Lawn Damage & Rabbits

Rabbit Damage

• Rabbits can cause considerable damage to a lawn, rendering the grass and other plants unsightly. Once rabbits become comfortable in a location, they will return year after year. According to United Wildlife Control, lawn damage by rabbits can cause property value to decrease anywhere from 5 to 10 percent. A property owner may be required by law to fix any rabbit problems before selling a home.

Rabbit Prevention

• The best way to prevent rabbit damage to a lawn is to keep the rabbits out. One method is to install a chicken wire fence around the perimeter of a lawn. The closer together the stakes are, the more support the fence will have. An electric fence is a more advanced option for rabbit prevention. This type of fencing contains insulated posts that send timed pulses of low-voltage electricity. The electricity will not harm the rabbits, but will discourage them from invading a lawn. If fencing is not possible, other tactics include clearing out wood or brush piles, and cutting tall grass to force rabbits to relocate.

Rabbit Solutions

• If rabbit problems persist, and installing a fence or cleaning out brush doesn't do the trick, it may be time to try more artificial methods. Try a chemical rabbit repellents to scare off the animals without harming them or the environment. Spray the repellent on your lawn or garden, where the formula's scent is designed to ward off rabbits.

Rabbit Removal

• A final resort to prevent rabbits from damaging a lawn may be to contact a local wildlife control professional. Some wildlife professionals specialize in rabbit trapping, removal and prevention. Depending on state and county laws, a wildlife organization uses various types of traps to either relocate or humanely euthanize rabbits. Trapping methods may involve kill traps and live rabbit traps.