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Rabbits may be cute and cuddly, but they’re not the sort of animal you want freely invading your garden. They make great pets because they love to play and hide—but they also love nibbling on things. Those precious plants in your garden are a perfect lunch for many wild rabbits.
Personally, I have had many problems with rabbits in my yard over the years. However, I don’t want to harm them. That would be like trapping Thumper in Bambi, or Hazel in Watership Down, both bunnies from my childhood.
Let’s take a look at some of the best rabbit repellent products on the market which can keep those little bunnies away.
The Best 5 Rabbit Repellent Products
With so many rabbit repellent products available, it may seem the whole world hates rabbits. It can also be confusing trying to decide which is the best product for you. The following five repellents all use natural ingredients and are safe to use in your garden for you and your family.
Liquid Fence 112 1 Quart Ready-to-Use
If you don’t like the idea of mixing up your own solutions of bad smelling repellents, this product from Liquid Fence is supplied pre-mixed and ready for use.
This spray uses the same natural ingredients of putrescent egg solids and garlic as the Liquid Fence concentrate. No more taking a bite out of your rose bush first, the natural rabbit deterrent odors will keep them well away.
This repellent is said to be rain resistant and long lasting in the repelling of rabbits and deer. You can apply it with confidence at any time of the year and still expect the same results, regardless of the season.
Liquid Fence is so confident of the effectiveness that they offer a 100 percent money-back guarantee.
Liquid Fence products are safe to use on edible plants and won’t affect the taste or cause any harmful effects if ingested. For environmental concerns, it’s both eco-friendly and biodegradable, ensuring the safe use for your garden and household pets.
The “just spray” application makes it easy to use, although it is more suited to individual plant beds or bushes than to larger open areas.
Overall, this bottle of premixed solution with built-in spray is ideal for use in small gardens. The fine mist dries without any odor and is just as effective as the concentrate versions of Liquid Fence repellents.
Pros
Easier to apply, just spray and go, for a quick and effective solution.
Environmentally safe to use on plants and won’t harm edible crops.
Can be used to protect trees, landscaped ornamental gardens, vines and shrubs.
Rain resistant and long lasting. Works all year round.
Dries without bad odor and is biodegradable.
100 percent money-back guarantee.
Cons
Spray bottle is not designed to spray larger gardens.
Not cost effective to be used on open spaces.
Some spray bottles reportedly don’t work too well. Time-consuming and unpleasant to decant into another container.
Enviro Pro 11025 Rabbit Scram Repellent
Unlike the other spray-style products, this rabbit repellent from Enviro Pro comes in a granular form. Instead of spraying onto the leaves of the plants, you simply scatter a protective strip around your plants and beds. It can even be sprinkled over your lawn to stop rabbits from entering the garden.
The Rabbit Scram granules use organic ingredients to stop the rabbits with biology. The two main ingredients, dried blood and meat meal, have a smell for rabbits which is similar to their dead kin. Alerted to the danger, a genetic biological defense mechanism causes the rabbit to flee from potential predators.
As the brand name suggests, this product has been manufactured to be eco-friendly. With only natural ingredients, it is biodegradable and decomposes into organic nitrogen nutrients which are good for your soil. With no synthetic additives, it is safe to use with pets and doesn’t have a bad odor for humans.
Used regularly, Rabbit Scram repellent will create a barrier that rabbits won’t cross over to munch on your plants. The granular application remains effective and won’t wash away in the rain as many spray repellents do. Some customers have claimed that, after the initial application period, the granules can work for up to 45 days.
If you don’t like the idea of constantly spraying foul-smelling solutions on your plants, these granules offer an alternative repellent. For those of us who live in wetter climates, the granules can be ideal as they don’t wash away as easily as liquids.
Pros
Granular formula with no mixing or spraying required.
No direct contact with the plants, simply a barrier at the base of each plant.
More water resistant than traditional liquid sprays.
Long lasting, with regular application recommended every 45 days.
No unpleasant odor for humans when dry.
Breaks down into soil beneficial nitrogen nutrients.
No synthetic extras.
Cons
Water is said to make the granules more active but also increases the odor. Can be very unpleasant after heavy downpours.
The pail that carries the granules can be cumbersome and the lid is difficult to remove. Smaller 6-pound shaker bottles may be more suitable.
Doesn’t cover large areas–using recommended 18-inch strips, the granules quickly run out.
Can be expensive in the long run.
Liquid Fence Deer & Rabbit Repellent
Liquid Fence is one of the market leaders in the outdoor repellent market, with many products available. The company makes repellents for mosquitoes, dogs, cats, rats, and even snakes. For rabbits and deer, there are three different products, including a ready-mixed spray, granules, and the concentrate we are looking at here.
