Having a beautiful garden means that you can enjoy the flowers and or vegetables that come from it. However, you aren’t likely to be the only one who does. Many animals want to get a free nibble, which includes rabbits and deer.
If you’ve got a lot of rabbits around your home, you probably have eaten leaves and trampled plants. It’s important to find the best rabbit repellent to keep them away from the garden.
To do that, you need to learn about the various types and when to apply them. We also talk about 10 products to help you decide which one is right for your needs.
Table of Contents
Types of Rabbit Repellents That You Need to Know
When it comes to rabbit repellents, there are four primary types. Learning about each of them helps you determine the right one for your home and property.
Natural Rabbit Repellent
Natural rabbit repellents are those that don’t require any chemicals. Of course, this can include fencing and other barriers, but we are primarily talking about foodstuffs that rabbits dislike. You can also find natural ready-made repellents that work well and don’t use any harsh chemicals.
Generally, people who go the natural route often make their own repellent. To do that, you can use cayenne pepper (two tablespoons), garlic powder (two tablespoons), 20 ounces of water, and a squirt of dish soap.
Shake everything up and then spray it on the leaves of the plants you want to protect.
You can consider using garlic cloves around the fence, but this isn’t always going to work. Vinegar and ammonia are also good to keep away rabbits. Consider spraying either of these products around the perimeter of the garden to prevent rabbits from eating your plants.
Chemical Rabbit Repellent
Chemical repellents refer to anything that contains one or more synthetic chemicals. Generally, these are the ones you purchase from a store, though some manufacturers make natural products.
Many people choose the chemical, ready-made sprays because they are easy to use and handle. They do work well, but you should read the label thoroughly before using the product. Sometimes, they aren’t safe to be used around pets or children.
Therefore, you might need to keep everyone inside until they are dry. Regardless, you may find that chemical repellents work faster and can last longer, depending on your situation and needs.
Motion Activated Rabbit Repellent
Motion-activated repellents are designed to turn on when it senses movement. Usually, they have a sensor that only activates when small animals are present. That way, you don’t get caught and treated like a rabbit when you go to water your garden.
Often, they look like sprinklers and are designed to shoot a jet of water, which scares away the rabbits. However, you can also find light systems for the nighttime.
Ultrasonic repellents are also available and emit a high-pitched sound that only animals can hear, which keeps them away from the space.
Physical Rabbit Repellent
Rabbits don’t often burrow under the ground, but they can. Still, you might try a physical rabbit repellent, such as a fence or netting. You can choose to net a particular part of the garden or add nets around the entire perimeter.
Since rabbits are quite small, they can wiggle into tight spaces. You need nets or fences that have very small mesh holes. Also, make sure that it is tall enough that the rabbits can’t jump over the barrier.
Plants to Repel Rabbits
If you already plan to have these plants, then you shouldn’t have to worry much about rabbits. They dislike leeks, asparagus, potatoes, and onions. Rabbits also hate squash, rhubarb, and tomatoes.
Also, consider planting some herbs, such as parsley, oregano, mint, and basil. If you plan these items around the perimeter, chances are, the rabbits aren’t going to venture into the middle of the garden to get what they want.
The 10 Best Rabbit Repellents For Your Gardens & Lawns
This table shows all 10 products in the list form. Therefore, it’s much easier to learn quick facts and go to the item you want to know more about without scrolling.
When it comes to keeping rabbits and deer out of your garden or yard, Nature’s Mace is an ideal and iconic product. While there are multiple formulations, we are focused on the 40-ounce concentrate, which makes 5 gallons of product.
Mix it all up in a 5-gallon container, and it’s ready to spray anywhere you don’t want rabbits and deer to go. The proven technology behind the product ensures that it lasts a long time, is rain resistant, and dries odorless.
Nature’s Mace uses scent, fear, and taste to repel these animals. The ingredients are natural and backed by studies. Plus, you can use it anywhere, such as on the lawn, in the garden, and around ornamentals.
You’re going to find that this product is highly safe because all of the ingredients are organic. Therefore, your children and pets can go outside where you’ve sprayed once the liquid is dry.
Plus, you can use the product year-round. Though you shouldn’t use it in the mornings when dew is present, it’s not going to wash off when it rains.
2. Liquid Fence Deer & Rabbit Repellent
While the name of the product is Liquid Fence, you don’t have to spray it on fences. In fact, you can spray it directly onto the plants. It works on flowers, ornamental gardens, shrubs, vines, and trees.
This product comes in a 32-ounce sprayer or container, either concentrated or ready to spray. You should add about 12.8 ounces of the product to a gallon of water. Then, you can spray it with a sprinkler or garden sprayer.
The good news is the deer or rabbits don’t have to eat the plants for this repellent to work. They aren’t even going to get near because of the scent.
