Making a homemade rabbit trap is not as difficult as it sounds, and you can complete constructing one within an hour. Once their presence in your garden is confirmed, then go ahead to make a trap. The material requirements include a heavy box, long stick, string, and knife.
Rabbit is a favorite pet for some hobbyists; its snow-white color and smooth fur are some adorable characteristics. However, a rabbit can cause nuisance to the surroundings, if it is not kept in a proper cage. It can survive in both rural and urban environment. As the reproductive rate of rabbit is fast, its population increases within a short duration. In the wild, increase in rabbit population is kept under control by the natural predators like cat, coyote, and fox. But, the problem lies in urban areas, as there are no predatory wild animals. And this is where, making homemade rabbit traps comes into the picture.
► The Need for Making Traps
Many times, hobbyists release domestic rabbits into the wild when the number of pet rabbit increases. At times, those rabbits left in the wild return to nearby landscapes in search of food. They feed on fruits, vegetables, flowering plants, and garden crops. Indeed, rabbits can cause devastating damage to garden plants.
The presence of rabbit destroying your vegetable garden can be confirmed by its droppings. Since rabbits are nocturnal, they usually go unnoticed for several days. In order to control rabbits successfully, you can consider purchasing repellents (available in granular or liquid form) or traps.
You can control the entry of rabbits by making rabbit traps on your own. Homemade rabbit traps can be made with readily available materials.
One thing to be taken care while making the trap box, is the size and weight of the box; the box should be large and heavy enough to fit and hold the rabbit. If the box is light, the wild rabbit may escape from the trap. Also, select a strong and thick stick so that it can hold the weight of the box efficiently.
Making Homemade Rabbit Traps
• The requirements for constructing a rabbit trap are a sturdy box, long stick, string or wire, piece of plywood, screw hook, and knife. It is best to use a large wooden or metal box for making a homemade rabbit trap.
• Before proceeding to the rabbit trap making steps, you can put a screw hook at the center, from inside the box. This screw hook will serve as a hanger for the rabbit’s food. Place the piece of plywood in the garden area where rabbits are expected to visit frequently. Use the stick to prop up the box (adjacent to the plywood); the height of the box should be sufficient to fit the rabbit underneath it.
• Select a vegetable that a rabbit eats (for example, a carrot) and tie it to the string; you can tie several food items along the length of the string. Then, pass the other end of the string through the screw hook and attach it to the stick. While doing so, adjust the string length so that the food is suspended above the ground. When the rabbit tries to eat the food, it will pull the stick and the box will fall, thus trapping the rabbit. This is how you can prepare a rabbit trap at home.
• When a bunny gets trapped inside the box, carefully lift the box along with the plywood. As per your choice, you can release it in a nearby forest or raise it as a pet. If you suspect two or more rabbits visiting your garden, start again from the beginning to lure the others. This homemade rabbit trap can also be used for controlling rodents like rat and mice. In addition, it is also applicable for hunting rabbits in the wild.