If you find rabbit feces in your yard, dispose of them in your trash container, not your green waste container. It’s essential to keep rabbit species out of your yard completely to prevent future rabbit droppings. You can keep rabbits out by spraying rabbit repellent scents or by growing plants that rabbits dislike, such as marigolds and mint. To get rid of rabbits that have invaded your yard, humanely trap and release the rabbits. Then, install rabbit-proof fencing to prevent these pests from returning.
What Should You Do if Rabbits Poop in Your Yard?
Any rabbit feces in your yard should be picked up using a shovel or pet poop-scooper. Then, the feces should be bagged and thrown into your trash containers. Avoid contact with rabbit poop. Rabbits are wild animals that harbor diseases and parasites. So, be sure that children and pets are kept at a safe distance.
- Use a long-handled tool to scoop rabbit poop from your yard into a bag.
- Seal the bag containing the rabbit poop.
- Dispose of rabbit poop in the trash.
- Never place rabbit poop in a green waste bin.
Do not throw away rabbit poop in a green waste bin. Poop of any kind is biowaste and should not be mixed with grass clippings, tree trimmings, and other natural material. The safest way to dispose of rabbit poop is to scoop it into a bag, completely seal the bag, then throw it away with other non-green trash.
4 Methods to Get Rid of Rabbit Poop in Your Yard
Rabbit feces are a nuisance that can ruin the aesthetics of your yard and make your pets sick if they eat a pile of rabbit pellets. The best way to keep rabbit poop out of your yard is to keep rabbits out completely. Below, we’ll discuss the most common methods of keeping rabbits out of your yard.
Spray Rabbit Repellent
You won’t have to deal with rabbit poop in your yard if rabbits are deterred by the scent of your yard. A rabbit deterrent or repellent will ward rabbits away from your yard. Bottled predator urine is one type of rabbit repellent. When sprayed on fences and other surfaces, it signals to rabbits that predators are near. They will then avoid your yard.
- Repellents like urine from natural predators can help drive away rabbits.
- Chemical repellents can also be used, provided they are safe to use around plants you may consume.
It’s generally more effective to get a chemical repellent instead of predator urine. Use this combination deer and rabbit repellent to protect your yard from pests. Be sure to use additional repellent anywhere you see rabbit trails or another sign of rabbits. If it is safe to do so, spread extra around your tender shoots and on your flower bed. This will keep rabbits from raiding your garden.
Set Humane Traps
Humanely catching rabbits and releasing them elsewhere is an effective way to protect your yard from rabbit poop. Humane rabbit traps that lock rabbits in place can be used to catch and release these pests. Be sure to place traps near rabbit trails and damaged garden plants, as well as underneath buildings. Bait rabbit traps with foods they love—lettuce, carrots, apples, and brussel sprouts.
- Use this humane trap to catch rabbits and prevent them from damaging your yard.
- Place humane traps near rabbit trails, buildings they can hide under, and garden plants they eat.
- Release humanely caught rabbits in a wildlife park or state forest.
- Be aware that rabbit traps may not catch rabbits as quickly as the population can reproduce.
Trapping all of the local rabbits may be a difficult task. Rabbits are wily and reproduce quickly. You may not be able to catch them all fast enough to offset population growth.
Grow Rabbit-Deterring Plants
Most tender plants make a great food source for rabbits but there are some plants that wild rabbits can’t stand the smell of. Basil (either Christmas or spicy globe varieties), lavender, leeks and onions, marigolds, mint, and oregano all deter rabbits. Filling your vegetable gardens with these types of plants can drive rabbits away from your yard.
- Certain plants will drive rabbits away and are less likely to get eaten by them.
- Plant mint, marigolds, and lavender to keep the bunnies at bay.
- Garden vegetables like leeks and onions also work great to deter rabbits.
Even if these plants don’t drive rabbits away by their smell, rabbits will avoid chewing on them. This prevents damage to your garden. Additionally, rabbits will likely search for food elsewhere, preferably in a yard filled with plants they love to eat. If rabbits aren’t eating the plants you’re growing, that means less rabbit poop in your yard.
Install Rabbit-Proof Fencing
Chicken wire is a great barrier and a key component in perimeter fences that keep rabbits out of your yard. This tough but slim mesh can keep out most small mammals and is relatively inexpensive. Simply zip tie chicken wire to a few posts to block rabbit access. If rabbits can’t enter your yard, they can’t poop there.
- Fencing is a great way to protect your yard from animal damage and animal feces.
- Chicken wire is generally considered the best and cheapest means of deterring active rabbits.
Use this chicken wire fence to keep out adult rabbits and other animal species. Be sure to regularly check your fence for damage from larger predators or other animals. A single large hole can render the whole fence ineffective, so you want to catch issues early.
Will Rabbit Poop Hurt Your Lawn?
Rabbit poop is not only fine for your lawn but can even be a good fertilizer for the right plants. The real issue with rabbits comes from them devouring your plants and digging holes everywhere.
- Rabbit fecal pellets can actually be beneficial to your lawn.
- Rabbit poop is unsafe for pets, so it’s best to trash or compost any rabbit pellets quickly.
Rabbit poop can be dangerous to household pets who may eat it. For this reason, toss the poop quickly or make it safe through composting before using it. Be sure to only toss rabbit poop in trash waste and not in green waste bins.
How Long Does Rabbit Poop Take to Decompose?
Typically, rabbit poop will decompose within 180 days. However, you can decompose rabbit poop faster through composing. The decomposition time of rabbit feces depends on many variable factors, including temperature, moisture, and local populations of microbes and insects that might eat the poop.
- Rabbit poo decomposes in roughly 180 days.
- The exact time of rabbit feces decomposition depends on temperature, weather, and other local factors.
- Learn to make compost tea to speed up the decomposition process.
By making compost tea, you can decompose rabbit poop in as little as 3–5 days. To make compost tea, place rabbit fecal pellets in a composting container of at least 5 gallons. Add equal parts organic compost and a half cup of worm food. Lastly, add enough water to fill your container. Let the mixture sit for 3–5 days. You can then use this infusion to fertilize your lawn.
How Do You Stop Rabbits from Pooping in Your Yard?
Rabbit poop needs to be tossed or composted as soon as you find it. While it is beneficial for lawns, it can be unsafe for other animals while it decomposes. To stop rabbits from pooping in your yard, you have to keep them out of your yard completely. Here are a few key things to keep in mind when preventing rabbits from pooping in your yard:
- Rabbit poop should be thrown out or composted as soon as possible.
- Be sure to only throw away rabbit feces in trash waste bins, not in green waste bins.
- Use rabbit repellent, traps, or fencing to keep your yard free from rabbit feces.
- Rabbit pellets won’t hurt your lawn but can hurt your pets if consumed.
- Rabbit feces will decompose naturally in 180 days.
- You can speed up the decomposition process by learning to make compost tea.
Be sure to consult your local garden center for additional advice about combating local pests. They should have plenty of advice to offer on how best to handle local rabbits.