Get the latest This Old House news, trusted tips, tricks, and DIY Smarts projects from our expertsstraight to your inbox. and other creatures will eventually avoid it. She has 30+ years of experience with year-round organic gardening; seed starting and saving; growing heirloom plants, perennials, and annuals; and sustainable and urban farming. Rabbits the feeling of fear. Often those noises will help scare any potential rabbit invaders away. This guy right next to me? Answer: The rodenticide baits are only labeled for rats and mice and meant to attractant these types of rodents. Read our. You can use a simple pre-made garlic spray or easily make your own by mixing some with a few raw eggs and pouring the mixture around your plants and garden. That being said, you really only need to plant these flowers if you enjoy the look of them, or as an extra buffer against rabbits, after utilizing another solution. Chili Powder is commonly used as a repellent due to its active ingredient, Capsaicin. your garden or each plant is very reliable. Some the these hates smells include: Many property owners who wish to keep rabbits away without hurting them, employ these odors that rabbits consider foul or alarming and they work well to keep them out. Try interplanting planting highly fragrant herbs and flowers, plants with prickly, hairy leaves, and toxic plants with your vegetables and ornamentals to help confuse and repel rabbits. Image By: Obodai26 from Pixabay. Even though rabbits have a strong sense of smell, lemon may not actually repel them. Reapply this eve. todecide how humane you want to be in your approach to deter them. In essence: if you live in the United States, bobcat urine an excellent way to keep rabbits away! If youve ever taken a big whiff of raw quality grade chili powder, youll know what Im talking about here. How Do Rabbits React to Smells They Hate? We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Now that we know what to do, your next question may be: why is this method so effective? Remove from heat and allow it to cool to room temperature. While humans may enjoy the calming scent of lavender, rabbits despise lavender due to the strong scent and bitter irritation it provides to them. You can take advantage of this trait by using scents they dislike, such as garlic, vinegar, chili powder, predator urine, sulfur, blood meal, chives, lavender, geraniums, and wax begonias. If they are a free-roaming they will just simply run away from it. Strong artificial scents and dust aggravate a rabbits nose. Basically, chili powder has an active ingredient called capsaicin that does all the irritating we mentioned. Generally, sweet herbs and flowers are inviting to rabbits. Just having the coffee grounds in your garden will repel rabbits. Some species or unique rabbits may hate them, but this is not a smell that makes the list of scents that all rabbits hate. The Spruce /Micah Issitt and Adrienne Legault. Strong artificial scents and dust aggravate a rabbit's nose. 7. So, another common repellent for rabbits would be to purchase one of these animals urine and spread it amongst your flowers and other plants (not directly on the plants, of course.). In Symposium ProceedingsCoyotes in the Southwest: A Compendium of Our Knowledge (1995) (p. 27). Licking can be so instinctual that they're immediately drawn to lick the second they smell your scent! Can Rabbits Eat Onions? - Health Risks and Poisoning Symtoms Can Rabbits Eat Lemons? Make sure the smell will be strong enough to repel rabbits. You should definitely use scents to deter rabbits, but there are other things that you can do to your property that will help deter rabbits and other pesky critters in the long run. Will A Mom Rabbit Come Back For Her Babies? Some rabbits may get accustomed to the smell, thereby eating your garden anyway and to their hearts content. Hey there, fellow rabbit enthusiasts! link to Thump, Thump! Do rabbits like the smell of lemongrass? Rosemary contains essential nutrients that help the growth of rabbits. Rabbits have an excellent sense of smell thats 20 timesbetter than humans. The scent irritates the sensitive sinus of rabbits quite quickly. Good ol fashioned chili powder. Some species or unique rabbits may hate them, but this is not a smell that makes the list of scents that all rabbits hate. So when you plant rosemary, lavender, thyme, bee balm, and mint to discourage deer, you are also planting rabbit-resistant herbs. It has an NPK ratio of 12-0-0, meaning there are large amounts of nitrogen without phosphorus or potassium. Strain, and then add enough water to make a gallon of the mixture. You can avoid these odors if you wish for your pet to be comfortable and relaxed in your home. Rabbits noses are extremely sensitive, mainly why you frequently see rabbits constantly twitching their little sniffers in the air. No, rabbits shouldn't eat citronella. