Rabbits are a great way to keep your lawn healthy. Rabbits help fertilize and aerate the soil, keep out destructive insects, and eat weeds. However, too many rabbits on your lawn can cause damage due to overgrazing. Keep the rabbit population under control and you’ll have a great lawn.
There’s a lot of debate on whether or not rabbits are good for your lawn. Some people believe they help keep the grass short and healthy, while others believe they cause more harm than good (digging holes, building nests, etc.).
So, what’s the verdict? This blog post will explore the pros and cons of allowing rabbits on your lawn to help you make an informed decision.
As with most things, the answer depends on your individual needs and goals.
What You'll Learn
It Depends On Your Goals
Rabbits are not the answer if you want your lawn to look absolutely perfect with trimmed edges and an even cut. Rabbits will not help you get that “even and clean cut” you’re looking for.
However, if you don’t care about the perfect cut and are looking for some assistance in lawn care, rabbits are a great way to keep grass short and weeds at bay. Rabbits can also help aerate the soil, keeping your grass healthy for much longer.
The Pros of Allowing Rabbits On Your Lawn
Great Fertilizer
Rabbits are great at fertilizing your lawn because they poop…a lot. In fact, rabbits produce about 1/4-1/2 pound of manure per day. This may not seem like much, but it can add up over time. This manure is full of nutrients that are essential for a healthy lawn, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Not to mention, rabbit manure is a great way to keep your garden healthy too!
Can Help Aerate Soil
Rabbits also help aerate the soil. This is because they dig small holes in the ground to create their nests (or just because they want to dig). While this may seem like a bad thing, it actually helps improve the drainage and aeration of the soil. This is important for a healthy lawn because it allows the roots to breathe and absorb more nutrients.
Can Keep Destructive Insects Out
Rabbits are also known to keep destructive insects out of your lawn. This is because they eat many of the same things these insects do, such as grubs, caterpillars, and other larvae. By keeping these insects out, rabbits help to protect your lawn from potential damage.
Rabbits Eat Weeds
Rabbits are also great at eating weeds. This is because they have a high metabolism and must eat frequently throughout the day. This means that they will eat just about anything, including weeds. This can be a great way to keep your lawn free of unwanted plants.
Attracting Rabbits To Your Lawn
If you’re looking to attract rabbits to your lawn, there are a few things you can do.
Plant Foods They Like
One of the best ways to attract rabbits to your lawn is to plant foods they like. Some of their favorite foods include alfalfa, clover, and dandelions. It’s nearly impossible to attract rabbits to your lawn if you don’t have anything to offer them.
Provide Them With Shelter
Rabbits also need somewhere to shelter. This can be in the form of a hutch, shed, or even a dog house. They may be less likely to visit your lawn if you don’t have any of these things.
A Water Source
Rabbits also need a water source. This can be in the form of a small pond or bird bath. If you don’t have a water source, you’ll still get rabbits visiting your lawn, but they aren’t likely to stay long. They have no reason to leave if you provide them with a water source and shelter!
Keep it Free of Predators
Rabbits are prey animals, which means they are constantly on the lookout for predators. If you have a lot of predators in your area, such as coyotes, foxes, or hawks, it’s unlikely that rabbits will visit your lawn. However, if you live in an area with few predators, rabbits will feel more comfortable coming to your lawn.
Provide Hiding Places
Rabbits also need somewhere to hide. This can be in the form of bushes or tall grass. If you don’t have any hiding places, rabbits will be less likely to visit your lawn.
The Cons of Allowing Rabbits on Your Lawn
By following the above tips, you can attract rabbits to your lawn and keep them there. However, it’s important to remember that rabbits can also be destructive. Here are a few of the cons to allowing rabbits on your yard.
Can Lead to Damage From Overgrazing
One of the biggest problems with rabbits is that they can damage your lawn from overgrazing. This is because rabbits tend to eat everything in sight, including grass, flowers, and vegetables.
If you have too many rabbits on your lawn, they can quickly destroy all the vegetation, leaving you with a brown, patchy lawn.
Rabbits Can Damage the Roots From Digging
Another problem with rabbits is that they can damage the roots of your grass from digging. This will lead to a weaker and less healthy lawn.
Rabbits Will Eat the Fruits & Veggies in Your Garden
If you have a garden, rabbits can be a big problem. This is because they will eat the fruits and vegetables you are trying to grow. Rabbits LOVE fruits and veggies and will do just about anything to get to them. Even if you try putting up a fence, rabbits will likely try to dig under the fence.
Rabbit Nests Will Make it Difficult to Mow
If rabbits decide to build a nest on your lawn, it can make it difficult to mow. You must be careful not to run over the nest and kill the baby rabbits.
How to Keep Rabbits Off Your Lawn
Even though rabbits can be destructive, there are some ways to keep them off your lawn.
Don’t Leave Food Out
One of the best ways to keep rabbits off your lawn is to not leave food out. If you have a garden, pick the fruits and vegetables as soon as they are ripe. Don’t leave them sitting on the ground where rabbits can find them.
Limit The Water Sources
Another way to keep rabbits off your lawn is to limit the water sources. If you have a bird bath, make sure to empty it out every few days. This will prevent rabbits from using it as a water source.
Use a Physical Barrier
If you want to keep rabbits off your lawn, you can use a physical barrier. This can be in the form of a fence. The fence should be at least 3 feet tall and made of chicken wire or hardware cloth. Remember to place something at the base of the fence to prevent the rabbit from digging under it.
Use Repellents
You can also use repellents to keep rabbits off your lawn. There are many different types of repellents available, so make sure to find one that is safe for use around children and pets. You can also make your own repellent by mixing water, vinegar, and garlic together. Spray the mixture around the perimeter of your lawn to keep rabbits away.
Time to Weigh The Pros and Cons
There are pros and cons to consider when deciding whether or not to allow rabbits on your lawn. On one hand, rabbits can be cute and add to the beauty of your yard. On the other hand, rabbits can be destructive and eat the fruits and vegetables in your garden. It’s important to weigh the pros and cons before deciding whether or not to allow rabbits on your lawn.