Stop eating my tomatoes, Bunny Terrorists!

[loopy]

Anyone know any ideas for repelling bunny rabbits? They've been eating the vegetables in my grandma's garden, and she's at the point where she might just go outside and off 'em. :D Any essential oils or herbs I could use to ward off the furballs?

[Yvonne Belisle]

If you can get ferret poop and place it around the edges of the garden it may work.

[loopy]

I'm afraid there aren't any ferrets around me, and we're a ways from a zoo. Pet stores don't sell them, right?

[Yvonne Belisle]

It depends on where you live. In some states it's illegal to have them in others you can go to the pet shop and buy one.

[Methanespirit]

We have a bunch of pet cats here. No more gophers, mice, snakes, and other varments (such as rabbits). The only problem we have now and then is keeping the cats out of the fresh dirt of our garden. However, this situation is taken care of by placing many small sticks over the plants and over the cultivated areas. Doing this also helps to keep the moisture within the dirt, concidering the exposed sandy soil is not good for retaining water during the hot summer days.

[loopy]

Just so I'm clear-- you stick a bunch of tiny sticks up through the dirt all over the area you want the bunnies to stay out of? So that when they step it'll stick into their feet?

[Methanespirit]

Now, you may have a good idea about placing the sticks vertically in the dirt to keep out the rabbits! 'Never thought of that one. No, the sticks I'm referring to are to keep out the cats, which keeps out the rabbits. You only need to lay (or throw) them horizontally over the ground and plants so as to cover the garden area.

[loopy]

Ahhh..... So if you don't have a cat (my grandma doesn't) the deal is null?

[Yvonne Belisle]

I'm sure you know someone with a cat that will let you have the litter bags. You could put it in a few holes around the garden.

[Methanespirit]

Well, yes. But I can't conceive of living in a home without at least two cats! In fact we just had a couple of litters. Now, I believe there are nearly 14 cats around the ranch area. We have plenty of room for all of them. If you don't want cats or dogs to watch the garden, place some wire mesh or screen over the plants. The best is the one-quarter inch lattice openings which can be purchsed at any farm and ranch supply store. This will definitely keep them out, especially if the edges are burried in the dirt a few inches. Just laying the screen over the plants may not keep them out as they have been known to dig under any such deterrent if they see the green goodies on the inside. Another suggestion is to roll up some screen or wire mesh into a cylindar and place that over the plants. The cylinder should be at least 36" high.

[loopy]

MethaneSpirit-- thanks for the additional mesh suggestions. :)
Yvonne-- I have cats. :) Clean litter or used?