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Controlling Rabbits in the Landscape
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Reference: Ohio State University Extension
The common rabbit or eastern cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus), can do considerable damage to flowers, vegetables, trees and shrubs any time of the year in places ranging from suburban yards to rural fields and tree plantations. Control is often necessary to reduce damage, but complete extermination is not necessary, desirable, or even possible. The eastern cottontail is approximately 15 to 19 inches in length and weighs two to four pounds. Males and females are basically the same size and color, appearing gray or brownish with a short tail and big ears.
Habitat
Cottontails tend to concentrate in favorable habitats such as brushy fencerows, brush or junk piles, upland thickets, field edges or landscaped backyards where food and cover are suitable. In urban areas, rabbits are numerous and mobile enough to fill any "empty" habitat created when other rabbits are removed. Natural cavities or burrows excavated by woodchucks or other animals are frequently used. Underground dens are used primarily in extreme cold or wet weather and to escape pursuit. In spring and fall, rabbits use grass or weed shelter called a "form" to create a nest-like cavity on the surface of the ground for protection. Population levels are directly linked to the quantity and quality of the habitat present. Rabbits spend their entire lives in an area of 10 acres or less.
Diet
Cottontails will devour a wide variety of green vegetation especially in the spring when young, succulent plant material is present. A listing of severely, moderately, and seldom damaged woody and herbaceous plants follows. Rabbit damage can be identified by gnawing on older woody growth, clean-cut clipping of young stems, distinctive round droppings, and tracks.
Biology
A cottontail's life expectancy is 12 to 15 months, however, they have an extremely high reproductive potential reaching up to four litters per year, the first usually appearing in March. Gestation period is 28 or 29 days and there may be as many as six young per litter. The young are born in a shallow nest in the ground with their eyes closed and with little fur. Young leave the nest in two to three weeks. Predation, weather, disease, and encounters with cars and hunters contribute to the annual death rate. Up to 35 percent of the young die within the first month, and 65 percent of the remaining animals die over winter.
Control
No toxicants or fumigants are registered for use against rabbits. The use of moth balls or crystals is not labelled for rabbit control. Chemical repellents using the fungicide thiram may discourage rabbit browsing. Repellents should be applied before damage occurs and after a rain, heavy dew, or new plant growth.
Habitat modification and exclusion techniques provide long-term and non-lethal control. Remove dense, heavy vegetative cover, brush piles, weed patches, junk dumps and stone piles in or adjacent to the landscape. Fencing made from chicken wire, with mesh less than one inch, can be placed around herbaceous plants. The fence must be at least two feet in height with the bottom buried at least three inches. Quarter inch wire hardware cloth made into 18 to 24 inch cylinders, and buried at least three inches will protect trunks of young orchard trees or woody landscape plants.
Live animal traps, effective in winter, can be baited with corn cobs, oats, dried apples, or rabbit droppings. Traps are sold through garden centers, hardware stores, or gardening catalogs. Place the traps in areas where rabbits have been feeding or resting close to suitable cover. If the trap fails to catch any rabbits within a week, move the trap to a different location.
References
"Cottontail Rabbits," 1983. Scott R. Craven, University of Wisconsin-Extension, Madison, Wisconsin.
"Managing Rabbit and Vole Problems in Kentucky Orchards," 1990. Thomas G. Barnes, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky.
Rabbit Damaged Plant Survey
The following list of plants damaged by rabbits is the result of a scant survey done in Franklin County in 1994. Home gardeners were asked to send in lists of plants they observed as being damaged "severely," "moderately" or "seldom" by rabbits; somewhat subjective on their part. About 30 responses were gathered from home gardeners, Master Gardeners and some Ohio agents. This is a preliminary list and needs further opinion to validate some observations. Therefore, use this list with discretion.
The user is cautioned that rabbit feeding on any plant species may change due to fluctuation in population, alternate food sources, and environmental factors. No plant species will be avoided by rabbits under all conditions.
Key for Survey of Rabbit Damaged Plants
^^ indicates that a plant is also found on the moderately damaged list besides the list you are reading.
