Rabbits have been a major cause of damage to flowers, gardens, and crops for centuries. A single rabbit can eat 115 pounds of herbage per acre per year! That’s a lot of damage. Due to their rapid reproductive rate, rabbits have the potential to quickly overwhelm your garden and flower beds.
Although fencing is certainly an option for keeping them out, the expense can be prohibitive.
In this Today’s Homeowner review, we’ll show you a better, cheaper way to keep rabbits away.
We’ll explore several types of rabbit repellents made from natural ingredients, as well as one surprising repellent you might not have considered or even heard of.
4.6
Over 90 years of experience
Nationwide service area
Free retreatments if pests return
4.7
Treats 20 types of pests
Offers instant online quotes
30-day money-back guarantee
What Are Rabbit Repellents?
A rabbit repellent is any substance that causes rabbits to flee from them or show aversion or distaste for the smell and/or taste.
Fences are also considered repellents but aside from noting they’re an option, we’re not considering them here.
Instead, we’re looking at natural ingredients or special chemicals that will repel rabbits when they encounter them. Some of the repellents we’ll consider prominently mention deer on the label because rabbits and deer are usually repelled by the same things.
Many plants are also considered as deer or rabbit repellents based on the fact these plants are unlikely to be eaten by them. Please note; “unlikely” doesn’t mean “never” so using these plants isn’t a sure-fire way of keeping rabbits away.
How Do Rabbit Repellents Work?
Rabbit repellents work in one of three main ways. Often they are combined in one product. The methods are fear, smell, and taste.
- Fear is based on presenting rabbits with the smell of blood or dead animals. This triggers a fight-or-flight response in them due to what they consider the possible presence of a predator.
- Smell works by creating a noxious or unpleasant smell that drives rabbits away from it. Animals respond to odors differently than we do, which is why things that don’t smell bad to us, or are undetectable by humans, will have a tremendous impact on them.
- Taste is the lowest on the triad of methods. This method creates an unpleasant taste in the rabbit’s mouth after they take a bite of the protected plant. It will eventually drive them away but by that time, the plant has already sustained damage.
Plants that repel rabbits are usually in this class. They will probably sustain some rabbit damage but it will be minor.
Are Rabbit Repellents Effective For Repelling Rabbits?
Like all repellents, rabbit repellents work on a percentage basis. This means they will be successful only in a certain percentage of cases. The percentage might be as high as 95%, but it will never be 100% effective.
Many rabbit repellents aren’t designed to be used directly on the plants grown for human consumption. The ground around them can be treated or the leaves can be treated (lightly) but the edible parts aren’t where the repellent is meant to be applied.
The effectiveness also depends on the rabbit population density. In areas of high population density, repellents are less effective due to competition for food and other resources. Repellents work best in areas where the rabbit population is relatively low.
How To Use Rabbit Repellents
A repellent spray should be sprayed around the base of each plant and on the non-edible leaves. A wideband, four to five feet wide can be sprayed along the outside border of the garden or flower bed you’re protecting.
Granules should be broadcast over the area being treated. After spreading them, go back over the area and wipe the granules off the plants themselves. If possible, use the spreader close to the ground so the granules don’t land on the plants.
Are Rabbit Repellents Safe Around My Pets and Children?
None of the active ingredients are toxic in and of themselves, therefore they are safe around people, children, and pets. The wet repellents have a strong smell when they’re first sprayed, so keeping the kids away is a good idea.
The sole exception is the fertilizer-repellent. Keep the kids away until it’s been watered in.
How Do You Find the Best Rabbit Repellent?
Look for a repellent that mentions either deer or rabbits on the label. Both are repelled by similar fears, odors, and tastes.
Look for active ingredients such as dried blood, putrescent egg solids, garlic, mint oil, or pepper of some kind, usually white pepper, cayenne pepper, or hot pepper.
Stay away from anything that claims it can also repel insects. It either contains an insecticide or it’s a fake.
5 Best Rabbit Repellents
- Nature’s Mace Deer and Rabbit Repellent
- Liquid Fence Deer & Rabbit Repellent Concentrate
- Plantskydd Soluble Powder Concentrate
- Liquid Fence Deer & Rabbit Repellent Ready-to-Use
- Plantskydd Organic Granular Animal Repellent
- Milorganite® Organic Nitrogen Fertilizer
Liquid Fence Deer & Rabbit Repellent Concentrate
This is a premixed, ready-to-use version of the Liquid Fence concentrate for those of you who don’t want to go through the hassle of measuring and mixing.
