Rabbits are adorable animals but can quickly become a menace in your garden, devouring vegetables, flowers, and even tender shrubs. These cute creatures are relentless and have voracious appetites, so it is best to keep them at bay for your garden’s sake.
But how? That’s a good question. There are many ways to get rid of rabbits, including repellent sprays. You can make a potent rabbit-repellent spray using simple, cost-effective everyday ingredients.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through making an effective rabbit-repellent spray.
How To Make A Rabbit Repellent Spray
Garlic and Red Pepper Rabbit Repellent Spray
A garlic and pepper spray is one of the most effective homemade sprays to repel rabbits. The ingredients work against the rabbits’ sensitive sense of smell and taste to keep them away from your plants.
For instance, garlic has a strong, pungent odor that lingers for a long time. In addition, its bitter taste further deters rabbits from feeding on your plants.
As for red pepper, its spiciness will make your plants unpalatable to rabbits. If a rabbit nibbles on a plant sprayed with red peppers, it will irritate its nose and mouth, thus discouraging it from destroying your garden more.
Combining red peppers and garlic creates a potent, multi-sensory rabbit deterrent.
Now that we’ve uncovered how this rabbit repellent works let’s prepare it.
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Step-By-Step Making For Making Garlic and Red Pepper Rabbit Repellent
Requirements
- 5 garlic cloves
- Crushed red peppers- 1 teaspoon
- Dish soap- 1 tablespoon
- Water- 1 gallon
- An empty clean jar
Instructions
- Fill water in an empty jar.
- Crush the garlic cloves and put them in the water, followed by the crushed red peppers and dish soap.
- Shake the mixture well.
- Let the mixture sit in sunlight for 1-2 days to let the water saturate with the garlic and red pepper flavors and smells.
- Shake the mixture well before use.
- Pour or spray the garlic and red pepper on the plants you want to protect from rabbits.
Note
Reapply the repellent weekly for a few weeks until the rabbits are convinced that your plants are unpalatable for them. Moreover, reapply the repellent after rain or heavy watering to maintain effectiveness.
This rabbit repellent is safe for plants and the environment because it is not made using harsh chemicals.
Is consuming vegetables and fruits sprayed with garlic and red pepper spray safe? Yes, but wash them thoroughly before eating to get rid of any residue.
Apply this repellent when rabbits are most active; this is typically at dusk or dawn.
Other Rabbit Repellent Sprays
Besides garlic and red pepper repellent, below are other sprays you can use to deter rabbits.
a) Vinegar Spray
Harness vinegar’s powerful odor to repel rabbits from your plants.
Ingredients
- You only need a spray bottle, vinegar, and water for this recipe.
Directions
- Mix equal ratios of vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Consider adding dish soap to help the spray stick to surfaces correctly.
- Spray the solution around vulnerable areas, such as at the edges of your garden beds, fences, and walkways.
- Reapply the spray as needed, especially after watering or rainfall.
b) Vinegar and Hot Sauce Spray
Prepare vinegar and hot sauce spray for a more potent version of vinegar spray.
Ingredients
- White vinegar- ½ a gallon
- A strong hot sauce such as Tabasco or Sriracha- ½ a gallon
- Liquid dish soap- ¼ cup
- Water (½ a gallon) to dilute the mixture slightly to prevent plant damage
- Cayenne pepper powder- ½ a pound
Directions
- Combine the white vinegar, hot sauce, cayenne pepper, and water in a large bowl or container.
- Stir the mixture to ensure all the ingredients blend evenly.
- Add dish soap to the mixture.
- Pour the white vinegar, water, cayenne pepper, hot sauce, and dish soap mixture into a clean spray bottle.
- Shake the mixture well and apply it strategically around your garden. Suitable areas include garden beds, fences, and entry points.
Note
Consider adding garlic powder to this recipe for an extra kick of repelling power.
c) Citrus and Water Spray
The effectiveness of this approach lies in the citrus juices’ strong scent and natural acidity. Below is how to prepare this rabbit-repellent spray.
Ingredients
- Water
- Citrus juice. Lemon, orange, or lime juice will do.
- A teaspoon of liquid soap. This is optional but will make the spray stick better on the leaves.
Directions
- Mix equal parts citrus juice and water.
- Apply the solution generously on your plants and in areas of the garden you wish to protect from rabbits.
- Reapply frequently, especially after rainfall.
d) Egg and Milk Spray
The idea behind this recipe is that rabbits are herbivores; hence, animal proteins are unpleasant to them.
Ingredients
- Milk- a cup
- 1 raw egg
- Water- ½ a gallon
Directions
- Whisk the egg, water, and milk until smooth.
- Transfer the mixture into a clean spray bottle and shake well.
- Apply the repellent to your plants.
Note
Consider leaving the mixture at room temperature for 24 to 48 hours to allow it to develop a more potent smell which in turn makes it more powerful.
Depending on the weather, this spray can last up to 14 days before requiring reapplication.
e) Egg and Garlic Spray
This option offers a longer-lasting deterrence against rabbits.
Ingredients
- A raw egg
- 2 garlic cloves or garlic powder (1 tablespoon)
- Water- 2 cups
- Liquid dish soap- 1 teaspoon
Directions
- Beat and whisk the raw egg in a bowl.
- Crush the garlic cloves. Alternatively, use garlic powder
- Put the garlic in a bowl with water and blend the mixture well.
- Sieve the mixture to remove garlic pieces.
- Add a teaspoon of dish soap.
- Transfer the strained mixture to a spray bottle.
- Shake the mixture well and apply it to your plants.
Final Remarks
There you have it. Rabbits should no longer be a menace in your garden with the above homemade repellent sprays in your arsenal. The garlic and hot pepper repellent spray is my go-to solution, but the other options in this guide are also effective. You should also fortify your defence against rabbits with physical barriers, choosing rabbit-resistant plants, setting up decoys, and utilizing predator urine.
Hey there, I’m Derek Schew, a writer for Lawnholic.com, where we cover everything and anything related to lawns. As someone who’s spent countless hours tending to my own lawn, I’m passionate about sharing my knowledge and helping others achieve the perfect yard. From lawn care tips to product reviews, I’m committed to providing our readers with the most accurate and up-to-date information available. So whether you’re a seasoned lawn enthusiast or just getting started, I invite you to join our community and discover the joys of a lush, green lawn.