adminHomeowners have gone to great lengths to rid their yards of pesky rabbits, using commercial and homemade methods and
devices ranging from Ultrasonic underground stakes, motion detecting sprinklers, human hair, and even fox urine. But there are types of homemade rabbit repellents that work wonders and are much easier, faster, cheaper, and more humane than some others for the best rabbit control.
The best rabbit control sprays have only one key ingredient: eggs. Because rabbits are herbivores, they instinctively avoid anything with the smell of egg on it, and they won’t touch leaves that have been sprayed with it. To make it at home, the quickest way is to crack one egg into about one gallon of water and splash it onto any plants that the rabbits have been eating or digging around. The mixture should be reapplied after rain, sprinkling, or after new growth appears. If sprayed onto food plants, any food should be washed thoroughly before eating. The mixture should also be sprayed around holes and areas where the rabbits may be entering the yard, or sheltering or burrowing.
There are several variations to the egg and water recipe, and homeowners should experiment to find the one that works best for their unique situations. Some research has suggested that the homemade rabbit repellents that work best, are the ones that contain putrefied egg solid. To achieve this, one can cook the egg before mixing in the water. Eggs can be quickly cooked in a microwave safe mug sprayed with a nonstick spray or oil. After being mixed with the water, the egg should be left out for about twenty-four hours so that is starts to putrefy. This stronger smelling mixture will keep rabbits, and even deer, from eating the leaves on which it is sprayed.
Gardeners have tried a variety of variations to this recipe to find the ones that work best. For example, adding an ingredient like rosemary oil or vegetable oil can help it stick to the leaves. An addition of hot and spicy ingredients, like chili powder, garlic powder, or cinnamon, will provide an additional deterrent for the hungry animals. Besides oil, some recipes use dish soap as the agent to help the mixture adhere to the leaves of the plants. Sprinkling the spicy tastes directly onto the plants will also work. Finally vigilance is needed. The rabbit deterrent must be reapplied regularly in order for it to work.
The best rabbit control will start with this spray, but other methods can be tried in combination. These include bitter tasting sprays found in pet stores, sprayed onto wood and plants (but not food plants) that the rabbits have eaten, using scare tactics such as motion detecting sprinklers, pet dogs, and decoy owls and snakes, and finally, trimming overgrowth around any holes and other places around your property where rabbits may be making their homes.
While they are cute little animals, most gardeners do not welcome them, and using these solutions will provide the best rabbit control in a humane and effective way.
