To get rid of rabbits permanently, you need to remove food sources, seal off hiding spots, and install rabbit-proof barriers like buried fencing. Combining these steps with habitat modification and, if needed, professional exclusion ensures they won’t come back.
Rabbits might look harmless, but once they’ve found your yard, they can turn it into a buffet line overnight. From shredded vegetable gardens to chewed shrubs and dug-up lawns, their damage adds up fast—and if you don’t act quickly, one rabbit can turn into a whole colony before you know it.
What Attracts Rabbits to Your Yard?
Rabbits are drawn to areas that provide easy food, safe shelter, and minimal disturbance. Your vegetable garden, flower beds, or even grass clippings can be irresistible snacks. If you’ve got dense shrubs, tall grass, or brush piles nearby, you’re also offering them perfect places to hide and nest.
They’re especially likely to settle in if your yard borders wooded areas or open fields. Pet food left outdoors or compost piles with fruit and veggie scraps can add to the appeal. Identifying and removing these attractants is the first step toward making your yard less inviting for rabbits long-term.
How Do You Know Rabbits Are the Problem?
If you notice cleanly clipped stems, gnawed bark near the base of shrubs, or small round droppings scattered through your garden, you’re likely dealing with rabbits. Their damage is often neat and low to the ground, unlike the messier chewing habits of other pests like deer or groundhogs.
You might also spot shallow burrows or scraped-out patches near decks, sheds, or dense plant cover. Look for tracks—two larger hind feet and two smaller front prints—in soft soil or snow. Confirming it’s rabbits is key, because the wrong solution won’t stop the right pest.
Do Rabbit Repellents Work Long-Term?
Scent and taste-based rabbit repellents, like garlic spray, hot pepper solutions, or commercial blends, can discourage rabbits in the short term. They work by making plants less appealing or triggering an avoidance response when the rabbit catches the scent.
However, most repellents need to be reapplied frequently—especially after rain, irrigation, or intense sun. Over time, rabbits may also become accustomed to the smell if no real threat follows. That’s why repellents are best used as part of a layered approach, not as your only defense.
What Plants or Landscaping Choices Deter Rabbits?
Certain plants naturally repel rabbits due to their strong scents or bitter taste. Options like lavender, rosemary, marigolds, catmint, and snapdragons are generally avoided by rabbits and can be used to create protective borders around more vulnerable areas like vegetable gardens.
Beyond plant selection, your landscaping layout can also make a difference. Raised garden beds, gravel paths, and the removal of low-hanging shrubs reduce shelter and make it harder for rabbits to feel safe. Over time, a yard designed to feel open and exposed will encourage them to move on to more rabbit-friendly environments.
Can You Use Fencing to Keep Rabbits Out?
Yes, fencing is one of the most reliable ways to keep rabbits out—if it’s done right. Use a wire mesh fence with openings no larger than 1 inch, and make sure it stands at least 2 to 3 feet tall. Rabbits aren’t strong jumpers like deer, but they are determined diggers.
That’s why the most important part is underground. Bury the fence 6 to 12 inches deep and bend the bottom outward in an L-shape to prevent burrowing. For added protection around garden beds, consider raised boxes or removable mesh covers. With the right setup, fencing creates a physical barrier rabbits can’t beat.
Is It Safe or Legal to Trap and Relocate Rabbits?
Trapping and relocating rabbits may sound humane, but it’s often more complicated than it seems. In many areas, it’s illegal to relocate wildlife without proper permits, and releasing rabbits into unfamiliar environments can cause stress, injury, or even death.
Live traps also come with risks. Rabbits are fragile animals that can injure themselves trying to escape, and if you don’t check the trap frequently, they can suffer from heat, dehydration, or predators. That’s why rabbit removal is best left to professionals who follow legal and ethical guidelines for humane handling.
What Are Humane Long-Term Strategies for Rabbit Control?
Permanent rabbit control requires more than one quick fix—it takes a layered approach. Start by eliminating food and shelter: clean up brush piles, close off gaps under sheds or decks, and secure gardens with fencing. Then add deterrents like rabbit-resistant plants and non-toxic repellents to reinforce the message that your yard is off-limits.
Consistent monitoring is key to making sure rabbits don’t return. Walk your property regularly to check for new digging spots, chewed plants, or droppings. When you combine exclusion, habitat modification, and maintenance, you create an environment that no rabbit wants to call home.
Why Professional Rabbit Removal Is the Most Effective Option
If rabbits keep coming back no matter what you try, it’s time to bring in a professional. Wildlife removal experts can assess your property, identify overlooked attractants or burrow sites, and develop a targeted plan using humane and legal methods that actually work.
Professionals also handle the dirty work—whether that’s sealing entry points, installing fencing, or safely removing rabbits from hard-to-reach spots. Their long-term prevention strategies go beyond surface-level fixes, giving you peace of mind that the problem won’t return with the next growing season.
Call AAAC Wildlife Removal for Lasting Rabbit Control
If rabbits have turned your yard into a snack bar, it’s time to bring in the experts. At AAAC Wildlife Removal, we specialize in safe, humane rabbit removal backed by proven exclusion techniques and local expertise. We don’t just treat the symptoms—we get to the root of the problem.
From inspecting burrows to installing rabbit-proof barriers and sealing off shelters, we’ll create a customized plan to keep your yard rabbit-free for good. Stop patching up chewed plants and dealing with droppings—give us a call today and let us help you reclaim your outdoor space permanently.
Conclusion
Rabbits may look harmless, but their presence can quickly spiral into widespread damage if you don’t act fast. One rabbit can lead to a nest, and that nest can turn into a yard full of grazers chewing through your garden and digging up your lawn.
The key to getting rid of rabbits permanently is using a combination of tactics—removing attractants, installing barriers, adjusting your landscaping, and staying consistent. When in doubt, calling a professional ensures the problem is handled correctly the first time, saving you time, money, and stress.
