Rabbits and hares can cause damage to gardens by eating low-growing leaves and gnawing the bark of young trees.

Control

The only really efficient way to keep out rabbits and hares is to fence your garden with wire mesh with holes less than 5 cm (2 in) in diameter, buried in the ground to a depth of at least 30 cm (12 in), and at least 1 m (3 ft) high. Trees can also be protected by wire mesh or tree guards. There are also repellents such as pepper dust available, although these often give limited protection and need frequent re-applications, especially during wet weather.