Pests and Diseases - Symptom Selector

Rabbits

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Rabsbit

Symptoms

Rabbits can be a terrible pest is the garden and eat a very wide range of garden plants.

Harm

Herbaceous plants can be grazed down to ground level. Leaves and young shoots of woody plants can be chewed on up to a height of 50 cm. Bark around the base of trees can be eaten which can kill the tree if the gnawing is all the way round the trunk. Rabbits also dig holes in the lawn and flowerbeds.

Treatment

There are several ways to combat a rabbit problem in the garden: Erect a wire mesh fence 120-140 cm high and 30 cm below ground level around the garden with the bottom 30 cm of the mesh angled outwards to deter rabbits from burrowing underneath. Choose a maximum mesh size off 25-30 mm to stop young ones squeezing through.

For individual plants netting 90 cm high can be put up around the plant, without the need to bury part underground. Wire netting or spiral tree guards should be put around the base of young trees to prevent them gnawing on the bark.

Animal repellents such as Renardine can be used. They don't give complete protection, particularly during wet weather or when plants are growing actively.

Grow plants that are more resistant to rabbit attack. Plant more susceptible plants in the middle of the border as rabbits usually nibble on those along the edge

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