A range of DIY deterrents, such as cayenne pepper and red pepper flakes, may be used to repel rabbits. Capsaicin, the molecule that gives peppers their spiciness, is found in red pepper flakes. It repels rabbits but does not harm plants. To manufacture your repellent, scatter dried red pepper flakes on your flowerbeds. To repel rabbits, spray WD-40 on fences and gates.
Flakes of red pepper
Another powerful repellant is crushed red pepper flakes. It has a pungent odor that rabbits dislike. The solution may also be sprinkled on plants and trees. While applying it, be sure to use a disposable face mask. The formula should last around two weeks. Reapply if it does not function after the initial application. If your rabbit develops resistance, add crushed garlic.
Another organic rabbit repellant mixes garlic and red peppers. It is safe for your plants and efficient enough to keep rabbits away. You may also prepare a repellant out of crushed red peppers and dish detergent, which you can keep in an empty milk jug and use on plants. This repellant works best when it has rained. However, before using the container, give it a good shake.
Combine crushed red pepper flakes and water to produce a DIY rabbit repellant. Use a fine mesh filter if you’re using a spray bottle. Use cheesecloth if possible to prevent minute particles from passing through. Alternatively, add a few crushed red pepper flakes to a small bottle of water. The hot pepper flakes provide a pungency to the liquid, making it suitable for use in the garden.
Limestone, crushed
Agricultural lime is a natural substance generated from crushed limestone that serves to lower soil pH. This chemical neutralizes smells and promotes grass and plant growth. The use of agricultural lime reduces acid accumulation in soil, which is sometimes caused by over-fertilization or chicken manure. Crushed limestone, in addition to deterring rabbits, is a natural technique to safeguard fruit trees, shrubs, and gardens.
Blood meal may be pulverized and used to fertilize plants or other locations. If necessary, repeat the treatment. It adds nitrogen to the soil, which benefits the plants. Cat litter is another inexpensive yet powerful natural deterrent. Powdered limestone has the same effect as red pepper. The substance cannot be smelled by a rabbit. This procedure may be used even if cat litter is not available. Several household items, including human hair and black pepper, have been demonstrated to repel rabbits.
Coyote feces
You must use a predator’s urine to properly repel bunnies. Any fragrance that the prey recognizes boosts its chances of repelling the rabbit. Coyote pee is very good in scaring away unwelcome creatures. Coyote urine is particularly effective on plants in the Southeast and Southwest, where coyotes are most prevalent.
Predator pee may be utilized as a natural deterrent as well. Most predators employ coyote pee as a natural deterrent, while fox, bear, mountain lion, and mouse urine are also used by certain bigger species. You should avoid applying peppermint oil on your rabbit regardless of whatever animal urine you use. While predator urine may be effective for other species, it is not recommended that rabbits be injured by it.
A ready-to-use spray bottle with peppermint oil and garlic is also useful. This repellant may cover up to 1,000 square feet of ground in a tiny container. It functions by smelling and tasting like predator pee. It lasts up to 30 days and is not washed away by rain. There are various methods for using peppermint oil to deter bunnies because of coyote urine.
A natural deterrent is to soak a towel in ammonia and put it near plants. If the scent of this repellant is too strong, scatter a few human hairs over the garden. Predator urine may also be applied to cotton balls. You should ideally use it every two weeks or after any rain. Garlic may also be sprinkled about your yard to deter burrowing creatures. However, avoid getting the oil on your hands. It is quite concentrated.
Lavender
The common name for various blooming plants in the Lamiaceae family is lavender. Lavandula is a plant that is native to Europe, China, and South-West Asia. Flowers and essential oil are frequently used in cooking and decoration. Lavender has a strong fragrance that rabbits find repulsive. You may also offer your rabbit-dried lavender as an alternative. If your rabbits have a sweet craving, providing fresh or dried lavender might be a good deterrent.
Do not, however, use undiluted essential oils on your rabbit. If you apply too much oil straight to their skin, you risk irritating their fragile skin. Lavender essential oil is usually mixed with carrier oil before being administered to the rabbit’s eyes or nose. A 2019 research examined rabbit skin sensitivity to 10% lavender oil blended with petroleum jelly.
Catnip is another plant that works well for rabbit deterrence. Catnip bushes produce fragrant, lavender-blue blooms that blossom in late spring and continue to bloom into the autumn. The blooms and leaves emit a rich flowery scent that cats like. This aroma also deters rabbits from attacking the flowering plant. The plant develops in a bush-like shape and requires full light and excellent soil. To release the odor, the blooms should be gathered and dried.
Another good rabbit repellent is a pot marigold plant. This plant is popular as an ornamental plant and as a perfume and candle smell. Its powerful aroma is repulsive to rabbits and keeps them away from your plants. Just be careful not to get the oil on your hands. It has a high concentration. This is why using essential oils requires the use of gloves. If you get any oil on your hands, be sure to properly wash them.
Peppermint essential oil
The use of peppermint oil to repel rabbits is an excellent method of keeping these creatures out of your garden. You just need a few drops on a cotton ball. Keep peppermint oil away from your skin since it might irritate it. To keep rabbits away, combine garlic, onion, and red chili peppers. Make sure the garlic cloves are sliced in half or quarters.
To keep rabbits out of your garden, you may also use vinegar or hot pepper spray. Another alternative is to soak old corncobs in vinegar and lay them around the border of your garden. To replace the vinegar, repeat the procedure. Stick bugs are another alternative for rabbit repellent. To ward off predators, they expel a milky material from behind their skulls. They will also avoid the garden if it has been doused with peppermint oil.
Essential oils are highly concentrated plant components with several applications. Essential oils, which are often used in aromatherapy, are increasingly found in cleaning goods, food flavorings, personal care items, and air fresheners. They may, however, be poisonous to pets. To keep yourself and your pets safe from peppermint oil poisoning, distribute it in a place where pets cannot get it. Peppermint essential oil is toxic to rabbits.
Mint leaves are harmless for rabbits and may be added to their diet in small quantities. However, only offer them the peppermint leaves and flowers, since the stems and leaves are the major sources of nutrients. Peppermint is a fantastic alternative as long as you choose a plant that is completely safe for rabbits. Just double-check that your rabbits can consume it.