You are likely to smell something while applying the product, but the scent goes away once it’s dried. The animals can still smell it, though, and are going to stay away.
Plus, the product is rain-resistant and long-lasting. It goes to work immediately to repel these unwanted animals. It is also harmless to pets and children when you store and use it properly.
3. Enviro Pro 11025 Rabbit Scram Repellent Granular White Pail
For many, the best way to get rid of rabbits is to use scram. It’s a natural repellent, which also means it is environmentally safe. The one from Enviro Pro is specially formulated to prevent damage to your flowers, shrubs, and vegetables.
It’s not going to smell bad when you apply it and doesn’t get washed off in the rain. Plus, it isn’t going to hurt the rabbits or any other animals nearby. Of course, it’s also safe to use around children.
This product comes in a 25-pound container, though you can find other sizes available. Inside, you find granules, which can be spread along the perimeter of the garden or wherever you want to keep rabbits away.
If the product regularly gets wet, it should last about a month, but if it’s a dry area, it can last upwards of three months. You may find it much easier to use because you don’t have to spray or mix anything.
Plus, it’s organic, so all of the ingredients are natural. It’s not going to harm the rabbits or kill them. Instead, it just scares them away because of the smell.
4. Ortho Deer B Gon Deer and Rabbit Repellent
Are you tired of seeing your beautiful garden destroyed by rabbits or deer? If so, then Ortho Deer B Gon might be the best choice for you. You can spray it toward the base of the plant or all over the plants to ensure that it works hard to keep deer and rabbits away.
The manufacturer claims a ‘no stink’ formula, so you don’t smell anything as you apply it. However, it leaves a scent that deer and rabbits can smell and don’t like. If one is brave enough to handle the smell, a quick nibble is enough to tell them that it tastes bad and to leave it alone.
When you use the product as directed, it’s safe for the plants, your pets, and humans. Of course, you should wash any vegetables before consuming them to ensure that the product is gone.
This natural product contains clove oil, cinnamon oil, and putrescent egg solids. Therefore, deer and rabbits are going to dislike the odor and taste.
5. Plantskydd Animal Repellent
The Plantskydd brand isn’t as well-known as some of the others. Still, it is designed to be used year-round to control a variety of animals. These include hares, moose, elk, rabbits, deer, squirrels, and so much more.
This is a concentrate product, so a 2.2-pound box is going to make 2.5 gallons of liquid. That is enough to treat more than 900 seedlings and plants that are 1 foot high. Also, it is waterproof after 24 full hours of spraying.
You’re going to find that this product is organic and OMRI listed. Therefore, it’s not going to hurt the environment, your family, or any animals. Plus, it lasts a long time and is highly effective.
The application frequency is to apply every two to four weeks during active growing seasons. Then, you can spray every three to six months during the dormant season. If you haven’t planted the seedlings yet, you can dip or spray them in the solution first.
6. I Must Garden Rabbit Repellent
While many repellents focus on deer and rabbits, the I Must Garden brand is only for rabbits. Therefore, it might work better if that is the only animal pest you’ve got to worry about.
The repellent is formulated specifically to prevent rabbit damage to your plants. It features concentrated botanical oils that rabbits already dislike eating. Therefore, it creates a spray that is going to smell and taste bad.
You can spray it directly onto your plants and grass. It features three times the normal amount of active ingredients, so it is much stronger.
Though rabbits don’t like the smell, you are going to sniff a pleasant minty smell. However, each ingredient used is designed to protect the plants from rabbits.
With the sticky agents used, the product is going to adhere to your plant’s leaves. Therefore, you get longer-lasting protection and don’t have to reapply after every rainfall. You’re also going to like that it’s safe for pollinators and pets, as well as your children.
If you’re interested in something different than a spray, the motion-activated sprinkler from Havahart might be ideal. It can repel a variety of animals, including rabbits, opossums, and raccoons. When animals get near to it, a surge of water is released to scare them away.
It works because of the infrared sensors, which detect movement and heat from the animal. Plus, it can work up to 60 feet away from the garden. With the metal spike included, you can put it anywhere you’ve got animal issues.
The good news is you can also use it as a sprinkler because it has a continuous spray setting. Each spray uses about two to three cups of water, so it’s eco-friendly. It’s designed to connect to your outside hose, so you don’t need to run a water line under the ground.
Though it works, you may need multiple sprinklers. That way, you can protect all areas of the yard or garden.
8. ZOVENCHI Solar Ultrasonic Animal Repeller
Do you want a high-tech way to keep pests away? If so, then the ultrasonic repeller from ZOVENCHI might be ideal. It emits sounds that only animals can hear. This is designed to keep rodents, dogs, cats, and rabbits away.