** indicates that a plant is also found on the heavily damaged list besides the list you are reading.
Plants Heavily Damaged
Woody Plants
Amelanchier (Serviceberry)
Berberis 'Crimson Pygmy' (Barberry)
Cercis canadensis (Eastern Redbud)
Chaenomeles japonica (Japanese Floweringquince)
Chaenomeles speciosa (Common Floweringquince)
Crataegus species (Hawthorn)
Deutzia species (Deutzia)
Euonymus alata (Winged Euonymus)
Forsythia species (Forsythia)
Fothergilla species (Fothergilla)
Hamamelis virginiana (Witch Hazel)
Hibiscus syriacus (Rose of Sharon)
Hydrangea quercifolia (Oakleaf Hydrangea)
Malus species (Flowering Crabapple)
Prunus bessyi (Sand Cherry)
Prunus x cistena (Purpleleaf Sand Cherry)
Rosa species (Rose)^^
Rosa multiflora species (Multiflora Rose)
Syringa patula 'Miss Kim' (Lilac)
Viburnum carlesii (Koreanspice Viburnum)
Viburnum x juddii (Judd Viburnum)
Viburnum plicatum (Doublefile Viburnum)
Ornamental Vines
Clematis species (Clematis)^^
Ipomoea purpurea (Morning Glory)
Fruits
Actinidea arguta (Kiwi)
Fragaria ananassa (Strawberry)
Malus pumila (Apples)
Grimes Golden
Yellow Delicious
Pyrus species (Pear)
Rubus species (Blackberry & Raspberry)^^
Vaccinium corymbosum (Blueberry)
Perennials
Adiantum pedatum (Northern Maidenhair Fern)
Anemone x hybrida (Japanese Anenome)
Aster novae-angliae 'Alma Potschke' (New England Aster)
Aster novi belgii (Michaelmas Daisy)
Astrantia major (Great Masterwort)
Campanula species (Bellflower)
Centaurea montana (Mountain Bluet)
Coreopsis rosea (Pink Coreopsis)
Coreopsis verticillata (Threadleaf Coreopsis)
Echinacea purpurea (Purple Coneflower)^^
Felicia amelloides (Marguerite Daisy)
Galium odoratum (Sweet Woodruff)
Gypsophila paniculata (Baby's Breath)
Heuchera sanguinea (Coral Bells-flowers only)
Hosta species (Plantain Lily)^^
Liatris spicata (Gayfeather)
Lupinus 'Russell Hybrid' (Lupine)
Lythrum salicaria (Purple Loosestrife)
Paeonia suffruticosa (Tree Peony)
Papaver nudicaule (Iceland Poppy)
Papaver orientale (Oriental Poppy)
Phlox paniculata (Garden Phlox)
Platycodon grandiflorus 'Shell Pink' (Balloon Flower)
Rudbeckia hirta 'Goldsturm' (Black-eyed Susan)
Scabiosa caucasica (Pincushion Flower)
Verbena rigida (Vervain)
Viola cucullata 'Freckles' (Marsh Blue Violet)
Viola tricolor (Johnny-Jump-Up)
Annuals
Antirrhinum majus (Snapdragon)
Celosia argenta cristata (Cockscomb)
Centaurea cyanus (Bachelor's Button)
Cosmos bipinnatus (Cosmos)
Gazania rigens (Gazania)
Helianthus annuus (Sunflower)
Impatiens wallerana (Impatiens)
Lathyrus latifolius (Sweet Pea)
Petunia x hybrida (Petunia) ^^
Portulaca grandiflora (Rose Moss)
Torenia (Wishbone Flower)
Tropaeolum (Nasturtium)
Verbena x hybrida (Garden Verbena)
Viola x wittrockiana (Pansy)
Zinnia elegans (Zinnas)
Bulbs
Crocus hybrids (Crocus)
Iris hybrids (Dutch)
Lilium species (Hardy and Asiatic)
Tulipa hybrids (Tulip)
Vegetables
Beta vulgaris (Beets)
Beta vulgaris cicla (Swiss Chard)
Brassica oleracea italica (Broccoli)
Capsicum frutescens (Peppers)^^
Lactuca sativa (Lettuce)
Phaseolus vulgaris (Beans)
Pisum sativum (Peas)
Spinacia oleracea (Spinach)
Plants Moderately Damaged
Woody Plants
Cotinus coggygria (Smoke Bush)
Rosa species (Rose)**
Fruits
Rubus species (Raspberry & Blackberry)**
Perennials
Dianthus plumarius (Pinks)
Echinacea purpurea (Purple Coneflower)**
Hosta species (Plantain Lily)**
Annuals
Petunia x hybrida (Petunia)**
Tagetes erecta (Marigold)
Tithonia rotundifolia (Mexican Sunflowers)
Bulbs
Gladiolus x hortulanus (Gladiola)
Muscari botryoides (Grape Hyacinths)
Vegetables
Cucumis sativus (Cucumbers)
Capsicum frutescens (Peppers)**
Plants Seldom Damaged
Woody Plants
Acer palmatum (Japanese Maple)
Aesculus glabra (Buckeye)
Aesculus hippocastanum (Horsechestnut)
Aesculus parviflora (Bottlebrush Buckeye)
