How To Get Rid Of Baby Rabbits

If you’ve found a nest of baby rabbits in your garden, you’re probably wondering how to get rid of baby rabbits without causing them harm. It’s a common situation for gardeners, and handling it with care is crucial for both the animals and your peace of mind.

First, take a deep breath. Mother rabbits only visit their nests a few times a day, usually at dawn and dusk, to avoid attracting predators. So just because you don’t see her, doesn’t mean the babies are abandoned. This guide will walk you through safe, humane, and effective steps to resolve the situation.

This process is about encouraging relocation, not causing distress. Rushing in can do more harm then good. Always prioritize the well-being of the young animals while protecting your garden space.

Step 1: Confirm the Babies Are Actually Orphaned

Before you do anything, you need to be sure the mother is not returning. This is the most important step.

Do Not Disturb the Nest: Avoid touching the babies or the nest site initially.
The String Test: Gently place a few pieces of string or yarn in a loose tic-tac-toe pattern over the nest. Use twigs to lay them across the depression.
Check Back in 24 Hours: If the string has been moved, the mother is still caring for her young. If it remains untouched for a full day and night, the babies may truely be orphaned.

Step 2: If the Mother is Present (Live and Let Live)

If the string test shows the mother is active, the best approach is often patience. Baby rabbits grow incredibly fast.

They Mature Quickly: Cottontail rabbits leave the nest and are independent at just 3-4 weeks old.
Protect Your Plants Temporarily: Use temporary chicken wire cages or cloches around vulnerable seedlings until the family moves on.
Resume Normal Gardening: Simply work around the nest area. The disturbance will be very short-term.

Step 3: If the Babies Are Orphaned (Safe Removal)

If you’ve confirmed the mother is gone, it’s time for careful action. The goal is to get them to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.

Wear Gloves: This protects you and prevents your scent from transfering to the babies.
Prepare a Container: Line a small cardboard box with soft, dry grass or a clean, unscented cloth.
Gently Place Babies Inside: Keep them together for warmth.
Keep Them Warm and Quiet: Place the box in a dark, quiet, and warm place away from pets and children. Do not attempt to feed them or give them water.
Contact a Professional: Immediately call your local wildlife rehabilitation center, animal control, or humane society for further instructions. They have the expertise to care for them.

Step 4: Preventing Future Nests

Once the immediate situation is resolved, focus on making your garden less inviting for nesting.

Modify Habitat and Garden Layout

Fill in Burrows After Vacancy: Once you are certain a burrow is empty, pack it with soil and tamp it down.
Reduce Ground Cover: Keep grass mowed and clear away piles of brush, leaves, or tall weeds where rabbits might hide.
Use Raised Beds: These are less accessible for digging a nest compared to flat, loose soil.

Employ Humane Deterrents

Fencing is Best: Install a 2-foot high chicken wire fence, burying the bottom 3-6 inches outward in an “L” shape to prevent digging.
Use Repellents: Apply commercial or homemade repellents (like those with garlic or pepper) around garden borders. Reapply after rain.
Motion-Activated Sprinklers: These startle rabbits and other pests without causing injury, training them to avoid the area.

Strategic Planting

Rabbits have favorite foods, but they also avoid certain plants. Interplanting can help.

Plants Rabbits Tend to Avoid: Include marigolds, alliums, snapdragons, lavender, and catmint among your vegetables and flowers.
Protect Tender Shoots: Use plastic seedling collars or mesh guards around individual young plants until they become established.

What Not To Do

Avoid these common mistakes that can harm rabbits, your garden, or you.

Do Not Relocate Them Yourself: Moving wildlife is often illegal and usually fatal, as they don’t know where to find food or water and can spread disease.
Do Not Use Poison or Lethal Traps: These are inhumane, can harm pets and other non-target animals, and are not a permenant solution.
Do Not Keep Them as Pets: Wild rabbits do not domesticate well and have specific dietary needs; it’s also illegal in many places without a permit.

Understanding Your Wild Neighbors

Rabbits are part of the ecosystem. Knowing their habits helps you garden along side them more effectively.

Nesting Behavior: Mother rabbits dig very shallow, well-hidden nests called “forms.” They may be right in the open in your lawn.
Feeding Patterns: They are most active at dawn and dusk. You’ll often see them during these times in the growing season.
High Reproduction Rate: This is why prevention is key. One pair of rabbits can have several litters per year.

FAQ: Common Questions About Baby Rabbits

How do I get rid of rabbits in my yard humanely?

The most effective long-term method is exclusion fencing combined with habitat modification (removing brush piles, sealing off sheds). Repellents and motion sprinklers offer good supplemental control.

What is the fastest way to get rid of rabbits?

While not instantaneous, installing a proper physical barrier is the fastest permanent solution. Quick fixes like scare tactics often need repetition to work consistently.

How do I keep baby bunnies out of my garden?

Focus on making the soil unappealing for nesting. Before planting season, till empty garden beds and consider laying chicken wire flat under mulch in flower beds. Keep the garden active and disturbed.

Will baby rabbits survive if I move the nest?

It is very unlikely. The mother will not be able to find them, and you may accidentally separate them from their primary food source. It is almost always a death sentence for the babies.

What smells do rabbits hate?

Rabbits have sensitive noses and dislike strong scents like garlic, onion, vinegar, chili powder, and certain herbs like mint and lavender. These can be used to make homemade sprays.

Dealing with wildlife in the garden requires a blend of compassion and practicality. By following these steps for safe removal and proactive prevention, you can protect your plants while respecting the animals that share your outdoor space. Remember, the goal is coexistence, not eradication. With a little patience and the right strategies, you can enjoy a thriving garden and the occasional peaceful visit from nature’s creatures, on your own terms.