It contains all the same active ingredients and works the same way.
It comes with a built-in spray top that attaches to the jug via a coiled-loop tubing that stretches two to three feet for convenient spraying.
This repellent lasts just as long as the concentrate and works the same way.
Like all liquid repellents, it can be washed away by a heavy rain. It’s safe and harmless to people and pets but you shouldn’t use it on edible crops or plants intended for human consumption.
It is also a good deer repellent if you’re having deer trouble.
Nature’s Mace Deer and Rabbit Repellent
The active ingredients in this rabbit repellent are putrescent egg solids, garlic, mint oil, and white pepper.
This combination creates a mixture of offensive smells, fear, and bad taste to discourage rabbits from nibbling your garden plants.
This 40-ounce bottle of concentrate makes five gallons of repellent spray. For small flower beds, you’ll need a 32-ounce spray bottle.
For large gardens or to treat the whole yard, a backpack sprayer is recommended.
This natural rabbit repellent is environmentally friendly and harmless to people and pets. It’s designed for year-round use and doesn’t smell once it has dried.
It can be washed away quite easily when it rains though, so you’ll have to reapply it.
Plantskydd Soluble Powder Concentrate
This concentrate is a soluble powder from Plantskydd. It’s OMRI (Organic Materials Review Institute) listed, which means it meets the requirements for organic farming.
The active ingredient is dried porcine and/or bovine blood so don’t spray it on edible plants.
The scent of blood creates a fear reaction that will repel rabbits. Because it’s a powder, once it dries it is rain-resistant and will last for two to four weeks during the growing season, three to six months during the dormant season.
It’s safe for people and pets and has a long shelf life in its original packaging, up to five years if it is tightly resealed.
Liquid Fence Deer & Rabbit Repellent Ready-to-Use
This is a premixed, ready-to-use version of the Liquid Fence concentrate for those of you who don’t want to go through the hassle of measuring and mixing.
It contains all the same active ingredients and works the same way.
It comes with a built-in spray top that attaches to the jug via a coiled-loop tubing that stretches two to three feet for convenient spraying.
This repellent lasts just as long as the concentrate and works the same way.
Like all liquid repellents, it can be washed away by a heavy rain. It’s safe and harmless to people and pets but you shouldn’t use it on edible crops or plants intended for human consumption.
It is also a good deer repellent if you’re having deer trouble.
Plantskydd Organic Granular Animal Repellent
This is the granular version of the soluble powder discussed earlier.
The active ingredient is 100% dried blood, porcine and/or bovine but no animal parts were used. This 3.5-pound jug covers 1750 square feet.
It’s OMRI listed and lasts for six to eight weeks during the active growing season. It will get rid of rabbits along with deer, voles, squirrels, chipmunks, and other critters.
You’ll need a hand spreader to broadcast the granules over the area being treated.
It’s safe for people and pets but don’t put it directly on the edible part of plants you’re treating. For bulb protection, sprinkle it into the holes and around the planting site. It won’t wash away in heavy rain.
Milorganite® Organic Nitrogen Fertilizer
Milorganite® is an artificial word made from MILwaukee ORGAnic NITrogEn. Beginning in 1919, the Milwaukee Sewage Commission began researching a new fertilizer.
Then, the University of Nebraska research in 2013, discovered Milorganite® was an effective rabbit repellent as well as an excellent source of fertilizer.
It doesn’t stop rabbits completely, but it puts a significant damper on their activities.
It comes in a 36-pound bag for just over $20. It’s intended for outdoor use so it’s usable in all weather conditions, repels rabbits, and fertilizes your lawn and garden at the same time. However, it is a fertilizer so it has a rather pungent smell.
Final Thoughts On Rabbit Repellents
You can use granules, ready-to-spray repellents, concentrates, or Milorganite® to repel rabbits so they stay away from your vegetable garden, flower beds, and small trees. The Milorganite® by itself or in combination with any repellent for a great one-two punch.
If you’re looking for professional pest control help, use the tool below to get estimates from local professionals:
