Once again, we have had to battle the cottontails. After re-sodding*, it appears that a couple of bunnies discovered the new grass the first night and, within 4 days, had invited all of their friends and relatives (I am thinking AA Milne) over for a party. On the 5th morning, the rabbit excrement was so heavy that our stepping stones were absolutely covered and the damage to the freshly planted sod and newly transplanted plants was obvious (they even took 3 banana pups out and "trimmed" the ginger). Although we have tried blood meal in the past without much success, we decided to try it again out of sheer desperation. We also discussed wiring the entire perimeter of the yard** or enclosing the yard with society garlic (the front beds are "hedged" with a 12" wide strip of this and it has worked exceedingly well there). While we may still wire a couple of the entrances (major thoroughfares?***), we both thought that ringing the yard with the society garlic would look odd given its layout. So, my DH went and purchased multiple bags of blood meal and applied it everywhere (I was thinking that it was an exercise in futility). We both were happily shocked to see nearly clear stepping stones the following morning. It appears that only one or two tiny bun-buns came by to feast based on the tiny rabbit pellets left behind. The following evening, I was out photographing some plants at dusk and noticed a cottontail scoping out a small section of fence line. My best half applied a judicious strip of blood meal and it appears that that rabbit has decided to dine elsewhere. I also noticed that there were no signs of the little bun(s) from the previous night (we do have a pair of hawks that have their main nest in our yard so perhaps it/they were dinner?). I do not know if the success is due to the brand of blood meal we are now using (could it be processed differently?) or if it is the change in vendors (fresher due to a higher turnover in product?), but I am not willing to return to the old brand nor to the old nursery in order to find out (I know, I am not being scientifically friendly). I am, however, very happy and even more relieved that we have found something that is effective [for now at least] that does not include erecting a physical barrier - and provides low and slow nitrogen. I have also learned a valuable lesson in being too rigid in thought (dismissing something out of hand based on one experience) but, thankfully, my husband is much more open minded.
* They are, in large part, the reason we are having to re-sod. In the backyard, the dogs have helped with the destruction but, in the front yard, they are solely responsible for all of the damage. Argh! They have done hundreds if not thousands of dollars in damage over the years. It ends NOW.
** Since writing this, an angel contacted me with a photo of green wire that they are using and it looks great. I really had to scrutinize the photo to see it - it is nearly invisible. After thinking about it, if we must go with wire, I will ask my better half if we can exchange the regular wire fencing that we have for the green. Again, I need to be less rigid. When I thought of wire, I envisioned the silvery stuff and was opposed to its use. I am so glad that an angel suggested the green fencing as I can definitely live with it.
*** I planted Ajuga (Catlin's Giant) in front of these areas within the past 2-3 weeks. As Ajuga is rabbit resistant, I am willing to wait and see if they will cross this barrier once it has filled in. I will still spread blood meal around the vulnerable plants but, since Catlin's Giant is listed as reaching 8-10" in height, I am hoping that the cottontails will find it so repugnant that they will not cross through it.
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