University of California Cooperative Extension: Mammal Pests, Keen for Green: Building a Rabbit Proof Fence: Keeping Rabbits Out of Your Garden, Fine Gardening: 35 Pest and Disease Remedies, How to Keep Chipmunks Out of Your Potted Plants, How to Keep Rabbits Out of the Garden & Yard. The prickles will hurt the rabbits' feet if they try to dig. Bury plastic chicken wire or netting just under the surface. Your rabbit needs to chew and dig … It is important to bury your fence at least a foot to prevent rabbits from simply digging under it. The only solution is to make a fence around our garden or lawn if you want to keep them safe from rabbits. These welded strong 4 gauge steel rods are proudly made in the USA and completely galvanized to create a long term solution. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. To deter rabbits from your landscape, combine fencing with additional exclusion methods, such as removing piles of brush, stones, lumber or other debris where rabbits may hide, and trim or remove dense vegetation such as weeds or long grass, which also provide cover for rabbits. How Far Apart Should T-Posts Be Spaced Around a Garden? I work in a memory care unit. All type of fences can be secured with Dig Defence, including but not limited to chain link, wood privacy, and decorative. How to Stop Animals from Digging Under Your Fence - YouTube Check the fence regularly, so you can repair damage such as pushed out stakes immediately. Secure the stakes by tying them to the chicken wire with high tensile steel wire or by fastening the wire to the stakes with garden staples, which are v-shaped staples that are hammered into the wood. commercial dig defence installation keeps animals out from under sheds, decks, and porches. L–footers can be homemade using fencing material or purchased from the sources listed in our Guide to Retail Sources for Products to Resolve Wildlife … Fill the trench with the soil so the wire is buried to a depth of at least 6 inches. The time of the year makes a difference in the frequency of digging. Fence in the plants you wish to protect. Miller holds a diploma in social services from Clarke College in Belleville, Ontario. Some cats like to go under fences, also, but they are so good at climbing, they mostly just go over the top! Another reason why your dog is digging under the fence is to simply get out! Use chicken wire that is at least 48 inches wide with a mesh size no larger than 1 inch. For animals that don't tunnel five feet down (and there are some that do) this should keep your garden from rabbits, possums and woodchucks. For professionals such as us, we use a product called Dig Defence. STEP 2 If your rabbit did get out the garden, they could get lost. 1. Something has burrowed under my fence at the side and back of the garden. If there is a glimmer of light under the fence line, it will not take long for your rabbit to dig their way out. If you have a sprinkler system, a motion sensor method can be a good deterrent. You need to dig a trench of at least 8 inches around the area to be fenced. Rabbits are more than just a nuisance when it comes to your garden or landscape. My rabbits also seem to need to memorize the ground pattern before they dig, so moving things around will slow them down. Providing Acceptable Items to Chew and Dig. Is your dog digging under your fence? Buried wire: Rabbits are capable of digging under most fences. If you have a fence that is less than 10 feet long, the wire may be installed in one length. Lay the wire in the trench forming an L shape with the L facing outward. Rabbits live in sizable colonies underground for their own safety. Rabbits may be cute and cuddly, but they can be extremely destructive when they dig under fences and eat your plants. There is a third option that involves catching the rabbit. The stakes should be at least 48 inches tall and driven several inches into the soil so they can’t be easily dug up or knocked over. A scared rabbit will bolt, which could mean it will run in any direction, including over a road. Animals who take up residence under a deck, crawl space or shed are often capable diggers. The garden behind mine has been ignored so it’s very overgrown. Not only is it a tremendous value, but it does an outstanding job at preventing rabbits from having access to your desirable plants. or. Bend the bottom of the mesh outward slightly. Sink a 3-foot wire mesh with 1-inch openings into the trench. Rabbits are especially adept at getting past fences for two key reasons: they dig and they squeeze. Works with any fence type whether you have wood, metal, chain link, PVC, brick, block, or others. Categories. To keep your dog in your yard: Bury chicken wire at the base of the fence. Tamp the soil down as you fill to make sure it is tightly compacted around the chicken wire. Fences are a good deterrent to keeping them out, but you must install them properly to prevent rabbits from digging under them. Latest Articles. Build a fence around a critical area where rabbits cannot get through. Digging Deterrents Partially bury rocks (flat ones in particular) in noted digging spots. Salt the perimeter and rows of the planted area with items that will keep the rabbits from coming near. Tag: How to Keep Rabbits from Digging Under Fence. The Dig Proofer uses heavy gauge black powder-coated galvanized welded wire Some items with smells that repel rabbits include human hair, dried sulfur and small bags of soap shavings. Your rabbit is digging based on instinct. Plant a few plants with bad odors that will keep the rabbits away. If you put up a fence to keep them out, be sure to extend wire meshing out in an “L” shape at or beneath the ground. I can’t see any identifiable droppings or prints either. The only solution is to make a fence around our garden or lawn if you want to keep them safe from rabbits. Your rabbit needs to chew and dig on a continual basis. She is co-founder of On Fiction Writing, a website for writers. YardGard Rabbit Fence. Later, you’ll bury the fence inside the trench. STEP 2 2. Build a fence around a critical area where rabbits cannot get through. Bend the bottom 6 inches of the chicken wire outward so it creates an L shape. They can chew through decorative fence materials such as wood and composite lumber, but they can’t dig or chew through metal. Rabbits like to hide their entrances, so they will also try to dig around obstacles, so if they can't dig around the fence line, they will try to do it by anything large enough to hide a hole. Bend the bottom of the mesh outward slightly. Then bury the bottom 6 inches of fencing under the