They are not common in most gardens, but rabbits hate it. You may not know it, but some of the smells that are coming from your kitchen are making your rabbit quite stressed in the living room. Oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruits fit the bill, albeit a little acidic. Rabbits from yards away can quickly scent the sharp odor emanating from chives, similar to the pungent smell of garlic. Still, they are another beautiful plant that rabbits simply turn their noses up at! Required fields are marked *. Grass. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Do rabbits like the smell of peppermint? This site is owned and operated by Darren Hayward. The bunny was an indoor pet that could not handle outdoor temperatures. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Other plants that rabbits hate include: Rabbits leave these plants alone in the wild. While the amount of cyanide contained in fruit seeds and pits is generally scant, it is best to avoid feeding them to rabbits altogether. Using these scents to your advantage can help to deter wild rabbits or to keep your pet out of particular parts of your house or garden. Make sure the smell will be strong enough to repel rabbits. Why does this work? By submitting your email, you agree to our, These Plants Will Keep Rabbits Out Of Your Garden, 5 Easy Ways to Remove Scratches from a Glass Window, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. How do coffee grounds keep rabbits away? You can avoid these odors if you wish for your pet to be comfortable and relaxed in your home. in addition to smell, rabbits run at the onset of loud sounds. Notify me via e-mail if anyone answers my comment. If you soak a cotton ball with vinegar and place it in areas that you do not wish your rabbit to explore, they will stay away. Even though rabbits have a strong sense of smell, lemon may not actually repel them. This site is owned and operated by Pest Pointers LLC | pestpointers.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Now that we know what to do, your next question may be: why is this method so effective? Rabbits, if hungry enough, will disregard any offenses to their sense of smell and eat your plants, flowers, veggies and fruits anyway. Top 7 Smells Cats Hate: 1. While humans may enjoy the calming scent of lavender, rabbits despise lavender due to the strong scent and bitter irritation it provides to them. Evaluation of eight repellents in deterring eastern cottontail herbivory in Connecticut. link to Thump, Thump! Basically, chili powder has an active ingredient called capsaicin that does all the irritating we mentioned. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'bunnyadvice_com-leader-1','ezslot_5',633,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-bunnyadvice_com-leader-1-0'); Similarly, when keratin breaks down an amino acid known as cysteine is produced which is also packed full of sulfur atoms. Rabbits enjoy the odor of vanilla because it is sweet. 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.. Remove from heat and allow it to cool to room temperature. The nasal membrane is very sensitive to perfumes, chemicals and dust, and these agents can cause upper respiratory problems for the rabbit. Yuck! This is a great option if you have a variety of pests ravishing your garden. Its getting colder, and with it comes the irresistible need to cozy up at home maybe burn a scented candle or add a touch of essential oil in the air but is it safe for your buns? Image By: Obodai26 from Pixabay. Lemon Balm. 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. Were going to cover some of the most effective repellants here. While this skill helps keep them aware of their surroundings, it also makes the membranes inside their nostrils incredibly sensitive and easily irritated. Rabbits are cute little critters, but not when they eat and nip at the garden youve worked so hard on. Spray onto plants, repeating after rainfall. Rabbits dine out all year. 1, 2020. doi:10.1136/vetreco-2020-000402. Some people are fine setting traps because they enjoy a good rabbit stew. It works well for insects, rodents and even dogs. They are herbivores and can make a quick meal of your garden. They have 100 million scent cells with a nasal membrane sensitive to chemicals, dust, and perfumes. . Rabbits are great pets to have, especially when you have children. Generally, its best to go with pre-formulated products because youre getting an already tested product that others have used as well, rather than seeing if you got your mix or concentrations right. One way that we can achieve this is by using the rabbits strong sense of smell against it.