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. While the amount of cyanide contained in fruit seeds and pits is generally scant, it is best to avoid feeding them to rabbits altogether. How Good is a Rabbit's Sense of Smell? Rabbit Care Tips Things that are ready to eat and immediately available, like carrots, cabbage. Valerian root is part of an herb that is commonly used in humans for sleep disorders and anxiety. All of our posts have been carefully researched before publishing to ensure that they are to the best of our knowledge, accurate. They may take a bite, but they will experience the heat and wont like it. You can purchase predator urine, like bears, coyotes, and foxes, from sporting goods, home improvement, or gardening stores. Generally, the following oils are considered safe for rabbits: lavender, lemon, orange, fennel, peppermint, eucalyptus. It would be nice if there were plants that are truly rabbit-proof, but as with other animals, rabbits can surprise you. Since chives are such a strong-smelling plant, using this herb to repel rabbits is always a brilliant idea. Any way you want to do it will be sufficient. They could eat lavender plants, but some are repealed by the odor while others receive the calming aroma well when the oil mixed with water is gently rubbed on their fur. Bee balm can also be used to repel deer. Peppermint, Pine, Sweet Birch, Tea Tree, Wintergreen. For Your Pet: Bunnies enjoy chomping on lemongrass stalks, as they are tough and crunchy. Fireplace fumes ensure your house is well ventilated so carbon dioxide fumes are properly dispersed. Peppermint. Image by nautilus64 from Pixabay. Lemongrass, a herb used in many recipes and essential oils, can be grown as a perennial plant with low maintenance. As we previously mentioned, rabbits have a powerful sense of smell and are wary of other animals urine. On the contrary, rabbits find coffee to be an overpowering smell that quickly makes them turn and run in the opposite direction. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Read on to learn more about what smells rabbits hate and how you can use them, as well as other tips and tricks to get those pesky furballs to stop eating your plants! Smell. So, you may see increased fox or coyote activity because of the smell, which may create additional problems. We will always advocate the use of natural products to deter rabbits and any other type of wildlife. Like we mentioned before, rabbits have such sensitive noses so they can sniff out potential predators. Fortunately, a lot of the same plants that deer don't like are also disliked by rabbits. Use of predator odors as repellents to reduce feeding damage by herbivores. Rabbits also hate the smell of blood, crushed red peppers, ammonia, vinegar, and garlic. HumanWildlife Interactions, 8(1), 12. Sign me up to receive pest tips and news! Lemon; Final Thoughts. {When Attacked or Scared}, Does Rabbit Pee Stain Clothes? Do Rabbits Smell? (Simple Tips to Keep Them Odorless) You will have to create an application schedule for any olfactory offensivemeasureand this may become tedious. Using these scents to your advantage can help to deter wild rabbits or to keep your . Lemon Balm. Rabbits can and do recognize their owners. Deer and rabbits often ignore strongly scented herbs such as basil, rosemary, and oregano. Use essential oils of any aromatic herbs mentioned, such as rosemary, mint, peppermint, lemon balm, etc. Similarly, tabasco sauce also contains capsaicin and will also have the desired effect. Its best to play it safe and check for your rabbits preferences while keeping strong scents such as essential oils in other rooms away from your rabbit enclosure. While it may depend on what kind of scent you are using, typically with the smell them away method, you are simply spraying or otherwise applying the scent to the area around your garden or flowerbeds. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. They like to eat almost any fruit. