Do Marigolds Keep Rabbits Away?

Do marigolds help keep rabbits away? Here are the facts.

Having rabbits around your yard or garden can pose varying types of problems. These burrowing mammals are attracted to food and shelter. Shelter here refers to places or areas with ample hiding spots.

The overgrazing actions of rabbits will lead to the loss of plant biodiversity.

What more? The feeding activities of these mammals reduce crop yield especially when you have a garden.

Do Marigolds Repel Rabbits?

These and many other issues make rabbits unwelcome around human dwellings unless of course, you want to keep one or more as pets.

This article seeks to find out if marigold does a decent job of repelling rabbits.

Why Marigolds?

Rabbits are known to feed on vegetation.

These consist of a variety of plants. While this is true, not all plants are considered edible. Some do repel them. Now, there have been a lot of claims about the repellent effect of marigolds on rabbits.

Some other pests it’s believed to repel include tomato worms, mosquitoes, Mexican beetles, nematodes, and whiteflies. With such a repellent effect, it’s easy to see why marigold will be considered a rabbit repellent.

So, is this a confirmation of the repellent effect of marigolds on rabbits? Let’s find out!

Can Rabbits Be Repelled With Marigolds?

Like a lot of remedies that don’t work, relying on marigolds to solve your rabbit problem simply won’t work. It isn’t a reliable treatment as these mammals are known to feed around areas where marigold is grown.

This might be a little disappointing for persons who had hoped to deploy such treatment in resolving their rabbit issues.

First off, it’s difficult to identify what Works

Although there are no proven cases of marigold deterring rabbits, you should also know that there are lots of marigold species. About 50 different species of marigolds exist.

Each has its unique scent while others have no distinguishable scent at all.

Aside from the 50 known species of this plant, there are also new hybrids or varieties being introduced every time.

Trying to figure out what species repel rabbits will be a lot of work. More important is the fact that marigold shouldn’t be relied upon as a rabbit repellent as it simply won’t work.

Why Marigold is thought to have Rabbit Repellent Effect

Having found out that marigold plants have little to no repellent effect on rabbits, you may be interested in knowing why it’s recommended as a potential repellent when it doesn’t work.

It’s clearly due to the scents released. There are claims in some quarters that rabbits detest the smell of marigolds.

Such claims haven’t been backed by any scientific research. There have been reports about rabbits munching on certain marigold plant species.

This makes it abundantly clear that marigolds shouldn’t be trusted to provide any repellent effect.

With Marigolds out of the Question, What Else Works?

So far, our focus has been on understanding the repellent effect of marigolds. While it’s clear that marigolds won’t provide the repellent effect you need, we’ll have to find out what works.

There are other plants you can use in place of marigolds, as well as the use of other deterrent methods.

i. Growing Certain Repellent Plants

While these are commonly promoted as having a repellent effect on rabbits, you’ll have to make your findings on their efficacy.

Such rabbit repellent plants include sweet alyssum, Lenten rose, lantana, yarrow, ageratum, red hot poker, cleome, lavender, geranium, juniper, strawflower, bee balm, and salvia.

Other repellent plants to try out include ajuga, vinca, wormwood, begonias, snapdragon, and crown of thorns.

There are also poppy plants, catnip, sunflowers, globe thistle, milkweed, tomatoes, and pepper plants.

ii. Using Other Deterrent Methods

If the use of plant repellents doesn’t seem to be your thing, there are other ways to go about deterring rabbits from your yard. These are simple, yet effective strategies you can put to use immediately.

Treatments include the introduction of predators, installing motion-activated sprinklers, and introducing scents rabbits hate.

Other deterrent methods include installing a strong fence and improving the hygiene of your surroundings.

If you’re confused about these deterrent methods, the following summarized information on each of these should provide the basics about how they work.

• Introducing Predators

Rabbits won’t hang around areas where there’s a perceived threat. You can train your dog to chase away rabbits when they show up.

This is a scare tactic that has proven effective and continues to be. Your dog’s barking alone serves to warn these mammals to stay from your territory.

• Installing Motion-Activated Water Sprinklers

The sudden burst of water which characterizes the workings of a motion-activated sprinkler does a lot to keep out rabbits. It’s considered a scare device that is only triggered when rabbits get too close or cross into unwanted territory.

For this to be effective, it has to be installed within the targeted area.

What more? The motion-activated water sprinkler should be able to cover every point within the garden. With this in place, your garden or yard area should be out of bounds to trespassing creatures.

• Introducing Scents Rabbits Hate

Rabbits will be repelled by certain scents especially when such scents mimic the smell of predator urine. Consider introducing predator urine such as fox or coyote into the area.

Apart from these smells, rabbits also hate the smell of chili peppers, white vinegar, and garlic.

Other smells they hate include sulfur or rotten eggs. You might want to do a little research on these smells to apply them to your treatment.

• Installing a Sturdy Fence

Have you considered putting up a sturdy fence to serve as an obstacle to rabbit presence?

This is a great provision that helps keep your yard and garden free from rabbits. You’ll need to use materials rabbits can’t chew through.

Also, you have the option of fencing your entire property or part of it such as your garden area.

• Improving Hygiene of your Surroundings

Having trash lying around is an open invitation to rabbits.

These destructive mammals will come in search of food in your messy garden. By keeping it clean, you’re effectively preventing future rabbit infestations.

Relying on marigolds to repel rabbits will only defeat your efforts. In place of marigold, we’ve provided several other options to try out.