Rabbits eat hosta? New one on me. I had trouble with rabbits eating flowers in my front beds. They are territorial. I got droppings from the neighbor's hutched domestic rabbits. Sprinkled liberally in my flower beds. No more rabbit issues. It is cheap, easy, unending source of droppings. Has the benefit of fertilizing, and no chemicals as well. If I went to the trouble to trap a rabbit--I would not relocate it, get my drift.

you start.. BEFORE the rabbit procreates.. dont you think...

now there is where the real math starts ...

i presume he knows the season.. and its all legal.. etc ...

oh God.. i looked at the calender... peeps.. beware ... her tax season ends on monday.. lol.. be prepared ..

ken

I use a deer, rabbit repellent made from a couple of eggs (an ingredient in many repellents), tablespoon or so of Cajan Pepper (or any pepper), squirt of dishwashing liquid in water to fit a maybe a quart and a half spray bottle.

Place ingredients in a blender and mix well. Strain through cheese cloth and then spray on hosta, evergreens...anything. Probably works as well as Liquid Fence and the cost is a small fraction. Maybe $10-$15 a season versus $150.

I think your neighbor would have great job security and a very tidy income while enjoying his hobby,he would probably be more expensive than Liquid Fence. He would also be violating the laws regarding discharge of firearms within so many feet of a dwelling, I'm quite sure.

Jon

Edit:

Eggs

Rotten eggs are a main ingredient in Liquid Fence. The strong, putrid smell is a natural repellent to animals. Deer and rabbits smell the eggs up to two weeks after the smell dissipates. The egg solids in Liquid Fence are environmentally safe. According to a study conducted by the Auburn University Deer Pen Facility, the most effective products for repelling deer are putrescent egg solids.

According to Garden Guides.com

This post was edited by jonnyb023 on Sat, Apr 13, 13 at 8:28

I assume he knows the law regarding trapping rabbits even if he is releasing them. If he is illegal you will be guilty as a conspirator Gesila. I think it would be a waste of money. I have seen rabbits run down my street from a block away when my lawn clover had the little white flowers that they love apparently. I don't think you would want to take on such a large population of rabbits from such a large area, would you?
Rabbits have eaten my tomatoes and other veggies but only when the plants are young and tender. I have seen no evidence of hostas being on their menu. Pepper based home brews really do work and aren't expensive to make.
Make friends with a falconer with a Redtail or Harris hawk and invite him or her over during hunting season. It is fun watching the birds hunt and you will probably make a good friend happy.
Theresa

Interesting. You would still need repellant because as he removes rabbits, new ones will want to move in. Still it's fun to think about it.
Beverly

If rabbbits were eating my hosta, I'm not sure I would care, but animals that are removed and released elsewhere usually don't survive.

bk

We had rabbits eating the hosta for several years. They were only a problem in early spring when things were tiny. Once the hosta were bigger they were not interested. I imagine by then there were other things available for them to eat.

A red tail hawk moved into the neighborhood a few years back. I never even see a rabbit now.

Sorry, my mistake. I glanced over the post quickly and assumed he was shooting the rabbits.

As someone already pointed out it's illegal to re-locate pest animals in many states so do be sure to check the laws in your state.

You need a fox in the neighborhood. We would always see a rabbit or two in our yard sprint away when we drove home. Then over a year ago neighbors spotted a fox......much rarer to see a rabbit now.

Paul

I have only grown hostas for ten years,this year,but last year was the first,and this year the second year that they have even nibbled,and only the tender shoots. After the hostas are up and growing,they never even bother anymore. The new leaves soon cover any evidence of it,so I really don't worry about it! Yes we have lots of rabbits in the area,but they only come out at night to eat. Right now my plants are growing so fast that I won't have any more problems the rest of hostas season. Phil

He's probably eating them. It's a good deal for everyone. You get rid of the bunnies and he gets you to pay for his dinner.

Steve

I must have a big rabbit, seems to mow down crocuses, then leaves a pile of big droppings. Reminds me to add chicken wire into the lower part of my fence.

Nothing chewing my hosta yet, although my little Dolly puppy must be in training to be a "darling demon doglet" like BKay's Cleo. Yeah, I potted up Gosan Sunproof today and turned around to find her nibbling on a couple of its small eyes. That was my add-on to the Hallson order, which arrived Thursday afternoon.