Stop the cottontails from eating all my bulbs!?

Question

I live in a rural area across from a forest. The local cottontails are very cute, "mow" my lawn and nibble my plants. Lately they've been digging up all my spring bulbs...over 500 of them (bulbs, that is)! This is the 1st time I've had this problem (here for 3 years). How do I keep them out of the unfenced yard without hurting them?

Answer 1

instead of combating nature, work with it. Plant bulbs that they wont touch, like Daffodils.... They are poisonous and nothing will touch them. They will be there forever.... It may seem a little boring , but Daffodils come in many colors and heights and blooming times form early to late.

Answer 2

Catch them one at a time and tell the "Bad Bunny" and let them go again.

It is very unusual for cottontails to dig up bulbs. It is more likely golfers or moles and sometimes squirrels or chipmunks. Once these guys get them dug up then the cottontails will eat them as well as the grass and rest of the plants.

Now if you could get a cat to spray the area where the bulbs are at then the cottontails will be less likely to be around as they are prey for cats.

Have fun with your bunnies.

Answer 3

When planting, place the bulbs under chicken wire first then cover with dirt - the wire will deter their best intentions! The flowers will sprout regardless of the wire "cage".

Answer 4

Well you could put a fence up or barbwire around them. Run at them, when they are digging your garden up, screaming and waving you arms like a lunatic it will scare them off.

Answer 5

..................Organic Method................
http://www.critter-repellent.com/rabbits/test/rabbits-test-garden-flowerbed.htm

Squirrels eat them too!
..............Previously on YA..........................
http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070225050405AAoexwv