how can I get rid of an increasingly large colony of rabbits living under my shed

[Ninjasquirrel]

If you dont want to kill them id try live traps. Just be sure to let them loose far away. Killing is the fastest way but not everyone wants that responsibility and i completely understand.

 

[123RedBeard]

I do not think they deserve to be killed- that is a very horrible way to get rid of them and it could also attract predators which is worse than having a bunch of rabbits.

Then maybe you could volunteer to go collect them, and take care of them till they (and all their offspring) die of old age.

Rabbits dig/burrow ... that shed will loose it's foundation soon!

Actually the predators will COME to look for the rabbits, as they also know that they are tasty! No easy meals, the predators will actually look elsewhere!

 

[True Patriot]

Love the banter. Everyone has their own outlook on how to handle. First, the suggestion on funneling them has merit. If you close off 3 sides you reduce the number of fronts to fight the battle. Bricks or hardware cloth should work, at least until they dig around/under. You can use the time to go with your choice of solution. You could get the sheriff to serve eviction. But it's a lengthy and expensive court battle. How many are you talking about? A family could be 20 or more. Trapping them all would be challenging at best. Dispatching is a viable option. There are humane methods. I have personally not had any results with moth balls. I did have marginal results with fox urine. I don't envy your position, but if left unchecked damage to the shed and yard is inevitable. Also as others have said, predators will start prowling. I don't know if you have any children or other pets but having things hunting your yard is rarely good. Best of luck

 

[lazy gardener]

Moth balls are highly toxic. Even the vapors from them. Rabbits breed like... rabbits. one or two bunnies quickly turns into dozens of bunnies if they are not controlled. As for catch and release: in most areas, it's illegal to transport varmints off your own property to release them elsewhere. If you're gonna catch it, you should own the responsibility of humanely dispatching it. If you don't care to get rid of it and the problems it is causing on your property, you might just as well put up a welcome sign.

Aside from the issue of the mayhem they would cause if they got into my garden, there is also the disease issue. Rabbits are a huge vector for ticks. Lyme disease is a huge issue in my state. That alone is reason enough for me to not invite them onto my property. Hubby and I spent a day with a couple earlier this week. This man has had his life severely disrupted by Lyme disease. He has to travel to Boston on a monthly basis for IV infusions, and will most likely need to be treated for at least a year, if not longer. He suffers neuropathy throughout his body b/c of the Lyme disease. He's in the prime of his life, yet quite disabled b/c of illness caused by tick bite(s).

So, yeah, if presented with the chance, I'll be killing the bunnies.

 

[RWise]

I do not think they deserve to be killed- that is a very horrible way to get rid of them and it could also attract predators which is worse than having a bunch of rabbits.

I have to ask just why getting rid of the rabbits will attract predators?
IMHO the rabbits being there will attract them!

 

[MROO]

Have you got a cat? Some well-placed ... ummm ... clumps .... have been effective for me. I strategically put them around and just inside the tunnel entrances. The rabbits got the idea that there were predators lurking about and moved on.

 

[EasterEggerEthan]

Have you got a cat? Some well-placed ... ummm ... clumps .... have been effective for me. I strategically put them around and just inside the tunnel entrances. The rabbits got the idea that there were predators lurking about and moved on.

I think ILL have to try this one lol.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

.... Killing is the fastest way but not everyone wants that responsibility and i completely understand.

The responsibility that these people are avoiding is the responsibility that they owe to their chickens, not some misplaced loyalty to a rabbet or perhaps to a chicken predator..

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

I do not think they deserve to be killed- that is a very horrible way to get rid of them and it could also attract predators which is worse than having a bunch of rabbits.

If a good shot, they won't even know what hit them.
As far as I know, nobody leaves dead carcasses just lying around their property. Well, unless it's a serial killer, I've read about a few of those weirdos. But, you've got a point, if you leave a dead bunny or two lying atound, maybe that will send a message to the other bunnies -----> No Trespassing!
Actually, I like seeing a bunny or two hopping around my property, it means I have no predators. But, when it becomes a nuisance ... that's when you've got to take action or those cute little bunnies will become destructive.