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Visit our Terms and Conditions for more information. Can rabbits eat lemongrass? - Cute Rabbit Pets If you want to keep your rabbit in comfort at home, then you should avoid some of the pungent smells and aromas and we have listed in todays article. Used in conjunction with some of the scents we mentioned above, you can essentially rabbit proof your yard for the long haul with ease. You can also use chili powder or cayenne pepper for similar effects. If your yard doesnt have a proper spot for a rabbit to snack in peace, its less likely that they will choose your garden to be their new favorite lunch spot. Read on to learn more about what smells rabbits hate and how you can . What smell do rabbits love? What Herbs Do Rabbits Hate? - FAQS Clear Do rabbits like the smell of mint? A rabbits excellent sense of smell can be a negative and positive. Rabbit olfactory deterrents are not always reliable. But dont run to the store for repellant just yetvinegar is an easy way to deter rabbits from stealing your veggies! Herbs That Rabbits Can And Can't Eat - SmallPetJournal They shift their noses up and down to identify a scent, aided by the splitin their top lip. Try looking out for a bulk bag of chili powder at your local wholesale store and spread the mix around your garden 1-2 times a week to keep the scent at its peak. Animals like coyotes, foxes, or even your house cat or dog will be effective deterrents. Michael Morris, hard goods manager at the Longmont Flower Bin, has rabbit and deer repellent products and plants that the critters don't like at its . BunnyAdvice.com is an independent rabbit advice site which aims to provide rabbit owners and enthusiasts with information regarding rabbit care. Wax begonias tend to be a little more uncommon in gardens than geraniums or lavender. Yes, some people use coffeegrounds throughout their gardens with great success. Rabbits are so sensitive to respiratory changes and problems that I wouldnt take the risk, even if your rabbits seem okay with candles and other scents. Is Vinegar Safe For Rabbits? - Ask My Rabbit If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Anything spicy will be abhorrentto a rabbits delicate nose. What Does It Mean When A Rabbit Raises Its Tail? The powerful concentration of scents that essential oils deliver make them a great deterrent to rabbits. What Scents Are Toxic To Rabbits? - Stellina Marfa Rabbits have a strong sense of smell, which they use to find accessible food sources. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. }, Do Rabbits Play Dead? Rabbits can quickly adapt to many olfactory offenses and youhave tokeep up. . Additionally, people attest to crushing fresh garlic cloves and placing them over the desired perimeter. But it is worth a try. So if your dog pees anywhere in your yard, rabbits will smell it! My only concern would be how strong incense can be as it not only releases an intense smell but also smoke into the air. Ahh yes. Valerian root has been studied, along with silvervine and honeysuckle, as a catnip alternative and does seem to appeal to cats who don't care for the more commonly-used . Instead, they usually opt to nibble on the green tops, which still ruins the crop just the same. It may be better to use something else from the same family that has more pungency, like lavender. Its healthy for the plants, but repels wild rabbits. Aside from aiding in indigestion, it can also reduce stress. She grew up with cats and rabbits, and knew from a young age that she wanted to help animals in whatever way she could. This is because of the phenol carbolic acid contained in vinegar; rabbits cant stand the smell of it. Ive even seen that raw eggs, garlic liquid and water mixed together and sprayed on the soil to absolutely repels rabbits. Keeping your rabbit inside Rabbits can live quite happily indoors and they should be provided with secure accommodation where they can feel safe, sleep, use a particular area as a toilet, and be confined to when unsupervised. Rabbits grazing in your flower beds will simply eat around the less enticing plants. Is green grass good for rabbits? Can Rabbits Eat Rosemary? Benefits, Safety, Issues & Extra Preparation While this skill helps keep them aware of their surroundings, it also makes the membranes inside their nostrils incredibly sensitive and easily irritated. Youhave toapply it on a regular basis because the effects will wear off over time. A more flower-friendly option to spraying an artificial scent would be to plant a large crop of lavender next to your peonies. By accosting their refined sense of smell, there is a likelihood theyll stay away from your foliage and look somewhere else. This rabbit may refuse your affection and make stop eating altogether. Never feed your rabbits essential oils Contrary to what other people say, I suggest that you never attempt to feed your rabbits any essential oil. He has a passion for helping animals and sharing his experience and knowledge with others. While we mentioned before how rabbits are connoisseurs of almost every plant and flower, there are a few flowers that rabbits turn their noses up at, for whatever reason. While predator scents will scare them