For every iris, lily or rose that you plant in your garden, you put out a welcome mat for bunnies and other critters to come and dine at the leisure.
- Rabbits gotta eat! And sometimes they eat what you have carefully planted and cultivated.
- And if the bunnies in your yard start doing what bunnies do best, (ah-hem!) then you could soon be overrun with hungry, hungry rabbits who think nothing of denuding your favorite plants.
- Don't trap rabbits. In many communities that is illegal.
- But you can discourage them by putting in plants they don't find appetizing, such as Black-eyed Susan, basil, Beard Tongue, geraniums, lavender, marigold and any other sharply-scented pant that may discourage rabbits and other critters.
- If raccoons are your problem, again—no trapping, no poisoning and no harming the animal in any way.
- You may hire a professional to do humane trapping for you.
- Raccoons love eating garbage, so keep a tight lid on what you throw out. Wind chimes or scarecrows can deter critters
- Spray cayenne pepper around areas that you've spotted raccoon, rabbits or chipmunks.
GLT's Grow is your source for sage gardening advice and down-to-earth tips. Host Patrick Murphy and co-host Laura Kennedy are ready to take on all your gardening questions, so submit yours today.
WGLT depends on financial support from users to bring you stories and interviews like this one. As someone who values experienced, knowledgeable, and award-winning journalists covering meaningful stories in central Illinois, please consider making a contribution.
