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Lawn & Garden Pests · Pest guide

Rabbits control

Clean-cut stems and gnawed bark: fencing, repellents and resistant plants.

When to call a pro

Rabbits at a glance

Scientific name
Sylvilagus floridanus (eastern cottontail)
Size
14 to 18 inches (35–45 cm)
Appearance
Brown-gray fur, white cottontail, long ears
Where found
Gardens, lawns, shrub beds, young trees
  • Health riskLow
  • Property damageModerate
  • Do it yourself?Usually DIY
When rabbits are active Peak: Apr–Aug
  1. Jan Active
  2. Feb Active
  3. Mar Active
  4. Apr Peak
  5. May Peak
  6. Jun Peak
  7. Jul Peak
  8. Aug Peak
  9. Sep Active (this month)
  10. Oct Active
  11. Nov Active
  12. Dec Active

Low Active Peak This month

Signs to look for

  • Stems clipped cleanly at a 45-degree angle
  • Round pea-sized droppings
  • Gnawed bark near the ground in winter

Call a professional when

  • Heavy damage to orchards or nurseries
How to choose a pest control company

Quick prevention

  • Fence beds with 2-foot chicken wire buried a few inches
  • Guard young tree trunks in winter
  • Choose rabbit-resistant plants

Our rabbits guides are being researched. Meanwhile, the profile above covers the signs, the risks and when to call a professional.

Keep rabbits out

  1. Fence beds with 2-foot chicken wire buried a few inches
  2. Guard young tree trunks in winter
  3. Choose rabbit-resistant plants

Often confused or found together

All lawn & garden pests
Groundhogs Big burrows under sheds and decks, and a hungry appetite for gardens. Voles Surface runways across the lawn and girdled tree bark. Stray Cats Keeping outdoor cats out of gardens humanely, and where to get help with strays.