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bmpsab
Citizen
Username: Bmpsab
Post Number: 223
Registered: 3-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 17, 2006 - 10:57 am: | 
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I have a rabbit who is esconced on my front lawn and has been busy digging a hole and basically destroying the yard. I now have a muddy patch about a foot and half in diameter where there used to be green grass. The rabbit has been quite protective about the hole, and will only run away when I get within 6 feet of it. Even then, it hides in a nearby bush, and returns to the hole a few minutes after I shoo it away.
I don't know if the rabbit is building a warren or is using the hole as a breeding den. Either way, I don't want it there, but I don't know the best way to get rid of it. I tried pouring Tabasco sauce over the mud and in the hole, but that didn't seem to do anything. I contemplated filling in the hole with other material, but I didn't want to bury alive any baby rabbits that might be in there. Short of hiring a rabbit "hit man", is there anything I can do to make the rabbit get the hint that it (and his brood) is not welcome and should leave? |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 7694
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 17, 2006 - 11:01 am: |
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Can't they stay until they grow up? If you trap the momma and relocate, the babies will die.
I ran my car into the woods this morning on 202 south to avoid hitting a family of ducks trying to cross with their babies, so I'm a bad person to ask. |
Monster©
Supporter
Username: Monster
Post Number: 3226
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 17, 2006 - 11:13 am: |
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wabbit stew, wabbit stew, wabbit stew, wabbit stew, wabbit stew, wabbit stew, wabbit stew, wabbit stew, wabbit stew.... |
bmpsab
Citizen
Username: Bmpsab
Post Number: 224
Registered: 3-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 17, 2006 - 11:14 am: |
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I don't know if there is a family there; it just seems like a likely possibility.
I guess I want the rabbit gone for both asthetic and safety reasons. The rabbit and his hole is right in the middle of my front yard, so it looks bad. Also, if I just ignore the problem, then I'm concerned that there will be more rabbits, more holes, more tunnels, and pretty soon my front, side, backyard and god knows where else will be overrun with them. One rabbit who visits ocassionally is cute. A family of rabbits who dig up your yard and eat your flowers is not. |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 7696
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 17, 2006 - 11:26 am: |
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Random, unhelpful thought: have you seen Wallace and Grommit? |
Monster©
Supporter
Username: Monster
Post Number: 3229
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 17, 2006 - 11:32 am: |
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yeah, suck it up! |
shoshannah
Citizen
Username: Shoshannah
Post Number: 1248
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 17, 2006 - 11:37 am: |
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The rabbit is preparing to give birth. After the babies are born, the mother will leave the babies behind in the nest for most of the day and return in the evening. The family will remain there for about two weeks, then the mother will put the babies out on their own.
We had the exact same situation a few years ago on our lawn. We did a little Internet research and learned that is is common for mother rabbits to set up a nest in plain sight in the middle of a suburban lawn. Just be careful when you mow. |
Calliope
Citizen
Username: Calliope
Post Number: 213
Registered: 3-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 17, 2006 - 11:56 am: |
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Shoshannah beat me to it--- what she said...
I always have nesting rabbits,front and back, but they don't last long (and the neighborhood cats usually make short work of the bunnies) I put bamboo stakes around the nest (which is usually just fluff and grass)so the lawn guys didn't inadvertently make hasenpheffer. I also gave up my herb garden---it was just a bunny 'all-you-can-eat' salad bar.
This is another sign of human encroachment on habitat. Rabbits are adaptable, but those of us who seek a nice lawn and maybe some fresh parsley etc. may find it difficult to adapt to them.
On a brighter note, they are not like birds, and don't seem to return to the same nesting site every year.
()()
=x= |
Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 11540
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 17, 2006 - 12:31 pm: |
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Greenie, have fun explaining that one to your insurance company. 
We luv our bunnie wabbits. Mrs. K has even named them, along with a couple of chipmunks.
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bmpsab
Citizen
Username: Bmpsab
Post Number: 225
Registered: 3-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 17, 2006 - 12:36 pm: |
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Thanks for the input. I guess I can deal with our "visitor" for the next two week so long as I don't have to deal with an army of rabbits camped out all summer long on my front lawn. |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 7699
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 17, 2006 - 12:37 pm: |
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Bob - I didn't hit anything. Including the ducks, who ran back into the woods. I hope they stay there, but they are surrounded by 202N on one side and 202s, a median strip and then 287s on the other (the direction they were going). I'm really afraid for them.
