Winter feeding damage by rabbits

Rabbits and Rabbit proof plants

By Howard Drury

Rabbits feed on a wide range of plants, including vegetables and ornamental plants. These are often grazed close to the ground and growth can be severely stunted. They dig small holes in lawns and flower beds, giving the garden an untidy appearance. Rabbits will also gnaw bark from young trees and shrubs, and if the trunk is completely girdled in this way, the plant will die. Gnawed trunks should be wrapped in a black polythene bandage to encourage the damaged area to callus over; bridge grafting will be necessary if the trunk has been severely damaged.

Rabbits typically live together in colonies known as warrens, and these consist of a series of interconnecting burrows. Warrens are found mainly in embankments, hedgerows and in areas with a dense shrub cover. Isolated burrows also occur, and some rabbits spend all their lives above ground.

Under ideal conditions, rabbits are prolific breeders. The main breeding season is between January and July, but liners can be produced throughout the year. The young are born in nests constructed in special short tunnels known as stops. The nests are made of dry grass and fur from the mother's body. The gestation period lasts 28-30 days, and an average liner contains 3-6 young. Females often become pregnant again just one day after giving birth, and they may produce 2-5 litters a year. The young are born blind and naked, but after about 3-4 weeks they are capable of leaving the nest and finding their own food. They are ready to start breeding when about 4 months old.

Control and prevention

Various natural enemies, such as foxes, stoats, cats, badgers and some of the larger birds of prey, kill and eat rabbits, but they are unlikely to have any appreciable effect on rabbit populations in gardens. Control has been attempted by introducing a virus which causes epidemics of myxomatosis disease, but this has failed to give adequate long-term control of rabbits. After the first introductions of the disease in 1953 there was high mortality in wild rabbit populations in Britain, but less virulent strains of the virus have developed and rabbits are now less susceptible to the disease.

Rabbit control

Rabbits can be killed by shooting or gassing, but this is generally impracticable in gardens and is in any case best carried out by professionals. The same applies to traps and snares to some extent, but they may be used by amateurs providing the relevant legal requirements are observed. It is illegal to set spring traps in the open, and they must therefore be placed within the mouth of rabbit burrows. Traps and snares are a hazard to domestic animals, and they should not be used if cats or dogs are likely to have access to them.

There are several types of humane trap, and these may be obtained from some gun shops and horticultural sundries men or by going online. Traps and snares should be set carefully and examined regularly every day, preferably in the early morning and at dusk.

Fencing

Rabbits usually enter gardens from adjoining common land, farms or woods. Where this is the case, the erection of rabbit-proof fences and gates could be considered. Fences should 2.5 cm (1-1 'A in) wire mesh and 120-140 cm (48-54in) in height. The bottom 30 cm (in) is sunk below ground level, with the lower 15 cm (6in) bent outwards to stop rabbits tunnelling underneath. Gates to the garden must also be rabbit-proof and kept closed when not in use.

An electric fence designed to keep out rabbits may be practicable in some gardens. Where complete fencing is impracticable, it may be possible to protect venerable areas, such as kitchen gardens, or particularly susceptible plants, such as lilies, by putting less elaborate wire-netting barriers around them. Plastic tree guards can be used to protect the trunks of young trees and shrubs.

Repellents

Various substances can be used to keep rabbits away from plants. Rags tied on sticks and soaked in a commercial preparation, such as Armillatox (if you live outside the EU) can be placed around flower beds or near vulnerable groups of plants. A repellent suitable for spraying on plants is Vitax 'Stay-Off'. Repellents seldom give complete protection, particularly during wet seasons or when plants are making active growth.

Rabbit-proof Plants

In areas where rabbits are particularly troublesome, it is advisable to grow plants which are relatively resistant. The following lists indicate plants that are less attractive to rabbits, possibly because of taste, texture of leaves, prickliness, etc. There is no absolute guarantee that any of these plants will remain free from damage in all conditions. Recent plantings and soft growth in the spring can sometimes be eaten, even if the plants are not susceptible at other times. Suggestions from gardeners with a rabbit problem regarding additions to or deletions from these lists would be most welcome.