Little pool party in the backyard and the spousal unit tells me there are animals in the umbrella . . . . http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3vUn9kc52o

[NYCFred]

yeah, always kinda fun. I remember a lot of the girls friends, and the kids here at the beach, from like the age of 4.

 

[Petri]

Garlic, "shmarlic." They usually eat all the bugs. Just keep your tetanus shots (and others) up to date. They are, usually, harmless to humans.

.. unless it gets stuck in you hair.

 

[Voosh]

Any difference between a spider, sea weed or sparrow stuck in your hair?

 

[bto]

Yes, now every time I put the umbrellas up, I'm putting on a HAT, lol!!
Now, could someone tell me how to get rid of the darn rabbits who are devouring every beautiful pink hibiscus and various other flowering plants in my yard?

I have actually resorted to toting around my son's airsoft gun which is a replica of some machine gun used in warfare....the neighbors are getting nervous!!

For years we've not had rabbits but we had owls...this summer, no owls, go figure...we do have coyotes and foxes daily so I keep hoping those darn rabbits will be gone. Open to advice, rabbit hunters !!!

 

[andynap]

Bev- look at this site for traps and repellants for rabbits

Havahart

 

[bto]

Andy, we've sprayed and put repellent out continuously this summer....I'm at my wits end with them. I have tried several different repellants AND a trap, which I really prefer not to use.
Pray for foxes!

 

[MIke R]

I'm very surprised you have rabbits with foxes and coyotes...we have foxes, coyotes, owls, and fisher cats, who all take care of the rabbits...do you have dogs?

 

[andynap]

Bev- the trap doesn't harm the rabbits- it just catches them and you take them for a ride and let them out- unless of course you like cooked rabbit. LOL

Also, take a look at this repellant- I have it and Nothing will come near it- it stinks to high heaven
Animal Repellant

 

[bto]

Mike, no dog anymore but the neighbors on all sides have them...the owls used to take care of the rabbits and they'd hunt out of the trees in my back yard but they seem to be staying in the woods this summer. The fox family and the coyotes are hanging out more than usual so it may be a matter of time.

It appears to be ONE rabbit doing all the damage and he has taken up residence under a big pine tree that he is surely damaging.

Andy...that's the stuff we sprayed last and you are right, it stinks! This silly rabbit doesn't seem to mind it though. I just don't have time for the traps and there ain't no way in h__l I'm putting a critter in the car with me, cage or not, lol!!!

 

[MIke R]

the reason I ask is dog urine scent will keep some predators, such as foxes, and most notably bears, away from your property perimeter.....

shoot the damn thing....they are easy to shoot
they make wonderful sausage

 

[NYCFred]

put him in the TRUNK...

I operated a very successful 'Possum relocation plan" when we lived in the NJ suburbs. havahart trap works like a charm.

Had a couple of REALLY po'd possums...LOL
big suckers, too.

 

[bto]

Well, Fred, I have a small SUV so the trunk is really inside, lol...but, the reality is that no one at my house has time to deal with this trap...my son set it and then conveniently forgot about it...I don't want the silly rabbit to croak in the darn thing...Plus, I read that relocating any animal is really stressful for it. I did drain a bottle of Louisiana Hot Sauce around the tree once and he seemed to stay away for a week or so...

 

[andynap]

I read that relocating any animal is really stressful for it.

This rabbit is eating all your plants and you are worried about stressing it- LOL. Fagetaboutit Bev.

 

[MIke R]

SHOOT IT!!!!!!!!!

 

[NYCFred]

SHOOT IT!!!!!!!!!

uh-oh. the airsoft gun ain't gonna do it.
anybody got a .22?

(then wrap it in dry ice and overnite to Andy. He's got a BIIIIG spit over his grill...)

 

[MIke R]

I'm sure Glenn Close is available these days to help out...she seems pretty good with this sort of thing

 

[NYCFred]

I'm sure Glenn Close is available these days to help out...she seems pretty good with this sort of thing

yeah, but she DROWNED hers, right? A little up close and personal...

 

[MIke R]

whatever it takes........

 

[Cheri]

Hey Bev! As I told you, our yard is terraced and we have only had problems with rabbits on our lower level eating the hostas (not sure why they aren't on the pool level as there are more rabbit "goodies" up there than down below). So, after trying a stinky spray which seemed to just wash off in the rain, I resorted to putting green chicken wire around the hostas. It was unsightly but it finally did the trick as this year the rabbits finally moved on and my hostas are doing much better. I don't know how large of an area of plants your rabbits are eating, but you might try the chicken wire. Also, another remedy I've heard is to sprinkle human hair cuttings around the plants. I've never tried it because I thought that too would eventually wash away in the rain. Anyway, now we just have moles in the upper garden beds that I wish I could somehow squash without having to hire one of the "whack-a-mole" services.

Cheri

 

[bto]

Cheri, I'd have to buy a LOT of chicken wire but that may be a last resort. For the moles, have Larry call Tom....he bought something that did the trick and they went to all the neighbors' yards...until they bought it too...something he sticks in the ground that emits a beep...no more moles though.

Andy, I don't want to hurt the rabbits, just get them to leave my yard...like I said, it's the first time I've ever had a problem and have always planted the same plants in those spots.....it's a good sized rabbit too. The airsoft gun doesn't do squat, Fred...thought it might at least scare him off.