The EPIC Blog

How to Get Rid of Rabbits in Your Yard and Garden

Rabbits are one of the most common—and frustrating—garden pests homeowners face. They can wipe out seedlings, chew bark off shrubs, hollow out vegetable beds, and return night after night unless you intervene. If you're looking for clear, effective ways to get rid of rabbits, you’re in the right place.

This is your EPIC resource for understanding rabbit behavior, diagnosing damage, and choosing the best methods to protect your plants. Below, you’ll find quick solutions you can use today, followed by deeper guides and series that expand on every technique. Be sure to visit again in the future as we are always adding posts with tips, tricks, insights, and more.

Quick Start: The Fastest Ways to Stop Rabbit Damage

If you’re dealing with active damage right now, start with the methods below. They offer the best combination of speed, reliability, and practicality for homeowners:

1. Exclusion (Fencing)

A properly installed barrier is the most reliable way to stop rabbits. Even a small fence, when built correctly, can provide full-season protection.

2. Repellents

Scent-based and taste-based repellents can protect ornamentals, new plantings, bulbs, shrubs, and vegetable beds. They work best when applied early and consistently.

3. Habitat Modification

Reduce hiding places like heavy groundcovers, brush piles, or cluttered shed areas to make your yard less appealing.

Identify Your Rabbit Problem

Before choosing a control strategy, make sure you're actually dealing with rabbits. Many homeowners confuse rabbit damage with deer, voles, or groundhogs. Look for:

Clean 45° cuts on stems and shoots
Feeding damage close to the ground (rabbits rarely feed above 24")
Pea-sized round droppings on garden paths or near beds
Tracks with long hind feet and paired front prints

Correct identification is the foundation for correct treatment.

Rabbit Control Methods

Every yard is different. The challenges you face will be unique depending on a variety of factors, but a combination of these rabbit control methods adapted to your region, challenges, yard size, and more will help you say adiós, rabbits!

Exclusion & Barriers
Learn the exact fence height, mesh size, and buried depth required to keep rabbits out—plus temporary and permanent barrier options.

Repellents
Understand when repellents work best, how long they last, and which types are most effective for different seasons.

Rabbit-Resistant Plants
Some plants are naturally unappealing to rabbits due to taste, texture, or chemical compounds. Use our upcoming lists to design smarter beds.

Habitat Management
Adjusting the environment can dramatically reduce rabbit pressure, especially around high-value areas.

Trapping & Removal (Where Legal)
Humane, regulation-compliant approaches for homeowners who need an additional layer of control.

Seasonal Rabbit Control

Rabbit behavior changes throughout the year. Our seasonal guides help you adjust your strategy so your plants stay protected no matter the month.

Fall: Prevent digging and bulb predation
Winter: Stop bark stripping and shrub girdling
Spring: Protect seedlings and emerging perennials
Summer: Manage drought-driven feeding

Regional Rabbit Challenges

Different parts of the country face different species and pressure levels. Climate, predators, and vegetation all play a role in how severe rabbit problems become. Let’s break down strategies by region, such as:

Northeast gardens with deep winter snowpack
Southern landscapes with year-round feeding
Midwest yards with heavy cottontail populations
Western properties dealing with jackrabbits

Rabbit Control FAQs

How do I permanently get rid of rabbits?
A layered approach — fencing + repellents + habitat modification — works best.

Do rabbit repellents really work?
Yes, when applied correctly and consistently, especially early in the season.

What plants do rabbits avoid?
Herbs, aromatic perennials, certain shrubs, and textured foliage are often naturally avoided.

Are rabbit repellents safe around pets?
Most homeowner-grade repellents are pet-safe when used as directed.

How can I stop rabbits without putting up a fence?
Repellents, plant selection, and yard cleanup can significantly reduce damage.

How to Get Rid of Rabbits Naturally: 8 Proven Methods That Actually Work

Tired of rabbits eating your garden? Learn 8 proven, humane ways to get rid of rabbits naturally using fencing, repellents, and smart yard strategies that actually work.