Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Monica Louise on August 2, 2011 at 4:29am

Not sure where you are, but most village animal control offices (or possibly the Trailside Museum in River Forest) loan them out.  We borrowed one to get an opposum one time.

Permalink Reply by Len Krietz on August 2, 2011 at 4:43am

Losing battle.  If you have 1 rabbit you notice, odds are there are many more around and they have established in your neighborhood.  You can try the usual deterrents (pepper, coyote urine etc) but you will probably have limited success.  Best solution - predatory pets (our old tom cat used to LOVE rabbit and the neighborhood was sorry when he died.  He did a great job controlling them).  Saying all that I do have a live trap that you could borrow if you wish to but you might also trap other creatures in the process such as rats.

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on August 2, 2011 at 5:21am

I'd agree with Len on this.  It's very unlikely that there's only one rabbit.  We used to have a LOT of them - lived under our huge overgrown shrubs.  For several reasons, we decided to get rid of the shrubs - cut 'em down and had the stumps ground out.  Rabbits went away.  I wouldn't have done all that just to get rid of the rabbits, but it was a convenient bonus result.  I'm not advocating getting rid of all shrubs, just mentioning that this worked for us.  Now we've got more coyotes, so I'm seeing fewer rabbits even where their nests still exist.  Wish I could send you a coyote or two.

 

If you can borrow a dog or cat who is a good hunter, that could help.  I've tried the repellents (pepper spray, coyote urine, etc.), and they can help somewhat, but don't eliminate the problem.  One friend suggested gathering a lot of dog hair from a friend with a very furry dog or from a groomer and using that as a repellent around plants you want to protect.  Not sure if that would be any more effective than coyote urine, although it would smell less.

 

Have you considered fencing?  Found a few suggestions here, including things you can plant that rabbits don't like.  I've used this type of fencing around my raised bed, with good success.  Just go to the hardware store or garden center and ask for rabbit fence.  It's a substantial wire, with a grid more tightly spaced towards the bottom.  I've found it effective to protect my veggies, at least against rabbits.  This doesn't keep out squirrels, possums, or other things that climb, unless you put fencing over the top or electrify the fence.  I've just lived with a few losses to the climbers, because they don't take too much. 

 

Of course, I'm not going to put it around every garden bed, which is why I'm grateful to be rid of the shrubs.  We're replacing them with much airier plantings, so the rabbits won't find the same kind of substantial shelter they had before.  And where rabbits have eaten flowers and other ornamentals, I'm not replanting with the same stuff they ate, but looking for replacement species that aren't appetizing to rabbits.

Len Krietz said:

Losing battle.  If you have 1 rabbit you notice, odds are there are many more around and they have established in your neighborhood.  You can try the usual deterrents (pepper, coyote urine etc) but you will probably have limited success.  Best solution - predatory pets (our old tom cat used to LOVE rabbit and the neighborhood was sorry when he died.  He did a great job controlling them).  Saying all that I do have a live trap that you could borrow if you wish to but you might also trap other creatures in the process such as rats.

Permalink Reply by Duppie on August 2, 2011 at 2:05pm

All, thanks for your replies.

 

Len, I pm'ed you.

 

I am not to worried about rats and squirrels. I killed all of them by putting poison out. The rats were the target, the squirrels were collateral damage. But then again the squirrels were quite aggressive, due to my neighbor feeding them. They would walk up to me and "demand" food.

Permalink Reply by Duppie on August 3, 2011 at 2:08am

I'd be glad to send the little buggers to Little Village.

You want some ratty looking, one-legged pigeons too? We have plenty of them as well.

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on August 9, 2011 at 10:37am

Too funny.

Duppie said:

I'd be glad to send the little buggers to Little Village.

You want some ratty looking, one-legged pigeons too? We have plenty of them as well.

Permalink Reply by Len Krietz on August 12, 2011 at 2:00am

New crop of the cute pests and they have taken to cropping my hostas.  First time ever.

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Permalink Reply by Duppie on August 12, 2011 at 3:05am

Does that mean that your trap cage is no longer available?

 

I'd pm'ed you but had not heard back. I'd be interested in it using it for a while. I live in Andersonville.

Len Krietz said:

New crop of the cute pests and they have taken to cropping my hostas.  First time ever.

Permalink Reply by Len Krietz on August 12, 2011 at 9:51am

I messaged you with my cell #

Duppie said:

Does that mean that your trap cage is no longer available?

 

I'd pm'ed you but had not heard back. I'd be interested in it using it for a while. I live in Andersonville.

Len Krietz said:

New crop of the cute pests and they have taken to cropping my hostas.  First time ever.