Problem-Solving – Bunnies…Again!

On By TimelessladyIn Problem-Solving

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I wrote a few weeks ago about rabbits nipping off the leaves of my lilies. When the clover thrived in my backyard they left their garden bed nibbling for better grazing amongst the sweet flowers.

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My lilies recovered, grew, and began to bud, but alas and alack, my husband mowed down the high grass in the backyard for our Memorial Day picnic. I didn’t think much about it until a few days ago when I noticed a bunny sitting in the garden bed, very still. The plants nearby his location were gently swaying in a strange motion and there was no breeze.

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OH NO! It dawned on me the strange swaying was being caused by the front incisors of the rabbit’s teeth. I ran out, but not in time, the bunny had bitten down three of my lily stems and eaten them.

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I immediately grabbed my wrist rocket slingshot, but couldn’t seem to bring myself to use it. I wanted to sting the bunny, but not harm him, and I had no idea what ammunition would work but cause no lasting pain. I asked my husband if a craft pompom wet down with hot sauce would work and he just laughed at me. I think I hear you laughing too!

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I’m putting my pest repellent skills in play, instead of trying to shoot pompoms or pebbles, and simmering some dried Chile de Arbol in water with garlic and onion to create a potent, smelly hot sauce mix that will repel those Wascally Wabbits. (This said for the benefit of those old enough to remember Elmer Fudd. 😀 )

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My crockpot, placed outside on the porch, is the easiest way I’ve found to cook this potion. The smell is very strong. After a few hours, I drain off the water, strain several times, and spray the plant being eaten. This natural solution works, but has a few drawbacks: it washes away in the rain and must be reapplied, it is hard to strain finely enough to spray out of a normal spray bottle, and worst of all…the peppers can burn eyes, skin, and even the lungs.  Please be especially careful not to inhale the fumes.

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I also grind the peppers and scatter them among the garden beds. This is the most likely way you will inhale the dust so wearing a mask is not a bad idea.

Dangers of Chili Powder

If it works, it will be worth it to me, but if you try it, please be cautious when handling the peppers. Updates will follow.

15 thoughts on “Problem-Solving – Bunnies…Again!”

  2. Christine Dufault

    I used your chili pepper, garlic, ivory recipe last year only I used chili powder instead and it worked wonders! None of my berries etc. we’re touched!

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  3. Mary Bigger

    You might check out a product called Liquid Fence. I tried it last spring when the deer problem reached the point of 4 to 7 deer a day and what they didn’t eat they trampled. This product is labeled for deer and rabbits. I can’t vouch for its effectiveness on rabbits because they have not been a visible problem. It withstands rain, an important factor in Shelton,WA. There is a slight smell as it is applied but that fades in 20 min or so. I tried it because I was desperate and it has a money back guarantee. I have no pets or resident kids but there is no poison warning on this. It is touted as “natural. The veggies are behind a fence. I only use this in the open yard area. So far so good the deer seem to be going elsewhere..

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    1. I did use this and had good luck with it…it is so expensive though…and the smell seemed to last a long, long time. Maybe I used too much. The vegetable garden is behind chicken wire now, so that is faring better…I thought those lilies were safe once they grew higher. Thanks for the tip. 😀

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  5. poor bunnies. they are a food chain animal for so many other animals. And when they try to eat some plants, we try to get rid of them. poor bunnies. I feel for them big time.
    The only reason they even get eaten…is because we sinned. We ought to be feeding them yummy stuff considering they are gonna die a terrible death and be gone. They only have a life span of 6 months to 2 yrs in the wild.

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    1. I agree to a point. Bunnies are adorable. A few days before one ate down my lilies I saw one in the back yard grooming just like a cat, and I thought, ‘Aw…how cute he is.” Then he decided to make a meal of my garden and will continue to do so if I don’t find a way to scare him or repel him away from my garden beds.

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Thanks so much for your comments. They fill my life with sunshine.