Rabbits destroying lawn

[Metric Max]

I am fortunate in having a rural property with about 4 acres of garden which is almost all lawn which I mow and it has always looked excellent.
However, this year we are inundated with rabbits, often I see at least 6 out there, the problem being that they dig dam great holes everywhere to the extent that anyone walking on the lawn risks a damaged ankle.
I have tried one of these with limited sucess, they are very directional and limited in range. These are mains powered and mounted on an outbuilding.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/256629402449?itmmeta=01...

I am now considering trying a couple of there which are solar powered and therefore can be situated anywhere

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/365769069504?_trkparms=...


Although I would be happy to shoot them but for various reasons this is not an option.The ground is heavy Wealden clay
On adjacent land there is dense undergrowth where they may have their burrows but would never be able to locate them
Has anyone expeience with these devices or another way to solve the problem?
I have tried filling in the holes with topsoil but the next day they've dug it all out. Tried laying squares of chicken wire over the holes which works but they simply dig elsewhere, also I have to pick them (about 70) up before I can mow
Any ideas please?

Edited by Metric Max on Sunday 17th August 13:55

[gareth h]

I think your options are probably fencing the property, or a friendly local ferreter

[greygoose]

We’ve got a lot of rabbits at work and every six months some men come with ferrets and flush out the burrow and take them away, they always seem to leave a couple to keep themselves in a job, but I think that or shooting is the only real option unless you want to dig fences down deep into the ground to try and stop them.

[Bill]

Get a dog?

[Metric Max]

Fencing is not an option with hedges all round and I know that you have to dig it down a long way, the ground is currently like rock, in winter like very heavy toffee.
I don't think they are burrowing on my land, but thanks for the replies
I've even tried pi**ing on the areas with lots of holes!

[SlimJim16v]

Bill said:

Get a dog?

Or a cat?

[Inbox]

Get an air rifle and then find a local zoo with some lions who might like a regular treat.

[AlexC1981]

Whenever these threads come up I really do not get why anyone would rather sit outside with a beer and look at some grass instead of a bunch of rabbits scampering and playing. I would love to have wild rabbits in my garden

You have four acres, what about leaving an area of grass uncut for the rabbits and seed it with wildflowers? I'm guessing the rabbits will stay there undercover rather than risk exposure on an open lawn.

[Dusty964]

Spray a load of Jay's fluid down the holes.
They generally leave due to the stink.

[Metric Max]

Inbox said:

Get an air rifle and then find a local zoo with some lions who might like a regular treat.

I have an air rifle but due to the very basic sight on it and an arthric neck I'm an especially rotten shot

[Metric Max]

Dusty964 said:

Spray a load of Jay's fluid down the holes.
They generally leave due to the stink.

Now that's an idea, and if it works, an inexpensive one
On second thoughts having looked at the price, maybe not inexpensive!

[Dusty964]

Metric Max said:

Dusty964 said:

Spray a load of Jay's fluid down the holes.
They generally leave due to the stink.

Now that's an idea, and if it works, an inexpensive one
On second thoughts having looked at the price, maybe not inexpensive!

Dilute it. Use dettol. Anything that is particularly strong smelling.

Personally....hw77 .22 air rifle and jobs a good 'un.

[sherman]

What does the ground have to do with shooting them?
You dont need a 50 cal rifle to shoot rabbits.

The most basic air rifle with small scope for accuacy will suffice.

[Inbox]

Metric Max said:

Inbox said:

Get an air rifle and then find a local zoo with some lions who might like a regular treat.

I have an air rifle but due to the very basic sight on it and an arthric neck I'm an especially rotten shot

Machine gun then?

Seriously, maybe a visit to the local gun shop, sure they will know someone who needs some extra practice.

[sherman]

Metric Max said:

Inbox said:

Get an air rifle and then find a local zoo with some lions who might like a regular treat.

I have an air rifle but due to the very basic sight on it and an arthric neck I'm an especially rotten shot

Buy a better sight and a bipod then.

[M1AGM]

AlexC1981 said:

Whenever these threads come up I really do not get why anyone would rather sit outside with a beer and look at some grass instead of a bunch of rabbits scampering and playing. I would love to have wild rabbits in my garden

You have four acres, what about leaving an area of grass uncut for the rabbits and seed it with wildflowers? I'm guessing the rabbits will stay there undercover rather than risk exposure on an open lawn.

Sounds nice. Some problems occur with rabbits left to do their thing.

They leave st everywhere. They dig into the ground. They multiply at an alarming rate. Cute bunnies hopping about can very quickly become a nightmare.

Leaving an uncut area will simply give rabbits somewhere to hide when they;ve finished munching on all the fresh grass shoots from the cut lawn area. Rabbits will seek out the freshest juiciest grass shoots. I’ve had them cross fields of grass to get to my lawn.

Often if the bunny population gets too high nature introduces disease to wipe them out, as they eat their own st it can be quite quick to spread. Otherwise the options are fencing (you can achieve a decent barrier using chicken wire and installing it so the wire extends 6-10 inches along the ground so they cannot burrow under easily, instead of digging the wire in), shooting, or poison. I use the first 2 methods and have gone from downtown rabbit central to no rabbits in 2 years.

[The Three D Mucketeer]

If you've got 4 acres , create a big soil bank and give them a home ... if they have a nice place to burrow they will leave your lawn alone.

Plant a few lettuces and carrots and stop being a miserable bugger .... pigeons are a lot more trouble

How much space do you need ?? all 4 Acres of lawn ? or meadow ?... Besides that the rabbits were probably there before you

Edited by The Three D Mucketeer on Sunday 17th August 16:41

[Metric Max]

We have pigeons and they really are no problem

[The Three D Mucketeer]

Metric Max said:

We have pigeons and they really are no problem

You obviously don't grow anything
Rabbits never touch my quality lawn ... they just eat my flowers
A lot of rabbits in my area have had Mixy this year , I guess because of increased fleas with heat and that's a horrible disease.

Edited by The Three D Mucketeer on Sunday 17th August 15:41

[rallye101]

Hammering frozen carrots into the lawn?........sorry!