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'bunnyadvice_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_10',628,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-bunnyadvice_com-medrectangle-4-0'); If like us the thought of causing harm to a rabbit makes you feel uneasy, using certain natural aromas to keep them away from specific areas is an excellent tactic. Trapping them may create more problems than it solves. However, do note that the scent of begonias is more likely to be pungent on sunny days, so you may not get as strong of rabbit repelling scent on those cloudy, overcast days. While rabbits are our passion and we are confident in our research any rabbit with a life-threatening issue or injury should be taken immediately to the nearest vet. It takes a long while for eggs to putrify and although rabbits will pick up on the pong a lot sooner than we will, tossing rotten eggs around the lawn may have the neighbors talking. Manage Settings Not all rabbits do it . They are also not crazy about anything with a bitter taste, prickles, thorns, fuzzy foliage, tough leathery leaves, or woody stems. Used in conjunction with some of the scents we mentioned above, you can essentially rabbit proof your yard for the long haul with ease. Positioning lavender near your affected plants is a win-win. Think of it this way. What Smells Do Rabbits Hate & How To Use Them! If you go the sulfur route, just make sure that if you have a dog, you are keeping them away from where you spread the sulfur- they will want to sniff and potentially dig in those areas! Rabbits, squirrels, chipmunks, deer, and other creatures will eventually avoid it. The reason why is because rabbits are sensitive to noises. Its going to depend on how bad the infestation is. Place these around the garden, and the vinegar scent will help to keep the rabbits at bay. It should be no surprise that plants with a strong fragrance or fuzzy leaves like lavender and black-eyed Susan are less popular with rabbits. }, Do Rabbits Play Dead? 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.). Also, take the strained pepper flakes and sprinkle them around your plants. Strain, and then add enough water to make a gallon of the mixture. We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site. Hey there, fellow rabbit enthusiasts! You can give lavender to your rabbit fresh or even dried, allowing your rabbit to forage for the yummy pieces of lavender. Also, some people report that rabbits will develop a taste for it and eat the plants regardless. Yes, red pepper flakes will keep rabbits away from your flowers and produce. Dr. Elly Cameron is a veterinarian who has always loved animals. There are many smells that rabbits hate. BunnyAdvice.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Again, the strong scent of sulfer here is the key. Essential Oil concentrates that are known to be Pet Poisons include: Cinnamon, Citrus (d-limonene), Clove, Eucalyptus, Pennyroyal. Take care in using moist grounds to avoid creating an additional bug problem for your plants. Secondly, I would have to say that rabbits hate the smell of sulfur. However, there are a few occasions where a little extra work might be necessary. and other creatures will eventually avoid it. Most cats are bothered by citrus smells, such as lemon, lime, orange, and grapefruit. Simply spray a little on the areas you want to protect. Strain out the oil, put it in a spray bottle, and top it off with warm water. Basically, this is how they scent out potential predators. You could plant some bulbs around the garden too. You can use both blood and bone meal if it will be beneficial to your plants. If you want to try peppermint to rid rabbits from your garden, douse a few cotton balls with peppermint essential oil. You will have to create an application schedule for any olfactory offensivemeasureand this may become tedious. - Health Risks and Issues; Dr Elly. Garden plants that will repel deer and rabbits - The Denver Post Consider adding plants with a strong scent a rabbit's sense of smell is much . So, when you have finished with your coffee grounds, dont throw them on the compost heap; try sprinkling them around your garden for protection instead. While rabbits may not enjoy the smell or taste, dogs love it! Like sulfur, be sure to keep dogs away from the area youve spread blood meal around. In fact, there has been some suggestion that coffee is such a welcoming and enticing aroma that it might swing potential home buyers into investing in a property, should they catch a whiff as they walk in. Nevertheless, their urine can have a sharp ammonia odor to it. If youre interested in taking a look at a quality blood meal product for your plants, take a look at Burpee Organic Blood Meal Fertilizer, which Is ideal for leafy garden vegetables! Continue with Recommended Cookies. y so as not to harm plants or other animals; or to deter predators from your property. Some people are fine setting traps because they enjoy a good rabbit stew. In Vegetables. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Rabbits are cute little critters, but not when they eat and nip at the garden youve. Sometimes smells and sounds can be enough to trigger fear in a rabbit. Manage Settings 7. This site is run by Anna, Niklas and Jesper - three curious, caring and animal-loving people. Use vinegar instead. Smells Rabbits Hate (That You Probably Own!) - Bunny Advice Sprinkling chili flakes around the base of your peonies and other garden flowers are quick, easy, and effective. Lemon Balm is a useful herb that can be added to your rabbits' diet every few days. n the natural order of things. 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. Of course, a hungry rabbit will eat just about anything, but making your garden less tempting will hopefully have them scurrying to look for a tastier meal elsewhere. Back to repelling rabbits from your garden! Wolves are typically found in similar places as lynxes: cold, mountainous, or in a more northern area, particularly the Northwest parts of the United States or Canada. Is Vinegar Safe For Rabbits? - Ask My Rabbit Many people think that there is no way to plant a garden without attracting deer. Most people know, Read More 3 Unique Ways That Raccoons Can Damage Your TreesContinue, Bats are fascinating, often misunderstood creatures that are essential characters in our shared environment. Or, if your house pet piddles on the floor,sopsome of it up with a paper towel (with gloves on). Rabbit olfactory deterrents are not always reliable. This rabbit may refuse your affection and make stop eating altogether. In cats, the smell of valerian can be exciting, much like the more intense reactions they have to catnip. Strong scents - if something smells overpowering to you, imagine how it must smell to your rabbit. We want to provide you with all the information for your furry little pals! This can then be used along the borders. Rabbits like the flavor and the smell will be imperceptible. Deer can damage plants 6 feet high, and they tear plants when eating so that the stems and leaves are ragged, not cleanly cut like rabbit damage. The powerful concentration of scents that essential oils deliver make them a great deterrent to rabbits. Do Rabbits Eat Lavender? - Sweetish Hill Animals like coyotes, foxes, or even your house cat or dog will be effective deterrents. For most rabbits, as long as you regularly clean the litter box and cage, you won't have to worry about having a smelly house. The problem with predator urine is that it may attract more of that animal. Many farmers also swear by soaking corncobs in vinegar and placing them near the targeted areas, as the corncobs will make the scent last a bit longer. It comes with scent tags, so you can spray the tag itself and place it nearby your plants, where the smell itself will last a bit longer being infused with the tag. What Does It Mean When A Rabbit Raises Its Tail? Fireplace fumes ensure your house is well ventilated so carbon dioxide fumes are properly dispersed. 10 Scents That Cats Hate (And How to Use Them) - Pest Pointers No, rabbits themselves don't smell unless they have a serious medical issue. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Reapply this eve. Yes, urine from natural predators to rabbits will keep them away. If your chosen repellent is often removed or rinsed away, you may have to build or configure some sort of shelter to reduce the need to reapply the stinky deterrents. Possible Reasons Why a Seemingly Healthy Rabbit Can Suddenly Die. When a rabbit drinks apple cider vinegar, it will make them smell unappealing to. Sorry, a bit hungry while writing this. You can make spray oil by heating up 1/3 cup oil with cup chili flakes to around 300F. 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. Often those noises will help scare any potential rabbit invaders away. 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. The simplest way to make your garden less appetizing for these little critters is to avoid the varieties that they love the most. But,inform yourself before doing this because it might not be the best idea. 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. Get the latest This Old House news, trusted tips, tricks, and DIY Smarts projects from our expertsstraight to your inbox. Deer and rabbits often ignore strongly scented herbs such as basil, rosemary, and oregano. The powerful concentration of scents that essential oils deliver makes them a great deterrent to rabbits. Im currently drinking coffee and I dont think my rabbit wants to be anywhere near me. This is when rabbits feel danger or perceived threats and they will usually respond by running away from these loud sounds. Yet other gardeners report that rabbits get used to the taste or smell and eat your plants anyway. Why Does My Rabbit Lick Everything? 11 Things Your Bunny Loves to Taste! 10 Scents That Rabbits Hate (and How to Use Them) Most often than not, the answer is NO. When reading our posts please remember that every rabbit is different and as such we cannot comment on personal experiences. Make sure that you dont spray vinegar directly on your plants, as it can cause them to wilt. Not just for vampires, garlic also has a strong smell that rabbits find unpleasant. 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