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Gardeners’ Forum: “Rabbits eating strawberry plants”

• Rabbits eating strawberry plants

  Posted by Ruth Kunz on Sunday, May 20, 2007 5:01 pm ADT

  Any suggestions about stopping rabbits from eating strawberry plants, apart from fencing?

  • re: Rabbits eating strawberry plants

    Posted by Stephanie on Tuesday, May 22, 2007 3:55 pm ADT

    Try laying out some bars of "Irish Spring" soap, or other strong smelling bars of soap. Many wild animals can be repelled by the scent of humans, so this may work. You can cut the bars in chunks and place them throughout the bed. Good luck!

  • re: Rabbits eating strawberry plants

    Posted by GeorgeN on Wednesday, May 23, 2007 2:03 pm ADT

    Last year was the first year we had probs with bunnies, and not one berry did we get. I think we will try bloodmeal this year. It's good for the plants and is supposed to repel herbivores. Next year, a bunny-proof fence.

  • re: Rabbits eating strawberry plants

    Posted by Leanne on Thursday, May 24, 2007 11:13 am ADT

    Bloodmeal works well, but you have to reapply after every rainfall. I tried a product called PlantSkydd last year. It was initially developed for deer, but has been tested successfully for rabbits in the United States. Because it hasn't been formally tested for this purpose in Canada, they can't market it for rabbits. It's expensive ($35 for a big bottle), but it works incredibly well. Because it lasts for so long, it ends up being about the same cost as blood meal. It repels them before they chew. It lasts for up to three months. Nothing used to survive in my open front yard ... now they don't touch anything ... hostas, strawberries, pansies, tulips, etc! I bought the product at a garden centre. You can find more out about it online: www.plantskydd.com