You could simply figure out which plants the rabbit is taking from your garden, and use those as bait. If you leave carrots for the rabbit, which is a good idea, grate them because it will set off a stronger smell. [1] X Research source Brussel sprouts, corn on the cob, alfalfa, clover, and lettuce are all good baits to use to catch rabbits. Create a trail of the bait leading the rabbit directly up to the trap or to your hand. Rabbits also like cabbage. [2] X Research source
You could use dried or fresh red apples to try to catch a rabbit. Either version should work. [3] X Research source Rabbits also like bananas. If you have another rabbit, bringing rabbit droppings will attract a new rabbit. Spray apple cider with a spray bottle throughout the inside of the rabbit trap. The rabbit will be drawn by the apple scent, but the spray will also cover up human scent.
Leave a bowl of water for the rabbit. You will have the best chance of spotting a rabbit in the early morning or at dusk. This is when rabbits look for food or drink. In the day time, a rabbit is usually hiding and will be harder to catch. Rabbits often hide out in bushes and trees or under decks. Some think rabbits will also eat cheesy biscuits and bread or be drawn by red fox urine.
You will need a trigger in the middle of the trap to close the door once the rabbit nudges it. The trigger is usually a wooden peg with a wire or string that you attach to the front door. Wooden traps, even when made with plywood, can be somewhat heavy to move, though. Place the bait to the back of the box as a lure to coax the rabbit into the trap. The rabbit should bump the trigger as it tries to reach the bait. Wooden traps are easy to build if you test the trigger a few times. They also are not very expensive.
Such traps usually have a single entry, where they are open at one end, or even a double entry, where both ends open, and they collapse for easier storage or moving. They work the same way as wooden traps. The rabbit is enticed into the trap with bait, and a trigger causes the door to close. These traps are lighter in weight and more open. The animal doesn’t realize it’s being confined as much as it would with a wooden trap, so mesh traps can be more effective. Rabbit traps are usually 24"x7"x7" and 24"x8"x8". You don’t want to make it too big or you could catch other animals.
Rabbits also like low-cut bluegrass. You should place the rabbit trap along trails that rabbits have already made in these areas. Rabbits are likely to use the same trails as they have in the past. Put the trap right in the pathway. You could also put the trap in front of a hole in the ground or in front of a brush pile, if you know that these are being used as rabbit dens. You could also place a trap in an area where you see rabbit droppings.
You want to position the bait, so you lure most of the rabbit’s body into the trap. This should set off the door trigger by engaging the metal plate in the trap. Wear gloves when you bait your trap so that you don’t leave a trace of human scent in the trap. This will stop rabbits from coming into it. Put a brick on top of the trap so the animal won’t knock it over.
Rabbits can bite, so make sure you wear tough, impenetrable gloves before handling a wild rabbit. [5] X Research source Before releasing a rabbit, you should check with laws and regulations in your area. Sometimes this won’t be allowed. In that case, contact a local humane society after catching the rabbit. Remember that rabbits can carry fleas and ticks, so handle them as little as possible.
Don’t look directly at a rabbit. The rabbit may perceive this as a predatory gaze. Believe it or not, but talking to the rabbit may calm it down. [6] X Research source Rabbits are likely to come forward a bit to explore, especially if you have treats in your hands, like carrots, banana, or alfalfa hay. Be patient.
Or you could scoop the rabbit into a pet carrier when it approaches you. Choose a carrier for a small or medium-sized pet. Another method involves setting up a three-foot exercise or puppy pen in a semi-circle formation. You will probably need another person to do this. Once you spot the rabbit, set up the semi-circle, and then pen the rabbit inside. Then, coax the rabbit into the pet carrier.