The concentrate is the most popular of the rabbit repellents and features the most powerful and concentrated chemical composition. A 40-quart bottle of the concentrate will cover up to 6,000 square feet, more than most other rival products. You simply mix about 8 ounces of the concentrate in a gallon of water before spraying your garden.
This is a repellent which uses odors to stop the foraging before it even begins. Using natural rabbit deterrents, like putrescent egg solids and garlic, it certainly smells. Fortunately, the smell dies down with ventilation about a day after spraying. All the ingredients used in this product are safe for your pets, family, and desirable plants.
The manufacturer recommends you renew this product after two weeks within the first month, and thereafter, spraying is monthly. Being a liquid concentrate, it is important you note this product may be washed away by rain or water. Try to ensure the solution dries completely or settles after spraying.
Many customers have found Liquid Fence to be effective in keeping their yards and gardens rabbit-free. Although, I’ve heard complaints that the new formula is weaker and won’t cover as large an area, needing more concentrate for dilution. New formulas are rarely popular—does anybody remember the new Coke fiasco?
Overall, this is a solid product which is effective at repelling rabbits, deer and other rodents or pests from your garden. It may cost slightly more, but the concentrate is more powerful than many others and lasts longer.
Pros
Covers a large area.
Longer lasting and can last up to a month without reapplication.
Repels other pests and rodents.
Safe to use around pets and plants.
Cons
Expensive. The new formula doesn’t cover as much area as stated on the bottle.
Can leave plants looking messy.
Strong odor when first applied.
Restricted in New Mexico and Indiana.
I Must Garden Rabbit Repellent: Mint Scent
I first came across I Must Garden's Rabbit Repellent while visiting a friend's house. She was spraying it on the doormats leading out of the house. Apparently, it was to keep the pet rabbit in so it doesn't wander out into the garden or the street and potentially get lost. (I bet it would chow down her plants on the way out, too!)
Being so used to pest repellents of the blood and stinking egg kind, the minty scent was very welcome. It definitely does not smell as pleasantly minty as my aromatherapy diffuser, but it's an upgrade to the regular stinkbomb repellents.
This specifically targets rabbits. The same concentrated minty smell that keeps my friend's rabbit from going near their doorways is the same smell that keeps rabbits from nibbling on your hostas, roses, lettuce, or tomatoes. To the furry critters, it simply smells and tastes terrible.
The manufacturer claims that the product is rain-resistant, and I would say that's correct up to a degree. A light drizzle is fine, but anything more than that—like a heavy watering or heavy rainfall—will mean respraying.
Lastly, I apply directly on non-edible plants, but for edibles, I just spray heavily around the perimeter as a matter of choice. That seems enough to deter the rabbits in our area, but some of you out there might not be so lucky.
Pro-Tip: If you plan to use a rabbit repellent spray on a flowering plant with fragile blooms like New Guineas or African violets, err on the side of caution and give it a test run on one plant first. If there is no flower damage, it should be alright to use on your plants.
Pros
Rabbit-specific.
Oil-based concentrate.
Safe for pets and pollinators; no harmful glues.
Also works on moles.
Very good feedback from most gardeners.
Cons
Might burn some flowers.
Rabbits of the persistent kind can get used to it and come back.
Not recommended to be stored open for too long (as in a year); it will lose its efficacy.
Repellex Deer & Rabbit Repellent Original
The Repellex Deer and Rabbit repellent concentrate uses a combination of smell and taste to keep rabbits away from your plants. This unique liquid has been designed to stick to organic surfaces, like leaves or shrubs, and will offer 90 days of protection. All natural ingredients include dried blood, garlic oils, and hot pepper, to create a dual barrier that affects the pest’s smell and taste.
Supplied as a ready-to-mix concentrate, a gallon of solution will be adequate for 120-160 plants. You simply spray the diluted mix onto the leaves or stems of your plants and walk away. The manufacturer recommends applying on dry days and to reapply after a rain shower for best results.
Repellex concentrate does have a strong odor when first applied, but this dissipates after 24-48 hours. A red pigmentation in the dried blood can also stain lighter colored plants, but the staining often disappears after a few rainfalls. Active ingredients bond to the plant walls for maximum effectiveness. These can be undesirable on edible plants.
Although dried blood is said to be the most effective repellent, sometimes rabbits can become immune to it. Once they have found there is no danger, they will no longer be afraid. Repellex tries to counter this with the taste of garlic and hot pepper, but often this is too late and half the plants have been eaten.
Repellex is one of the less expensive rabbit repellent sprays and, with it sticking to the plant better, you will use less. However, it may not be as effective as more expensive sprays that have higher levels of active ingredients. Many gardeners find rotating this spray with other repellents is more effective than solely relying on Repellex.
Pros
Active ingredients force the repellent to bond with the plant surface, making it last longer and more water resistant.
