Habitat - Most
species prefer open, brushy, or cultivated areas, but some frequent marshes,
swamps or deserts. They tend to concentrate in favorable areas such as brushy
fence rows or field edges, gullies filled with debris, brush piles or landscaped
yards where food and cover are suitable. They typically spend their lives
within a 10 acre area.
Diet - Rabbits eat a wide variety of plants; from flowers and vegetables in the spring and summer to woody plants in fall and winter.
Reproduction - Rabbits live from 12 to 15 months, producing 2 to 3 litters per year with 5 to 6 young per litter. The gestation period is 28 days.
Rabbits can damage vegetable and flower gardens, trees, and shrubs any time of the year. Rabbit damage can be identified by the characteristic appearance of gnawing on older woody growth and the clean-cut, angled clipping of young stems. Among shade and ornamental trees, the hardest hit are the mountain ash, basswood, red maple, sugar maple, honey locust, ironwood, red and white oak, and willow.
Exclusion - One
the best ways to protect a backyard garden or berry patch is to install
either a wire or electric fence. Use a 3 foot, 1 inch mesh chicken wire
(or plastic mesh) fence and install with the bottom bent 6 inches outward
along the ground or buried a few inches and the top bent 6" outwards.
A dome or cage of chicken wire secured over a small flower bed will protect
vulnerable seedlings. To install an electric fence, string the bottom wire
2 inches above the ground on the outside and the top wire 4 inches above
the ground on the inside.
Keep the wires weed and grass free. Charge with
a garden electric fence charger. To protect trees and shrubs, enclose them
with 1/4" wire hardware cloth. It should extend 18-20" above ground
and 2-3" below ground. No supporting stakes are needed. The wire will
remain effective for 5-10 years if left in place.
Habitat Modification - To reduce the rabbit's habitat, remove brush
piles, weed patches, dumps, stone piles, and other debris where rabbits
can hide or raise young.
Repellents - Several repellents are available that discourage the
rabbits from eating or gnawing plants. Use repellents at the first sign
of rabbit damage for greater control. Hinder is the most effective commercial
rabbit repellent and can be used on all plants. Make the first application
to all plants in the garden and to all vegetation immediately surrounding
the garden within 10 feet. Thereafter, apply only to vulnerable plants with
as little material as possible. Re-treat every 10-14 days or after every
rain. Thiram is an effective repellent that can be used only on ornamental
plants. Apply in late fall, when temperatures are above freezing, to all
surfaces that rabbits might gnaw. Re-apply in late winter if necessary.
Household repellents, which tend to be less effective, includes mothballs,
dried blood meal, and used kitty litter from a cat that hunts outside. Scatter
these in and around the garden once a week.
Trapping - Live traps (or wire cage traps), available at hardware
stores, garden centers and Genesee County Animal Control can be effective.
(contact MSUE for plans for a homemade trap). Place traps near where they
feed or rest, near cover if possible. Check the traps daily and move them
if they fail to make a catch within a week. Bait with half a corn cob, dried
apples, dried clover or alfalfa in the winter and apples, carrots, cabbage
and other fresh vegetables in warmer weather. Release rabbits several miles
away in a rural area.
Poisons - There are no poisons registered for use against rabbits.
Shooting - Persistent shooting is a very effective control mechanism.
Check with the DNR for specific regulations and permits.
Other methods - 1) Encourage the rabbit's natural enemies (hawk,
owl, fox, mink, weasel, snake) to live in the area; 2) place a rubber hose
on the ground, shaped like a snake, to frighten them away; 3) large, clear
glass jars filled with water and placed in the garden may frighten them;
4) inflatable owls, snakes, eye spot balloons and other products can be
used, but are the least effective.