Budddleia davidii (Butterfly-bush)
Buxus species (Boxwood)
Cornus alba (Tatarian Dogwood)
Cotoneaster species (Cotoneaster)
Hydrangea anomala petiolaris (Climbing Hydrangea)
Hydrangea arborescens (Smooth Hydrangea)
Ilex glabra compacta (Dwarf Inkberry)
Juglans cinera (Butternut )
Juglans nigra (Black Walnut)
Kalmia latifolia (Mountain Laurel)
Liquidamber straciflua (Sweet Gum)
Liriodendron tulipifera (Tulip Tree)
Picea pungens 'Fat Albert' (Blue Spruce)
Pinus strobus (White Pine)
Potentilla fruticosa (Bush Cinquefoil)
Rhododendron P.J.M. Hybrids (Rhododendron)
Rhododendron species (Azaleas)
Rhus species (Sumac)
Taxus species (Yew)
Ornamental Vines
Campsis radicans (Trumpet vine)
Clematis species (Clematis)**
Fruits
Ribes species (Currant & Gooseberry)
Vitis species (Grape)
Perennials
Acanthus spinosa latifolius (Spiny Bear's Breeches)
Aconitum napellus (Monkshood)
Adenophora lilifolia (Ladybells)
Ajuga repens (Bugleweed)
Alcea rosea (Hollyhock)
Alchemilla mollis (Lady's Mantle)
Aquilegia hybrida (Columbine)
Artemesia species (Wormwood)
Aruncus dioicus (Goat's Beard)
Asarum europaeum (Wild Ginger)
Astillbe x arendsii (False Spirea)
Baptisia aurestralis (False Indigo)
Bergenia cordifolia (Heartleaf Bergenia)
Brunnera macrophylla (Siberian Bugloss)
Cactus species (Cactus)
Cimicifuga racemosa (Bugbane)
Convallaria majalis (Lily-of-the-Valley)
Coreopsis grandiflora (Tickseed)
Dendranthema x morifolium (Hardy Chrysanthemum)
Dicentra species (Bleeding Heart)
Digitalis purpurea (Foxglove)
Doronicum orientale (Leopardsbane)
Echinops ritro (Small Globe Thistle)
Epimedium x rubrum (Red Barrenwort)
Eupatorium coelestinum (Hardy Ageratum)
Euphorbia species (Euphorbia)
Ferns, except maiden hair
Filipendula ulmaria (Queen of the Meadow)
Gaillardia x grandiflora (Blanket Flower)
Geranium species (Cranesbill)
Hemerocallis species (Daylily)
Iberis semipervirens (Evergreen Candytuft)
Iris siberica (Siberian Iris)
Kniphofia (Red Hot Poker)
Lavandula angustifolia (Lavender)
Leucanthemum x superbum (Shasta Daisy)
Liriope spicata (Creeping Lily-Turf)
Lobelia cardinalis (Cardinal Flower)
Lysimachia clethroides (Gooseneck Loosestrife)
Malva alcea (Hollyhock Mallow)
Mertensia virginica (Virginia Bluebells)
Monarda didyma (Bee Balm)
Myosotis sylvatica (Forget Me Not)
Ornamental grasses
Pachysandra terminalis (Japanese Pachysandra)
Paeonia hybrids (Peony)
Perovskia atriplicifolia (Russian Sage)
Phlox sublata (Creeping Phlox)
Potentilla verna (Spring Cinquefoil)
Primula x polyantha (Primrose)
Pulsatilla vulgaris rubra (Pasque Flower)
Salvia x superba 'East Friesland' (Perennial Salvia)
Sedum 'Autumn Joy' (Sedum)
Stachys byzantina (Lamb's Ear)
Stokesia laevis (Stokes Aster)
Teucrium chamaedrys (Germander)
Thalictrum rochebrunianum (Meadow Rue)
Tiarella cordifolia (Foam Flower)
Veronica species (Speedwell)
Yucca filamentosa (Adam's Needle)
Annuals
Ageratum houstonianum (Mexican Ageratum)
Begonia x semperflorens-cultorum (Wax Begonia)
(Amethyst Flower)
Calendula officinalis (Pot Marigold)
Catharanthus roseus (Vinca)
Cleome hasslerana (Spiderflower)
Mirabilis jalapa (Four O'Clock)
Pelargonium x hortorum (Geranium zonal & bedding)
Bulbs
Allium giganteum (Persian Onion)
Hyacinth orientalis (Hyacinth)
Narcissus species (Daffodils)
Vegetables
Allium cepa (Onions)
Allium porrum (Leeks)
Asparagus officinalis (Asparagus)
Cucurbita pepo melopepo (Summer Squash)
Lycopersicum esculentum (Tomato)
Rheum rhaponticum (Rhubarb)
Solanum tuberosum (Potatoes)
Herbs
Artemisia dracunculus (Tarragon)
Marjorana hortensis (Marjoram)
Mentha species (Mint)
Ocimum basilicum (Basil)
Origanum vulgare (Oregano)
Petroselinum crispum (Parsley)
Satureia hortensis (Savory)
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