5 Essential Oils That Repel Rabbits

Rabbits can be one of the cutest animals, hoping around and wiggling their little noses.

But while most people find them cute, they can be a nuisance to gardeners and farmers because they eat plants, flowers, and shrubs.

So, what can you do about these pesky little critters?

Well, one of the things you should know is that rabbits have a strong sense of smell, which they need to locate food. You can take advantage of this by using essential oils to deter them from your garden.

But what essential oil repels rabbits?

Rabbits can eat your plants and vegetables. But with the help of the essential oils below, you should be able to repel them.

5 Essential Oils That Can Repel Rabbits

Essential oils are plant compounds used by people for aromatherapy.

It’s a form of alternative medicine that some say can support health and well-being.

But besides that, they can also repel rabbits. And below are five that can help keep them away from your plants:

1. Garlic Oil

If you cook, then you must be very familiar with garlic.

And while it’s an essential ingredient for most recipes, it can also be a good repellent for rabbits. That is because of its sharp and spicy aroma.

It’s great for your favorite pasta sauce. But a major turn-off for rabbits. You can buy premade spray in the store or make one of your own.

Mix raw eggs and garlic oil and pour the mixture around your garden or plants. You can add mint to this concoction to make it even less appealing to rabbits.

2. Chili Oil

Another household ingredient you can use to repel rabbits is chili oil.

It can work similarly to hot sauce by inflaming the sensitive nose of rabbits. So it may be great for a chili bowl. But if a rabbit smells the chili on your plants, it will leave immediately.

Why do rabbits hate chili oil? It’s because of the active ingredient called capsaicin, which can irritate the nose. If you whiff at quality chili oil, you’d know why no rabbit will stick their nose to it.

Try looking for chili oil in your local supermarket, mix it with raw eggs, and spread the solution among your plants. Try doing this 1-2 times a week. So the scent is always at its peak.

3. Chive Oil

Another strong-smelling oil you can use as rabbit repellent is chive oil.

Chives have a smell that can irritate the sensitive sinus of rabbits. And they can smell the scent of chives from yards away, like garlic oil.

Plus, if you have extra chive oil, you can use some of it in your dishes. It’s a win-win situation.

You can also plant chives in your garden so that after the gardening season, you can harvest them along with other edible plants.

4. Lavender Oil

Rabbits are herbivores that can eat different plants and flowers. But there are a few ones that they don’t like. And one of them is lavender.

Using lavender oil as a natural rabbit repellent is one of the flower-friendly options you can use for your garden.

While people like the calming scent of lavender, rabbits don’t share the same fascination. And it’s because of its strong scent and painful irritation.

So spraying lavender oil on your garden is not a bad idea. You enjoy a calming smell when you visit your plants while those pesky rabbits avoid your garden.

5. Geranium Oil

Geranium is another plant that can keep rabbits away from your garden. So, it would make sense its oil will do the same.

Because of the geranium products sold in the market, like candles and perfume scents, it’s safe to assume that people have no problem with its smell.

So spraying the oil on your plants from time to time should make your garden visits more pleasurable while ensuring no rabbits will eat your plants.

No Scent Is Better Than the Other

This may seem like a counterargument against the article. But it’s essential to point out that scents may not work well.

Some rabbits may ignore the smell and continue eating your plants.

So to ensure that the pesky critters will not visit your garden, combine using essential oil with other methods.

Conclusion

There’s no denying that rabbits are cute creatures. But they can be a nuisance to gardeners and farmers by eating the plants they worked so hard to grow.

Fortunately, you can repel rabbits away by using essential oils. Some of the ones you can use are garlic oil, chili oil, lavender oil, and geranium oil.

But to ensure no rabbits come to your garden, combine essential oils with other repelling methods.

So if you know anyone asking what essential oils repel rabbits, share this article with them.