How to Deter Rabbits and Keep Them Out of Your Garden
Wild rabbits may look cute with their fluffy tails, but they can be a real menace in the garden. These herbivores are notorious for munching on tender young shoots, leafy greens and prized vegetables—often leaving a trail of destruction in their wake.
Rabbits are drawn to gardens that offer easy access and abundant food sources, especially grasses, leafy weeds, and soft-stemmed plants. While they’re part of nature’s charm, they’re not always welcome guests. Let’s explore how to spot their presence and keep them at bay, safely and humanely.
Signs of Rabbit Activity in Your Garden
Spotting rabbits early can help prevent serious damage. Here are some telltale signs:
- Droppings: Look for small piles of round, black pellets scattered across your lawn or garden beds.
- Clean-cut plant damage: Rabbits leave neat, scissor-like cuts on stems and leaves - unlike deer, which leave jagged edges.
- Ring barking: A more severe sign is bark stripped in a ring around tree trunks. This disrupts water and nutrient flow and can eventually kill the tree if not addressed.
Humane Ways to Deter Rabbits
At Mesh Direct, we believe in protecting your garden without harming wildlife. Here are effective, rabbit-friendly strategies to safeguard your outdoor space:
Secure Your Garden with Rabbit-Proof Fencing
The most reliable way to keep rabbits out is to physically block their entry:
- Use Rabbit Netting with a 31mm hexagonal hole - ideal for keeping rabbits out.
- The industry standard for a standalone rabbit proof fence is a 1050mm roll width, but we also offer 1.2m wide rolls for extra coverage.
- For best results: Use 2mm or 2.5mm line wire at the top and bottom of the fencing for extra support to prevent sagging. Space fence posts approximately 2.5m apart.
- Bend the bottom 150mm of netting into an “L” shape pointing outside of your boundary, and bury this approximately 50mm into the ground. This creates a shelf barrier to deter rabbits from burrowing under your fence.
Need help with installation? Check out our How to attach wire mesh to posts guide for practical tips and tricks.
Grow Plants Rabbits Tend to Avoid
Rabbits have sensitive noses and picky palates. Incorporating certain plants into your garden can help repel them naturally:
- Herbs & flowers: Try planting marigolds, lavender, or garlic—these are known to deter rabbits.
- Natural fertilizers: Blood meal and bone meal not only enrich your soil but also act as mild repellents due to their scent.
Just be sure to avoid any plants that may be toxic to pets or other wildlife.
Tips for success
- Protect new plantings: Even rabbit-resistant plants can be vulnerable when young. Use temporary netting until they’re established.
- Mix and match: Combine rabbit-resistant plants with more vulnerable ones to create a natural barrier.
- Observe local trends: See what thrives in neighbouring gardens - rabbits often develop local preferences.
Rabbit Proofing FAQs
How do I tell if rabbits are the ones causing damage in my garden?
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What kind of fencing or physical barrier works to keep rabbits out?
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How do I prevent rabbits from digging under fences?
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How do I protect trees from rabbits?
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Whatever your needs, at Mesh Direct we can provide you with the right wire mesh, from animal enclosures like dog runs and chicken coops, to pest proofing including insect mesh, fox proofing, rodent proofing. If you need any help with your project, don't hesitate to get in touch with our friendly and experienced team.
