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Wild rabbits burrowing

debbiemartindaledebbiemartindale Posts: 23
in Problem solving
Year 1. Wild rabbits ate 99% of my new bulb growth so we put a rabbit proof fence around the  part of the garden planted with veg and flowers but left  the bulk of the garden free. Unfortunately the fence was plastic and they ate their way in
Year 2. Took the fence down and replaced with a wire fence attached to sleepers around the same area Was doing really well but now the little fellows have begun to jump the fence. I had no idea they could jump so high [ 900cm] They are determined to try and burrow behind my pittosporum and are tunnelling quite deep. Any ideas? Anything that I can spray as a deterrent that works. They ate my chives last night and alliums...I thought they weren't supposed to even like these!! Definitely rabbit as saw it this morning neck deep in soil.

Posts

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited April 2021
    When we had a
    rural allotment the whole site was protected by rabbit fencing as described here 
    https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=219

    It has to be good quality netting, buried and bent out towards the rabbits to prevent tunneling, and the bottom of gates must be proofed too. 

    As you say it has to be tall enough too. It’s no good skimping or they’ll find a way in. 

    Good luck  🐇 😉 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • debbiemartindaledebbiemartindale Posts: 23
    Thanks Dovefromabove. We didn't skimp this time but had no idea they were so bouncy. Tigger genes!
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    You’ve not seen rabbits pole vaulting?  You’ve not lived!!! 🤣 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • dave125dave125 Posts: 178
    If they are burrowing at this time of year it's possible they're building stops or burrows away from a warren where they deliver the babies. Just  a heads up in case you'd considered filling them in.
    That said we used to get one, which became at least six, every year and it really was a massive pain. New neighbours have put in dog proof fencing between us and the fields now and it has stopped them almost completely. Sadly it's also stopped the badgers and Foxes etc.
    Luv Dave
  • debbiemartindaledebbiemartindale Posts: 23
    Yes Dave we had thought that might be the case but have filled it in before they had finished the burrow and have covered it up with something for now. We live rurally so there's plenty of other places for them to burrow and I'm happy to see them in the larger part of the garden...just not this bit!

  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
     900cm? They must be superbunnies :D
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • PosyPosy Posts: 3,601
    We were having problems with rabbits. Quite coincidentally, we adopted two rescue moggies. The rabbits left.
  • debbiemartindaledebbiemartindale Posts: 23
    I think I'd rather have the rabbits Posy ;)

  • PosyPosy Posts: 3,601
    It's all a matter of taste. I love cats and ours are remarkably gorgeous! Rabbits I like well away from my garden.
  • bertrand-mabelbertrand-mabel Posts: 2,697
    Yes we had rabbit issues many years ago in our garden and mainly the veg area.
    Had to put up wire all around but thankfully not too high as the rabbits here don't seem to jump...good for me as climbing over the wire each time time to weed/sow/plant/harvest doesn't get easier as you get older.
    Maybe the rabbits here are the same!
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