Garden

[Biftu]

I noticed the leaves of my tomato plants are being eaten by bunnies.  I bought rabbit and deer repellent and it said to reapply after it rains.  Obviously I have to water so I don't get it.  Watering is no different than rain.  Do I need to reapply each time I water?  I sprinkled some on the perimeter where I don't water.  Have you used this type of product?

[Carolina925]

I don't have a rabbit problem yet but I did have a copperhead in my backyard last year. I got snake repellent and have to reapply anytime it gets wet, either from watering or rain. I would guess it's the same with any critter repellent. Good luck! I had to quit growing tomatoes a couple years ago. I didn't have issues with animals eating the leaves, just the squirrels eating my almost-ripe tomatoes! They'd take a bite, then realize they weren't so tasty, and leave them on the ground--grrrr!

[Desertdi]

I always caged my tomatoes, but it didn't stop the birds from eating them.   I picked the fruit before it ripened.

[CJC]

We live on the edge of a national park where the deer own the neighborhood. I use Liquid Fence spray and Plantskydd granular, and yes I do need to apply it regularly after rain and after watering. My neighbors spray only sporadically, then complain that the spray is ineffective. You have to be diligent and start spraying early in spring. Deer and rabbits are creatures of habit, and once they find a good place to feed it's hard to break their habit, so the earlier you begin spraying the better. 

[skatting44]

12" inch bird netting wrapped around the bottom of the tomato cages can help

[FranandZoe]

Fence of some sort.

[Trix]

Bunnies are turned off by cayenne pepper. The smell works to deter them from wanting to nibble on your veggies or plants such as Hostas. I learned this from an elderly experienced gardener the year rabbits ate my hostas like they were at an all-you-can-eat diner. Hordes would show up and gobble to their hearts' desire. After applying the pepper, business fell off and after regular use, the rabbits decided they no longer liked the food at my establishment.  

You do have to apply daily and always after rain. The application method is to sprinkle the pepper and let it fall on the lower leaves and ground around the base of the plants. If you have a spice shop or place in your area that sells bulk sizes of seasonings and spice, that's the most economical way to purchase.  Good luck because although small, rabbits eat like a horse, and they have a lot of friends and family members. 

[Icegoddess]

There are some sprays that are somewhat water resistant, so you don't have to re-spray every time it rains.  Bobbex is one.  I think Liquid Fence was also water resistant. We have a sprinkler system which runs every other day, so re-applying to all my plants every other day would be onerous.

[Icegoddess]

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@Desertdi wrote:

I always caged my tomatoes, but it didn't stop the birds from eating them.   I picked the fruit before it ripened.

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@Desertdi I wouldn't expect those cages to deter anything.  They're more for plant support.  Now, if you used chicken wire or something like that around the outside, that might work.  I collect cages and wire baskets to put over my hostas when they first come up.  

[cheriere]

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@Biftu wrote:

I noticed the leaves of my tomato plants are being eaten by bunnies.  I bought rabbit and deer repellent and it said to reapply after it rains.  Obviously I have to water so I don't get it.  Watering is no different than rain.  Do I need to reapply each time I water?  I sprinkled some on the perimeter where I don't water.  Have you used this type of product?

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I know jut what you mean.  I even have my tomato plants in two different locations.  Both are inside fenced areas as well as staked up, but they can still get inside somehow.  Although, the plants surrounded by the fence made from chicken wire, fair much better.  It isn't the prettiest fence, but it works and it's cheap!  I hope this helps some.❤️

Ill try to post a picture.