You get rid of rabbits by fencing them out, removing cover, and trapping only where legal. Rabbits return to the same food and shelter, so the durable fix is exclusion plus habitat changes. Here is the step-by-step approach that actually works.
- Fencing is the most reliable rabbit control.
- Remove food and cover so rabbits have no reason to stay.
- Trapping rules vary by state, since rabbits may be a game species.
- Repellents help but are a supplement, not the fix.
Step 1: Identify the Damage
Rabbits chew plants at a clean 45-degree angle and leave round pellet droppings. If you see clean cuts and pellets, it is rabbits rather than deer or insects. Confirm the culprit before treating.
Step 2: Put Up a Fence
Fencing is the most reliable rabbit control. Use a wire mesh fence with small openings, buried several inches deep and tall enough that rabbits cannot hop over.
Bury the fence. Rabbits dig, so bury the bottom of the fence or bend it outward at ground level.
Use small mesh. The openings must be small enough that young rabbits cannot squeeze through.
Step 3: Remove Food and Cover
Rabbits are drawn by food and hiding places. Remove brush piles, tall grass, and low ground cover near the garden. Protect young plants with individual plant guards. The DIY vs. pro quiz tells you in five questions whether this one is a job for you or for a licensed pro.
Remove fallen fruit and vegetables. Clean up what rabbits would eat.
Step 4: Try Repellents
Repellents with a strong scent or taste can discourage rabbits from a specific area. They are a supplement to fencing, not a replacement, and they need reapplication after rain.
Reapply consistently. Repellents fade and wash off, so consistency is what makes them work.
Step 5: Trapping, Where Legal
Rabbits are a game species in most of the South, which means trapping and relocating them may need a permit, may be limited to a season, and in several states may not be allowed at all. In North Carolina, South Carolina and Florida the answer comes from the NC Wildlife Resources Commission, SCDNR or FWC respectively. Check with your state wildlife agency before trapping.
Never relocate wildlife without checking the law. Relocating a rabbit can be illegal and can spread disease.
When to Call a Professional
If rabbits are causing persistent damage and fencing is not practical, a wildlife removal professional can assess the situation and handle the animals within the law.
Frequently Asked Questions
Fence them out, remove food and cover, and use repellents. Trapping is only an option where state law allows it.
A buried wire mesh fence is the most reliable. Removing brush piles and tall grass also helps, since rabbits need cover.
They discourage rabbits from a specific area when applied consistently, but they are a supplement to fencing, not the fix.
Rabbits are a game species across the South, so trapping and relocating may need a permit, may be limited to a season, or may not be allowed at all. Your state agency gives the answer for where you live. Check with your state wildlife agency.
Food and cover attract them. Remove brush piles, tall grass, and fallen produce to make the yard less inviting.