soil, ideally angling that section outward. Measure the length of your fence to determine how much chicken wire you’ll need. This arrangement will prevent the rabbits from burrowing under it. Because rabbits easily and quickly dig under any fence that loosely touches the ground, the key to a successful rabbit proof fence is to extend buried fencing a … Make your lawn undesirable to rabbits. Rabbits may be cute and cuddly, but they can be extremely destructive when they dig under fences and eat your plants. Fill in the trench to bury the bottom of the fence. Sink a 3-foot wire mesh with 1-inch openings into the trench. She spent six years working in a private boarding school, where her focus was English, algebra and geometry. Place prickly sweet gum seed pods or prickly rose canes or holly branches in the soil around the plants you wish to protect. Ideally, you would need to bury your fencing underground to stop them digging out. Altering the Habitat to Deter Rabbits Reduce the areas where rabbits like to hide. Later, you’ll bury the fence inside the trench. Something has burrowed under my fence at the side and back of the garden. Other such animals include: Our Dig Proofer system is a simple and extremely effective solution to prevent digging and possible escapes. The fence is only about 3ft high and has quite big holes, foxes jump it easily. A rabbit fence is a fence designed to keep rabbits out of an area like a garden. The most effective way to bury your fence is to dig a trench about eight inches wide. This rough layer feels uncomfortable on a dog’s paws. 2. Keep in mind that the usual motivation for digging up yards comes down to two things: food and lodging. Dig a 6- to 8-inch trench around the planted area. or. YardGard Rabbit Fence is made out of highly-durable, 16 gauge galvanized steel that will last for a very long time. To keep rabbits from digging up your plants, you can put up barriers to keep them out or apply repellants to make them want to find a new place to dig. Dig a trench around your existing garden fence about 6 inches deep. It is important to bury your fence at least a foot to prevent rabbits from simply digging under it. Any fencing with a fine mesh can work for managing rabbits, although there are also special fencing products designed just for rabbits. Bury the bottom of the fence 1 to 2 feet below the surface. Installing a rabbit-proof barricade made of chicken wire is an effective way to block rabbits from the bottom of your fence. A rabbit digging a hole will often use her or his front paws which have not only sharp but also study nails to “scratch and scrabble at dirt for long periods of time.” [ 1] If these animals live in large colonies, they may create a warren which is nothing other than a network interconnect burrows. Tag: How to Keep Rabbits from Digging Under Fence. Do Deer Like to Eat Jerusalem Artichokes? Naturally, in order to make these holes, rabbits need to dig. The fence is only about 3ft high and has quite big holes, foxes jump it easily. Because … You might have the best dog play area in the neighborhood in your backyard but if your dog gets a whiff of another dog in heat, there’s nothing he won’t do to escape. Providing Acceptable Items to Chew and Dig. Citrus peels, cayenne, or vinegar may wrinkle that nose. Roll out the chicken wire to the desired length and cut off the excess with wire cutters. In domesticated rabbits, digging is recreational rather than a matter of survival. Creating barriers for rabbits requires sinking a fence partially below ground, as rabbits will dig to get under a fence if they are motivated enough. The fence must have a small mesh that the rabbits can't squeeze through. The most effective way to bury your fence is to dig a trench about eight inches wide. Replace the items if evidence of rabbits recurs or rain makes them ineffective. L–footer style fencing (PDF) will also keep wildlife out of yards and gardens. Rabbits can fit through small holes and also fit through opening that looks smaller than their body size. Additionally, animals such as rabbits can make their way into your property by digging a small hole. Fill in the trench to bury the bottom of the fence. Rabbits can navigate under shallow fences, so you’ll want to dig a six- or eight-inch trench along the planned perimeter. Rabbits can fit through small holes and also fit through opening that looks smaller than their body size. Cottontail rabbits don't do much digging, but jackrabbits are diggers that also jump fairly high. Not only that, but rabbits like to dig and can make holes pretty quickly! Latest Articles. Lay the wire in the … This arrangement will prevent the rabbits from burrowing under it. There is a third option that involves catching the rabbit. Dig Defence is a long term solution for your pet safety needs and each unit is reusable. They nibble on plants and shrubs, dig up vegetables, lawn and plant roots, and carry diseases that you don't want in your garden. You need to dig a trench of at least 8 inches around the area to be fenced. Supervision doesn't mean you always have to keep an eye on the bunny, but do go out periodically to make sure it is still in one piece and also to make sure that it hasn't found any escape routes. Kokemuller is an authorized substitute teacher and holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Iowa. If your rabbit has a continuous supply of timothy hay to eat, some toys to play with, a grass mat to dig on and a cardboard castle to renovate, she will have less of an inclination to chew your furniture and dig up your carpet. What Animals Are Attracted to Strawberry Plants? If the rabbits try to dig under the fence, they are stopped by the buried wire mesh. However, this isn’t the best option as it’s much more complicated for both you and the animal alike. Maximize effectiveness by combining two or more preventative methods. How to Grow Cat's Whiskers (Orthosiphon Aristatus). I can’t see any identifiable droppings or prints either. Not only does Dig Defence stop dogs from digging under the fence, Dig Defence also protects against predators and unwanted wildlife such as skunks, opossums, and coyotes. Hunting Instinct. Often, more damage occurs in the fall and spring. Then bury the bottom 6 inches of fencing under the soil, ideally angling that section outward. The hard part is "rooting" the bottom of the fencing in the soil. They have a natural tendency to burrow, which can compromise the integrity of any structure, such as walls and fences. Categories. Cover up; One of the reasons why dogs dig through a chain link fence is a distraction on the other side.