sherwindu said:


Rabbits have been attacking my young fruit trees and flower bed. Despite
having fencing around the plants, they manage to get in and chew things up.
Is there any way to get rid of them, short of shooting (my suburb doesn't allow
it). Can't keep dogs for other reasons, plus they can't be outside in all kinds of
bad weather.

1) A repellent that contains the ingredient BITREX will stop rabbits and deer
from chewing on plants. This can only be used on ornamental plants or trees
and shrubs that are not in fruit. (And don't get it on your hands. It isn't toxic
but is EXTREMELY bitter.) The stinky repellents are not as effective if the
varmints have already made a habit of feeding on your plants but will work
fairly well if used diligently after installing bedding plants or from the time
seedlings or perennials sprout out.

2) Rabbits can belive-trapped using cut up apples as bait. Having caught at
least one rabbit makes the trap more effective. Be sure the trap is on a hair
trigger as bunnies are rather light-footed. (No pun intended there!) Also
be sure the trap is cleaned of any manufacturing oils (if new).

3) Improve your fencing where you can. 1" hex netting ("chicken wire")
applied to the bottom of a fence with larger openings up to a height of
12" will stop most rabbits. Reinforce the bottom of the fence by burying
a short distance of hex net or running patio blocks along the outside edge
(makes a nice mowing strip).

4) Wrap the trunks of young fruit trees to protect them not only from rabbits
and voles but also from sunscald. Or box them in with hardware cloth.

--
Pat in Plymouth MI ('someplace.net' is comcast)

Any technology distinguishable from magic is insufficiently advanced.
(attributed to Don Marti)