Why Are There So Many Rabbits In My Yard?
Rabbits may be cute, but the cuteness wears off when they damage your plants and lawn. Not only do they eat soft flowers and vegetables, but they can also burrow into your soil and damage it. So, why are there so many rabbits in my yard?
There are probably a lot of rabbits in your yard during the spring and summer, especially if there are no natural predators around. They also flock to yards with water sources, like ponds, and lots of hiding spaces under shrubs. You can deter rabbits if you remove water sources and clean up the debris in your yard and garden.
Don’t hesitate to use commercial rabbit repellents, like ultrasonic devices, to keep rabbits away. Follow along as we explore why your yard has so many rabbits and highlight how to keep them away.Â
What Attracts Rabbits To Your Yard?
1. The Time Of Year
If you moved into a new neighborhood during the fall or winter, you probably didn’t see any rabbits at first. However, you probably noticed a big spike in the rabbit population during the spring and summer. This is when rabbits are most active, as the temperature and food sources are more suitable for them.
They typically go dormant at night in most areas, so you mostly only see them during the day. That said, you probably won’t see them during the hottest point of the day, as they prefer cool temperatures. You most likely see rabbits in the morning and in the early evening when it cools down before sunset.
The rabbit population will steadily grow between March and September until the rabbits stop for the rest of the year. Everything you’ve heard about rabbits and their mating habits is mostly true. Some people exaggerate, but you will see lots of baby rabbits during the spring and summer as they reproduce constantly.
2. No Natural Predators
Real estate developers often build neighborhoods and apartment complexes in areas that were previously full of wildlife. When this happens, some animals stay, and others leave due to the big changes. That includes some of the predators who typically hunt rabbits in the wild.
Rabbits have many natural predators, including coyotes, foxes, badgers, bobcats, and even domestic cats. Such animals may have left your area due to land development or even because of problems associated with climate change. The lack of predators can empower rabbits and let them run wild, which isn’t such a good thing.
Most animals, including rabbits, need natural predators, or else the population will run rampant. That can explain why your property is overpopulated with rabbits. There’s nothing you can do about that, as you can’t ethically reintroduce bobcats or coyotes to your neighborhood.
3. Your Yard Is Perfect For Nesting
Rabbits aren’t as picky as other mammals when it comes to where they like to nest. For example, some rabbits nest in small holes in the soil, while others hide beneath bushes. That said, rabbits still prefer to nest in yards that have plenty of hiding spots.
Their instinct is to hide from predators and protect their young, even if no predators are around. Because of that, they typically gravitate to yards with lots of dense plants and shrubs. Not only does it provide food sources, but it also provides hiding spots.
This is especially true if your yard has lots of soft soil, which they can easily dig through. Decks, small structures, and yard decorations with small gaps beneath them attract rabbits as well.
4. Plenty Of Water
Like any mammal, rabbits need water as much as they need food. Naturally, they gravitate to yards that have a steady water source. That includes small ponds, birdbaths, and even poorly-graded soil, as it can contribute to standing water.
You will also probably find rabbits in your yard if there’s a creek behind your house. That’s especially true if your yard is bordered with trees, shrubs, and tall grass.
You can deter rabbits if you remove man-made water sources, like artificial ponds and birdbaths. However, you can’t do much about natural water sources, like organic ponds and creeks.
5. Lawn And Garden Debris
Rabbits often look for spots full of lawn and garden debris. Not only does it help them navigate the landscape undetected, but it also provides nesting materials. You’re not messy if your yard has lots of debris, as that’s natural and often unavoidable.
However, you may want to think twice about how much debris you leave in your yard. Lawn debris has its benefits, as it can help protect pollinators throughout the fall and winter. However, you should try to keep your lawn and garden as neat as possible during the spring and summer.
That way, rabbits won’t consider your yard a great nesting location. Remove the grass clippings, twigs, sticks, plant trimmings, and fallen leaves in your yard and garden. That said, it’s worth leaving some debris out during early autumn for the pollinators, as the rabbits will be gone.
6. You Have A Vegetable Garden
You’re not alone if you’ve ever gotten frustrated by the tiny bite marks all over your crops. Some of the bite marks may come from deer, whereas rabbits are responsible for others. That’s especially true if you grow leafy greens, like kale and romaine lettuce.
Rabbits love leafy greens, and they’ll stick around your yard if you keep growing them. That doesn’t mean you must stop growing leafy greens and other vegetables. However, you should at least fortify them and close them off with chicken wire.
You can also build a fence around your vegetable garden to keep rabbits, deer, and other pests away. However, you can’t keep them away from the flowers in your garden as easily, unless you remove water sources and nesting materials.
How To Keep Rabbits Away
Regrade Your Lawn
Does water constantly pool on your lawn? If so, that’s probably because of a grading problem, which is fixable, albeit frustrating to deal with. Unfortunately, regrading a lawn costs at least $1,000 in many cases, if not more, depending on lawn size.
It’s important to hire a professional landscaper, as they have the tools and knowledge needed to get it right the first time. Regrading your lawn can deter rabbits by removing standing water, and it can improve soil drainage. This can also improve lawn health and prevent soil erosion.
Wrap The Base Of Your Trees
Rabbits often gravitate to the base of trees and chew on them. You can deter them if you wrap the base of your trees with wire mesh, which they can’t gnaw on. This can affect the appearance of the trees, but it can also save you a lot of trouble down the road.
Repel Them With Strong Odors
Like most animals, rabbits are sensitive to strong odors, some of which may surprise you. For example, many people scatter mint oil and crushed peppermint leaves in their gardens to deter rabbits. You can also put some cayenne pepper and garlic in a spray bottle with water and spray your garden.
The smell is strong enough to deter rabbits and many annoying lawn pests. Coffee grounds, onions, peppers, and even crushed bars of soap can also keep gardens out of your garden.
Use An Ultrasonic Device
Homeowners use ultrasonic devices to repel snakes, deer, and even rabbits. You can’t hear the sound an ultrasonic device emits, but animals certainly can. The frequency is unpleasant and should stop rabbits from entering your yard and garden.
It’s worth using two ultrasonic devices if you have a big yard with vegetation in the front and back. In that case, stick one in the soil out front and another in a popular nesting area in the back. That should be enough to deter rabbits and other pests.
Install Motion-Activated Sprinklers
A little water can’t hurt rabbits, but it can at least keep them away from your beloved plants. That’s especially true if you place some motion-activated sprinklers throughout your house. As the name suggests, motion-activated sprinklers spray a quick stream of water when triggered by movement.
Ideally, you should place the sprinklers in spots where rabbits are most active in your yard. They won’t hurt the rabbits, but the stream of water should scare them out of your yard. It may take a while for the rabbits to figure it out, but they should eventually leave.
Summing It Up
Rabbits gravitate to yards full of leafy greens, shrubs, and soft flowers. They prefer yards with plenty of hiding spots under shrubs, decks, and lawn decorations. You can keep rabbits out of your yard with chicken wire, motion-activated sprinklers, and strong scents, like garlic and peppermint.
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Nick Durante is a professional writer with a primary focus on home improvement. When he is not writing about home improvement or taking on projects around the house, he likes to read and create art. He is always looking towards the newest trends in home improvement.
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