General description of the hare

Hares are mammals of the Leporidae family, often confused with rabbits due to their similar appearance. However, hares are distinguished by their long ears, large, powerful hind legs, and ability to reach top speeds of up to 45 mph (72 km/h), which allows them to quickly flee from predators. Adapted to a variety of habitats, hares are found in grasslands, open forests, suburbs, tundras, and desert areas. Some species, such as the Arctic hare, have specific adaptations to cold environments, changing color to camouflage themselves in the snow during the winter.

Unlike rabbits, hares are born with their eyes open and are fully covered in fur, allowing them to move around and feed shortly after birth. Hares prefer to live solitary or in small groups, and rather than underground burrows, they dig small cavities called "forms" for resting and hiding. Their diet consists mainly of grasses, leaves, buds, and bark, with seasonal variations depending on the available vegetation. As herbivores, they play a vital role in seed dispersal and vegetation regulation.

Hares have relatively short lifespans in the wild, due to their vulnerability to animals such as foxes and coyotes, and they face threats such as habitat destruction and climate change, which affect the availability of their food and the stability of their natural habitats.

These fascinating animals, with their unique adaptations and behavior, are remarkable examples of resilience and adaptability in diverse ecosystems.

How to Get Rid of Wild Rabbits in Your Garden: Simple, Humane Solutions

Have you noticed that your plants are being nibbled and your vegetable garden is being ravaged? The culprits could well be wild rabbits. These adorable little animals can cause a lot of damage, whether you live in the countryside or the suburbs. Fortunately, there are effective ways to protect your plants without harming these creatures.

How to identify the presence of rabbits

Spotting signs of rabbits is the first step in protecting your garden. These animals are usually active at dawn and dusk, making them difficult to spot during the day. However, there are some signs that can indicate their presence:

• Gnawed Plants : If your plants are cut to the ground or have bare stems, this is a typical sign of rabbit activity.
• Damaged Bark : The bottom of your woody plants may be bare, another telltale sign.
• Droppings : Small round droppings scattered around your yard are another telltale sign.
• Paw Prints : You may see distinctive prints, with five toes on the front paws and four longer toes on the back.

If you've noticed these signs, it's likely that rabbits are responsible.

Protecting your garden: practical and environmentally friendly solutions

Here are some tips to prevent rabbits from attacking your garden or protected areas:

1. Install a protective fence

The most reliable method to prevent rabbits from accessing your vegetable garden is to install a fine mesh wire fence. Here's how to do it:

• Choose the right height : For the most common species, a fence 90 cm high may be sufficient, but for maximum protection, opt for a height of 1.2 metres.
• Bury the fence : Rabbits are adept diggers. Be sure to bury your fence at least 6 inches deep to discourage them from digging and crawling under it.

2. Use Natural Repellents

For a gentle and eco-friendly approach, natural repellents are a great option:

• Repellents : Apply repellents that are safe for animals, plants, and the environment around your yard or in areas where rabbits hide, such as under stairs or sheds. The online exterminator has an effective and safe repellent, KONK
• Eliminate shelters : Remove plant debris and other objects that could provide shelter for rabbits.

3. Temporary and lasting solutions

Some methods can provide a temporary or long-term solution to keep rabbits away:

• Visual Devices : Placing a plastic owl or aluminum plates that swing in the wind may scare rabbits, but they will eventually get used to it.
• Automatic Motion-Sensing Sprinklers : Rabbits hate getting wet. Install a motion-activated sprinkler to deter them from approaching your plants.

4. Raised planters

A simple solution to protect your crops is to use raised beds. By placing your plants out of reach of rabbits, you greatly reduce the risk of your crops being destroyed.

5. Use harmless cages

If your problems still persist despite trying some methods, you can use cages with baits to attract the rabbits inside before the rabbits can infiltrate your garden. Inspect the cages every morning and release the captured rabbits in a forest or park further away from your home. The online exterminator has Havart cages that are effective and safe for animals.

Dangers and damage caused by wild rabbits (hares)

Wild rabbits, although not as serious a risk as some other pests, can still cause various inconveniences, especially in gardens and agricultural areas.

Material damage and impacts on plantations

Rabbits, like hares, are herbivores and feed on plants, grasses, vegetables and tree bark, making them particularly destructive to gardens and agricultural crops. They can nibble on young shoots, bulbs and even tree bark, sometimes causing the death of young trees. Crop damage can be significant, as rabbits often travel in groups and consume large amounts of vegetation when they find a favourable food source.

Health risks

Although rare, there are some risks of disease transmission with wild rabbits. They can carry parasites such as fleas and ticks, which can transmit diseases to humans and pets. Wild rabbits can also carry tularemia, a bacterial infection that can be transmitted through direct contact with infected animals or through tick and flea bites. This disease can cause symptoms such as skin ulcers, fevers, and swollen lymph nodes.

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