Rabbits are an all year round pest, and they love an urban yard to call their home. Like most animals, a rabbit spends most of its day in search of food. Their main diet consists of vegetables, flowers, tree bark and other plants found in most home gardens. This is what attracts them to urban areas and your yard specifically.
Identifying the culprit
Before hopping to the conclusion that your culprit is a rabbit you must first investigate. Twigs and stems that are eaten by rabbits appear to be cleanly cut, as opposed to the ragged tearing that other animals leave when making a meal out of your vegetation. Another clear sign that your property damage is the result of a rabbit could be tracks in the soft soil. Rabbit tracks are normally two small indents next to each other followed by another two a short distance away, showing their hopping pattern. The last and most obvious sign is if you catch the rabbit in the act, their most active times are close to the hours of dawn and dusk.
Preventing rabbits
The best, and most natural way to prevent rabbits from feasting on your prized garden is to build some kind of a barrier. Many people use chicken wire supported by fence posts, however, if you are looking for a more fashionable alternative many people use wooden fences or fence panels. Some people also use repellents depending on what type of garden they have. If you are growing food to be eaten then you may want to stray from chemical alternatives.
If you are going to try and remove the rabbit by yourself be sure to wear safety gloves. Some rabbits may carry diseases such as tularemia which can be transmitted through handling a sick animal. Rabbits also have teeth and possibly catch you with a bite while struggling to escape. Be sure to leave the removal of all animals, including rabbits, to the professionals.