themselves too much at home.