Rabbits, Rabbits more Rabbits oh n now Himalayan Balsam!!!!

[Gardenmac]

We had two wild rabbits in garden before Christmas, just looked out onto garden and counted 24 rabbits, 6 full size 8 medium and 10 tiny things grazing on the lawn. Went out to see where they are dug in and watched em all leg it and dive under old shed at back of garden. Walked down to have a look and was gobsmacked to see the whole area covered in newly emerged Himalayan Balsam. It's relatively short at the moment so 2 questions

1 How to get rid of the rabbits without killing them, Mrs Mac loves seeing them in the garden...

2. Will a spray of Round Up deal with the balsam? Although Mrs Mac wants to keep this too as its a good source of pollen for our bees...

Edited May 3, 2014 by Gardenmac

[Graham]

Best thing to do with the balsam is pull it up. I have kept a mile section of river clear of it by pulling every single one out. This year after the floods it's sprouting up everywhere. The floods must have brought seed down or uncovered dormant seed. Get the rabbits in the pot:001_smile:

[agg221]

Best thing to do with the balsam is pull it up. I have kept a mile section of river clear of it by pulling every single one out. This year after the floods it's sprouting up everywhere. The floods must have brought seed down or uncovered dormant seed. Get the rabbits in the pot:001_smile:

 

Agree entirely. Balsam is an annual with a very weak root system, so it's easy to pull. So long as it doesn't set seed, it is easily eradicated. The problem comes in natural areas which are not maintained. Rabbit is best stewed

 

Alec

[RobRainford]

Spray it before it drops its seeds. Usually a timeframe of a couple of days between flowering and seeding. The pods burst sending them all over the place.

[Nick Connell]

To get rid of the rabbits with out killing them either rabbit net the garden or build a patio instead of a lawn!

 

 

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[Gardenmac]

Spray it before it drops its seeds. Usually a timeframe of a couple of days between flowering and seeding. The pods burst sending them all over the place.

 

Hi Rob,

Will agricultural strength Glysophate do the job.

[woodyguy]

Yes they're easy to kill with any strength glyphosate but its hardly worth it as they pull up so easily and that makes sure they don't set seed.

[Gardenmac]

To get rid of the rabbits with out killing them either rabbit net the garden or build a patio instead of a lawn!

 

 

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Patio not an option as its about 600sqm. Isn't rabbit netting to keep em out, too late they already in.

[Will Ayers]

Short of killing rabbits there's not a lot you can do. Trapping and releasing vermin is illegal so live trapping them is a no no. They are hardy little things so if you try and make life miserable for them by spraying their warrens with cat pee or whatever other rubbish, then they will find a way to get food anyway. They are like the Silver birch of the animal world. True pioneers, survive anywhere. So kill them or suffer the consequences. I'd opt for a 22 air rifle or get in touch with a ferret owner. If the mrs likes them in the garden then reduce the numbers but leave the young ones and control them. That way they will still be there but without doing the damage that large numbers do. That said its rare, without gassing, to rid a whole warren of bunnies. So shoot them as much as you can.

 

Do cook them or give them to a game dealer though. Want not waste not!

[RobRainford]

Hi Rob,

 

Will agricultural strength Glysophate do the job.

 

 

Yep 360g/l is fine. Make sure you are ticketed and using appropriate chem for near watercourses.