You set up your rabbit hutch in the house or backyard, and everything is perfect. The hutch is big enough for your rabbits to move around, and there’s plenty of room for them to play. You’ve even put a little house in the hutch for them to sleep in.
But there’s one problem: you can’t keep the mice out!
No matter what you do, they always seem to find a way in. You’ve tried every mouse trap imaginable, but nothing seems to work. What can you do?
What You'll Learn
Why It’s Important to Rodent Proof Your Rabbit Hutch
Mice can be a real nuisance, especially if they start to invade your rabbit hutch. Not only do they eat the food you have stored for your rabbits, but they can also cause damage to the hutch itself and may even bite your rabbits.
To protect your rabbits from these unwanted guests, it is important to rodent-proof your hutch. This means making sure that mice cannot get into the hutch in the first place.
The three main motivating factors to keep mice out of the rabbit hutch include:
Keeping Your Rabbit Free of Disease and Parasites
Mice can carry several diseases and parasites that can be harmful to your rabbits. Keeping them out of the hutch can help protect your rabbits from these diseases and parasites.
Some of the diseases that mice can carry include:
- Salmonella
- Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV)
- Hantavirus
In addition to these diseases, mice can also carry parasites such as fleas and mites. These parasites can cause several problems for your rabbits, including skin irritation and anemia.
Prevents Mice From Eating Rabbit Food
Another reason to rodent-proof your hutch is to prevent mice from eating the food you have stored for your rabbits. Mice are attracted to the same foods your rabbits like, so if they can get into the hutch, they will likely eat the food you have put out for your rabbits.
This can be a problem because your rabbits will not have enough to eat. To make matters worse, the droppings that mice leave behind can contaminate the food and make it unsafe for your rabbits to eat.
Prevents Your Rabbit From Getting Bit
The third reason to rodent-proof your hutch is to prevent your rabbits from getting bitten by mice. As previously stated, mice carry diseases, but even if the mouse does not carry any diseases, a bite can still be painful for your rabbit. Mice have sharp teeth that can cause serious injury to your rabbit.
First Step – Learn What Attracts Mice to The Hutch
To keep mice out of your hutch, you need to understand what attracts them in the first place. There are a few things that mice are looking for when trying to find a place to live. These include:
- Food
- Shelter
- Darkness and warmth
- Feces from rabbits or other pets
- Strong scents (such as garbage)
If you can remove these attractants, you will be well on your way to keeping mice out of your hutch.
How to Stop Mice From Getting In The Hutch
Now that you know what attracts mice to the hutch, you can take steps to prevent them from getting in. There are a few different things that you can do to keep mice out.
Seal Up Any Openings to Keep Mice Out
The first step is to make sure that there are no openings that mice can use to get into the hutch. This means sealing up any cracks or holes that you may find. You can use a variety of materials to seal these openings, including:
- Caulking
- Wire mesh
- Expanding foam
It is important to make sure that the openings are completely sealed. Mice are tiny and can squeeze through very small spaces.
You should also check the bottom of the hutch to make sure that there are no openings that mice can use to get in. If there are, you may need to attach a piece of hardware cloth to the bottom of the hutch. This will help to keep mice out.
Use Traps or Poison (Safely)
If you have mice in the hutch, you may need to use traps or poison to get rid of them. There are a variety of different traps that you can use, including:
- Snap traps
- Glue boards
- Live traps
When using these traps, it is important to place them in areas where you have seen mice. This will help to increase the chances of catching the mouse.
If you decide to use poison, it is important to use it safely. There are a few things that you need to keep in mind when using poison. First, you need to make sure that the poison is out of reach of children and pets. Second, you need to read the label carefully and follow the directions.
Never use mouse poison in the hutch. This can be dangerous for your rabbits.
Properly Store The Food
Another way to prevent mice from getting into the hutch is to properly store the food. You should never leave food out overnight. This will attract mice and other pests.
Keep The Hutch Clean
Another way to prevent mice from getting into the hutch is to keep it clean. Mice are attracted to dirty places. If the hutch is clean, they will be less likely to want to get in.
You should clean the hutch regularly. This will help to keep it free of dirt and debris.
Use Strong-Smelling Deterrents
Another way to keep mice out of the hutch is to use strong-smelling deterrents. There are a few different things that you can use, including:
- Peppermint oil
- Cayenne pepper
- Garlic
- Onions
These items will help to keep mice away. You can either place them in the hutch or around the perimeter of the hutch.
Consider Moving The Hutch
If you have tried all these tips and are still having mice problems, you may want to consider moving the hutch. Mice are attracted to places that are warm and dark. Moving the hutch to a different location may make them less likely to want to get in.
You should also make sure that the hutch is in a well-lit area. This will help to keep mice away.
Taking these steps will help to prevent mice from getting into the hutch. By making the hutch less attractive to mice, you will be less likely to have problems with them.
Don’t Ignore The Issue
Mice can be a problem for rabbit hutches. They can enter through small openings and are attracted to food that is left out overnight. There are a few things that you can do to prevent mice from getting into the hutch, including:
- Sealing up any openings
- Using traps or poison
- Storing the food in a sealed container
- Cleaning the hutch regularly
- Using strong-smelling deterrents
- Moving the hutch
By taking these steps, you will help to prevent mice from getting into the hutch. This will help to keep your rabbits safe and healthy.
