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Rabbits

animal

Sylvilagus spp.

Herbivores that clip stems cleanly at 45-degree angles. Especially damaging to young plants and bark.

Identification

Clean 45-degree angle cuts on stems (vs ragged deer damage). Droppings (round pellets). Bark gnawed cleanly on young trees in winter.

Damage & Symptoms

Seedlings clipped at base. Clean-cut damage. Bark girdling on young trees (winter).

Organic Control

2-3 ft chicken wire fence (buried 6 inches). Individual plant cages. Repellent sprays. Hardware cloth around tree trunks.

Chemical Control

Not applicable.

Prevention

Fencing (2-3 ft, buried 6 inches). Hardware cloth tree guards. Remove brush piles near garden. Dogs. Hawk perches.

Data confidence: medium | Source: curated_ipm