You can use it around the lawn, flower bed, bird feeder, pond, and other areas of the home. When an animal comes within range, the sensor starts working to emit ultrasonic sounds. Then, the red light is going to come on, which also works as a deterrent.
It features solar panels at the top of the product, which ensures that it works all day and night. Plus, it charges itself so that it runs all night long. This also means that you don’t need an outlet or have to worry about cords.
You’re going to find it easy to use because you just insert the stake into the ground. Make sure there’s plenty of sunlight throughout the day and turn it on so that it starts charging.
9. PREDATORGUARD Solar Powered Predator Deterrent Light
Those who prefer not to spray anything might like the PREDATORGUARD brand, as it’s a deterrent light. It features high-grade industrial components, so it’s going to last a long time and be waterproof. Plus, there’s no maintenance required.
This product can repel a variety of predators, such as raccoons, wolves, deer, rabbits, and bears. It’s going to protect your ponds, gardens, campsites, trash bins, and much more.
With the solar panel feature, it charges throughout the day and can turn itself on during the night. That way, you get help when you need it most.
Plus, you only have to set it up once, and it’s going to emit an alternating flash pattern. Therefore, the animals aren’t going to get used to the lights and come back.
Since it is solar-powered, you must put it in a place that gets a lot of sunlight during the day. You can choose to move it at dusk if you desire. Also, it might be a good idea to have more than one, especially for a large area.
The Orbit 62100 model is a motion-activated sprinkler and can work in the daytime and at night. It’s designed to be a humane way to repel pests and animals. Therefore, you can keep them away from the yard, garden, or plants with just a harmless water spray.
This is the only deterrent sprinkler that works in the daytime and at night, giving you 24-hour protection. That way, it activates whenever you need it to work, regardless of the time.
The spike at the end goes into the ground. It’s very stable and can hold up your Yard Enforcer. Plus, the sprayer can shoot 70 feet and runs in a circular pattern for full coverage of the space. You can get 3,840 square feet in diameter with this product.
You’re going to like that it only takes four AA batteries, which can get up to 7,500 activation cycles. Plus, it only uses about two cups of water each time it is activated.
How to Use Rabbit Repellent?
The way you use the rabbit repellent depends on the type you purchase. If you’re using a sprinkler system, you need to place it where you normally see animals and hook it up to your garden hose outside.
If you’re using granules, you should sprinkle them around the perimeter of the garden or around each separate plant. That way, rabbits stay away from the space altogether.
When using sprays, you can buy ready-made products or concentrates. The ready-made versions allow you to take it out of the package and spray directly on the plants. If it’s a concentrate, you should mix it according to the package label and spray it.
How Often Should I Apply Rabbit Repellent?
Generally, you want to apply the rabbit repellent product to a dry plant, so you should wait until the morning dew is gone.
Then, you should let it dry for about an hour before it rains or you water the plants. Most spray products are designed with sticky agents that adhere to the plants.
Once you’ve applied it, you need to reapply it every two to four weeks. The product label can tell you how often to do so. Some of them require you to apply it once a week for a specific duration and then switch to once a month.
Keep in mind that you may need to reapply the rabbit repellent more frequently if you have a lot of rabbits on the property. That way, you never worry that the rabbits are going to get bolder as the smell or taste starts wearing off.
Will Rabbit Repellent Work on Squirrels, Dogs, Cats, etc.?
In many cases, rabbit repellents can work on other creatures, such as deer or squirrels. The spray varieties are designed to sense any animal and shoot a spray of water on them. This scares them away.
With time, they remember the area and steer clear of it for fear of getting soaked. Some liquid sprays and granules also work on other animals. It’s best to read the product label to find out which animals are repelled by that particular product.
Generally, dogs and cats don’t mind the smells of mint, cinnamon, clove, and garlic, all of which are in most repellents for rabbits. Therefore, you may have more problems keeping household pets and neighbor’s animals off the property with a rabbit repellent.
Conclusion
When it comes to choosing the best rabbit repellent, we went through 10 different products to help you decide. Though any of these options are designed to keep rabbits away from your plants, we did find that a few seemed better than the others.
If you’re looking for a liquid spray product, the Liquid Fence Concentrate might be the best for you. We liked that it was safe and harmless. Plus, it’s easily sprayed over the landscape or wherever you want to deter rabbits.
Those who prefer a sprinkler system might like the Orbit 62100 Yard Enforcer. It features a stable spike design and can go anywhere. Since it runs on batteries, you don’t have to place it in direct sunlight for it to work.
Plus, you can hook it up to your garden hose. With the dual purpose of being a sprinkler and a rabbit repeller, you can use it to water the plants and keep them safe.
Is rabbit scram dog friendly?