away (well go over that in a moment), most other odors will annoy them away more than scare them. Whilst typically not being as affectionate as cats or dogs, rabbits do form bonds with their owners, and there are several tell-tale signs to look out for. Use essential oils of any aromatic herbs mentioned, such as rosemary, mint, peppermint, lemon balm, etc. Yes. If this happens, fill a spray bottle with lemon and vinegar and spray it on the metal to deter them from licking/chewing this area. It may take a little while to convince the rabbits to look elsewhere for their dinner. Make sure whatever scent you are applying is a strong odor, and if you are using a spray bottle, make sure you are spraying the soil around the plants, not the air! A quick note on using scents to repel rabbits. . If you walked into a restaurant looking for a buffet meal, but the entire establishment smelled strongly of rotting eggs, you most likely wouldnt want to eat there, correct? Even though rabbits have a strong sense of smell, lemon may not actually repel them. Rabbits serve a delicate purpose in the natural order of things. It will also help to keep their fur coat looking lustrous and silky. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. ry evening, right before rabbits eat, usually at dusk. While rabbits are cute when you spot one hopping through the woods or in someones backyard, theyre much less adorable when in your garden, eating the plants, flowers, and shrubs youve painstakingly grown from scratch. What Essential Oils Are Toxic To Rabbits? - Stellina Marfa Smells Rabbits Hate (That You Probably Own!) - Bunny Advice But if you still want to include these plants, there are also a few other tricks for making rabbits disappear from your garden. Also, some people report that rabbits will develop a taste for it and eat the plants regardless. Have you ever caught your beloved rabbit suddenly thumping its feet, leaving you curious and bewildered? Lemon Balm is a useful herb that can be added to your rabbits' diet every few days. While it may make your garden smell like a bag of salt and vinegar chips, itll keep the rabbits away! Considering one of the most popular candles and perfume scents is geranium, its clear humans do not feel the same way. in addition to smell, rabbits run at the onset of loud sounds. Here are some common plants and flowers that repel rabbits, almost guaranteeing youll have one less pest to deal with this year. A rabbit may also enjoy the odor of her kits and even her own waste. Effects of coyote control on their prey: a review. Marie's garden writing has been featured in newspapers and magazines nationwide and she has been interviewed for Martha Stewart Radio, National Public Radio, and numerous articles. Skunks are known for being stinky and stripped. People who have trouble with wild, nuisance rabbits use the following scents to keep them away. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The noise a dog makes will be the other significant indicator to a rabbit that another animal now lives in your yard. OK maybe not. Other scents like mint or lavender may not be enjoyed however. P.S. Bone meal makes a great fertilizer with an NPK ratio of 3.5-17-0. Using peppermint to keep rabbits away depends on whether you want to use essential oil or the plant. We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. I grew up in an area of Upstate, NY where dealing with wildlife pests is a common occurrence. Besides repulsive smells, rabbits are also scared and deterred by sounds they find displeasing to their long ears. Naturally, scents need to be reapplied periodically in order to repel our furry friends, especially after heavy rainfall. Its formulated with a base mix of putrescent whole egg solids, capsaicin, and garlic, which are actually three of the individual scents we talk about on this list! Screw on the lid, shake well, and spray onto your plants. Although, some ownersdo feed it to their pet rabbits without issue. Vinegar doesnt stain or damage your home and provide excellent signals for restricted areas. So, what can be done to keep these cute little flower eaters at bay? So if you live in the Southeast or Southwest, coyote urine may be an excellent go-to for scaring rabbits away. In Proceedings of the 2nd Vertebrate Pest Control Conference (1964) (p. 15). Alternatively, you may like to try some of the ideas weve talked about here. Darren is the founder and editor at Bunny Advice and has been caring for rabbits for over a decade. Also, take the strained pepper flakes and sprinkle them around your plants. Common ingredients that rabbits hate the smell of include garlic, white vinegar, chili peppers, rotten eggs (sulfur), and certain strong perfumes. You can benefit from this by using orange or lemon peels in your garden to keep cats out or spritzing citrus scents on indoor fabrics. Julie Thompson-Adolf is a Master Gardener and author. Its truly a subjective opinion, but I would say that rabbits hate predator urine the most because of the alarming, alerting and intense fear a perceived threat brings upon these cute creatures who are very vulnerable. 