Besides, are you saying that my insurance company would be so heartless as to think I should have run them over rather than damage my front end? Or, worse, get hit in the rear by the guy behind me who was hitting his brakes and swerving into the other lane. |
Zoesky1
Citizen
Username: Zoesky1
Post Number: 1504
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 17, 2006 - 1:06 pm: |
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I have similar bunny holes in my backyard, currently being used by a bunny and some chipmunks (I think the latter inherited a hole from years past). At first, everyone was telling me to fill the holes in, and I was planning on it. But my kids love the rabbit and chipmunks, and they aren't bothering me now at all. They're even managing to co-exist with my dog somehow. I guess he's not much of a hunter. Anyway, I don't have any advice for you. I'm lucky it's my backyard, I guess, or I'd have to come up with something myself. |
Jersey_Boy
Citizen
Username: Jersey_boy
Post Number: 862
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 17, 2006 - 2:11 pm: |
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Tabasco?
J.B. |
HOMMELL
Citizen
Username: Hommell
Post Number: 180
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 17, 2006 - 4:23 pm: |
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Warn him/her about an impending reval. Or threaten to bring the Tau to your front lawn at his/her expense. Or show him/her what happens to bears around here. |
shoshannah
Citizen
Username: Shoshannah
Post Number: 1250
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 17, 2006 - 6:37 pm: |
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So far no rabbits have come back to nest on my property. But it was fun while they were there. The kids went out every day to check on them. We'd gently brush aside the loose grass cover and expose four or five baby bunnies rolling around under the ground. |
Jersey girl
Citizen
Username: Critterlover
Post Number: 32
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 17, 2006 - 6:50 pm: |
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And there is little that is sweeter to observe than newly born baby bunnies!
I can imagine the delight of the children and adults alike, in seeing them in their den!
As was pointed out, this is most likely a mamma who either has babies or is about to give birth. If you leave her alone, she will have her babies and they will move on, unless you do what I did, and plant an herb garden so they can eat and enjoy in the safety and privacy of their own yard, LOL!
I switched to potted flowers on my screen porch while the bunnies feasted on my flowers and herbs, and I did some hanging baskets as well. I just think tabasco is a bit harsh to use on a mamma and babies.
Jersey Girl
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Mayor McCheese
Supporter
Username: Mayor_mccheese
Post Number: 1476
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, May 18, 2006 - 3:11 am: |
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"The rabbit is preparing to give birth. After the babies are born, the mother will leave the babies behind in the nest for most of the day and return in the evening."
That sounds like easy pickin's for soup. |
snowmom
Citizen
Username: Snowmom
Post Number: 14380
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, May 18, 2006 - 8:16 am: |
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Many consider it very good luck to have rabbits/ bunnies living on their property..msny invite them into their homes as GUESTS (NOT dinner) |
K_soze
Citizen
Username: K_soze
Post Number: 229
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, May 18, 2006 - 8:38 am: |
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Shenandoah Valley Rabbit Casserole
RabbitSalt & pepperThymeBay leavesBaconWaterSeasoned bread crumbs
Cut rabbit into serving pieces (avoid sack in gall bladder). Soak young rabbit 1 to 2 hours, older ones soak 12 to 18 hours in 1 teaspoon salt per quart of water. After soaking wrap meat in damp cloth and store overnight in cold place. Butter a casserole dish and add layers of rabbit pieces; sprinkle with salt, pepper, 1/2 teaspoon thyme and 3 bay leaves. Add 5 slices bacon. Repeat until all rabbit is used.
Pour 1 cup water over casserole. Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 1 to 2 hours or until tender. Remove cover and sprinkle with 1 cup seasoned bread crumbs. Bake another 30 minutes and serve
DISCLAIMER: To any and all animal lovers, this post is meant to be a joke, please do not yell at me or call the animal police or protest in front of my house
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greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 7704
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, May 18, 2006 - 9:30 am: |
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Sorry, K. I appreciate the sentiment, but Mem's recipe's are much easier to read.
Try a line-by-line format. |
Jersey girl
Citizen
Username: Critterlover
Post Number: 35
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, May 18, 2006 - 1:34 pm: |
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Oh you cruel heartless ones!
Jersey Girl |
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