Combines fear, odor and taste, to keep away rabbits and other pests.
Organic ingredients are safe for use in households with pets or small children.
Concentrate lasts much longer than the ready-mixed spray bottles which are available.
Cons
One of the very worst smelling sprays: the bad odor of rotten eggs and garlic does die down after 24-48 hours, though.
Sticking to the plant surface will affect the taste of the plant: great for scaring off rabbits, not so great for edible plants.
Red pigmentation found in dried blood will discolor many plants.
Concentrate can be thick, even when mixed correctly, and will clog up smaller spray bottles.
Bonus Choice:
Broox Solar Ultrasonic Motion Detection Repeller
This solar powered repeller offers a different but still humane way of repelling rabbits from your garden.
The Broox works by detecting motion and then triggering a high frequency noise and a flashing LED light which in turn scares and discourages animals from staying in the vicinity of the equipment.
These types of repellers offer a non-toxic and humane way of keeping rabbits from your garden. Compared to spraying foul-smelling formulas, the Broox system offers a low maintenance way of keeping the rabbits out.
The device is solar powered but it also comes with 3x rechargeable batteries that can be charged with a USB cord. Apart from being easy to install, it is also waterproof against normal rain. If the rain in your area tends to be heavy, we recommend an extra precaution. Just put a ziploc bag upside down so that the seal is at the bottom. This will secure your device against the elements better while not interfering with its performance.
For rabbits, you can use Frequency 2 or 3. Frequency 2 is 19.5-24.5 KHZ and repels animals such as cats, raccoons, squirrels, badgers, and skunks. Frequency 3 is 24.5-45.5 KHZ and repels animals such as squirrels, big birds, and rodents. You can try the different settings to see which is the most effective.
The light can also mimic a home security system, which may scare off potential thieves and intruders.
Pros:
Very low maintenance and easy to install
Motion activated so they work all day and night
Solar powered, with no need for external wiring: environmentally friendly.
Weatherproof and can be used all year round.
Non-toxic, humane and safe.
Multiple units can be set at different heights and angles, to cover the whole garden and deter larger pests too.
Cons:
The lights don’t deter some rodents
This cannot be placed near a road or street as passing cars may activate it
The manufacturer recommends 2 weeks to see desired effects from their product
Our Choice
All the products we have looked at will help you keep your garden free of rabbits and their late-night munching habits. Whether you want to go down the electronic deterrent route or apply a spray/granules is a matter of personal preference.
Personally, we prefer the Broox LED+sound motion detectors paired with the spray repellents.
Our choice for the best spray rabbit repellent would have to be either of the Liquid Fence Rabbit Repellent variants. It may cost more money than some of its competitors, but it will last you much longer. Even though you don’t like the idea of rabbits in your garden eating your plants, you don’t really want to kill them, do you?
The Benefits of Rabbit Repellents
There are numerous natural ways of keeping rabbits out of your yard, like those detailed in the YouTube video below.
When you shop around for commercially available rabbit repellent, remember that you can choose between ready sprays, concentrates, or granules to be sprinkled on the ground, around your prized plants.
These products tend to be made from non-toxic and natural ingredients. A rabbit repellent will work either by creating an odor which deters the rabbit, or altering the flavor of greenery to stop it munching on the stuff.
Area or Odor Repellents
These are the most common types of repellent, which create an odor that drives away the rabbit before it has a chance to eat your plants. Natural substances used may include garlic oils, putrescent egg solids, blood meal, bone oil or ammonium.
Although the smell can be quite overpowering when you first apply the spray to your garden, normally it will subside.
Most sprays actually go on the surface of the plants and, although safe for digestion, can taint the taste of some food products. This is bad news if you’re growing edibles to eat. A better alternative is to spray around the perimeter of your garden or yard, to create an odor barrier.
Some repellents will work on the basis of fear and create an odor of a dead animal, using dried blood or meat meal. The natural instincts of the rabbit will cause it to leave in fear of a predator being nearby.
Contact or Taste Repellents
Oil or sauces from spicy peppers can be taste repellents.
Much less common are repellents which alter the taste of the plants—you want to stop the rabbits taking a bite in the first place. Ingredients that can be used to dissuade rabbits from taking any further bites include: fermented or putrid eggs, hot pepper sauces, and fungicides.
Unfortunately, many of these ingredients are not as safe as odor compounds and should only be used on ornamental rather than edible plants. In addition, a rabbit will sometimes, if extremely hungry, eat anything and try to ignore the bad taste. Odor repellents are, in most cases, more effective than a taste-based method.
You should always check with both odor and taste-based repellents, that they are safe for your garden and other occupants of your household. If you have younger children or family pets, ensure that any repellent is non-toxic and free of added synthetics.
Some compounds can even be of benefit, as they break down into sources of nutrients for your garden.
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