7, no. Nevertheless, their urine can have a sharp ammonia odor to it. Williams, S. C., & Short, M. R. (2014). Outside in the garden/yard, you may wish to combine it with chili powder or garlic. How Long Does It Take For Rabbits To Learn Their Name? Rabbits, squirrels, chipmunks, deer, and other creatures will eventually avoid it. In this article, we will look at smells rabbits like, are repelled by, and which ones cause them stress, but lets first address the question, What smells do rabbits hate?: First of all, rabbits have a sensitive sense of smell where certain aromas that we find tolerable or appealing causes them to be repelled, repulsed or even stressed. You havea number ofoptions for using garlic as a rabbit repellant. Manage Settings A rabbit that is stuck in an enclosure will either play dead or remain motionless. Makes you want a spicy bowl of chili right now, yes? There are numerous rabbit repellent products on the market and in our opinion (which is perhaps a little biased) it is far better to use something that will gently turn them away. Rabbits have 100 million scent cells, making for a very keen sense of smell, which they use to identify other rabbits and animals. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. It might be in the middle of your morning coffee, or it might be in the middle of the night, but you have had this, Read More 12 Ways To Get Crows To Shut Up And Stop CawingContinue, Raccoons are amazing and fascinating creatures, but that does not mean that most people want them in their yard, garden, or home. Trapping them may create more problems than it solves. If you notice evidence of rabbits decimating your flowerbed, garden, or small farming operation, there are several non-lethal means you can try. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful home and garden ever. It is hard to tell when a rabbit is making subtle responses to pungent aromas that you may not have thought were actually repellents. If using corn cobs, periodically re-soak them in vinegar because the smell will fade over time. While rabbits may not enjoy the smell or taste, dogs love it! If your rabbit does like sage, it will provide them with many great vitamins and minerals. Some people are fine setting traps because they enjoy a good rabbit stew. A rabbit's excellent sense of smell can be a negative and positive. Safer Brand Critter Ridder: Deer and Rabbit Repellent. Depending on your repellent, you may have to rinse the area off every da. What smells do rabbits hate? If you are looking at using this home remedy, simply dilute some white rice vinegar in a spray bottle of water, and spray it liberally in the area surrounding your plants. Yes. If you are interested in how to deter rabbits, there are ways to control them from overrunning your garden. Bone meal comprises processed bones made into a fine powder. Well, mainly because rabbits have an extremely sharp sense of smell, like many wild animals, and are easily deterred by seemingly unpleasant smells and tastes. Its completely safe around children and household pets too. Some methods listed above, like vinegar and garlic, are toxic to rabbits. and other similar details will be the first step in deterring them from your plants. How to Take Your House Rabbit Outside Safely {How Cold Is Too Cold For Rabbits?}? Do rabbits hate the smell of peppermint? You could get creative and resourceful with this. Many people think that there is no way to plant a garden without attracting deer. Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form. Consider adding plants with a strong scenta rabbits sense of smell is much stronger than a humans. Rosemary is one of the safest herbs that we can feed rabbits. Yes, red pepper flakes will keep rabbits away from your flowers and produce. 12 Plants That Keep Rabbits Out Of Your Garden - This Old House Do Coffee Grounds Keep Rabbits Away? (How to Effectively Use them) It has long been used in its dry form to repel rabbits from gardens. This can then be used along the borders. Not just for vampires, garlic also has a strong smell that rabbits find unpleasant. You can tell when rabbits, not deer, have been chewing on your plants because rabbits make clean, 45-degree cuts in young stems and can reach only approximately 3 feet high.