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Rabbits, deer and other mammals

Rabbits graze seedlings and young plants to the ground; deer browse shoots, buds and fruit higher up; mice, voles and squirrels take seeds, bulbs and cobs. Fencing is the only reliable protection.

Pests
Young plants bitten off at the base by rabbits
Young plants bitten off at the base by rabbits

What it looks like

Height and bite tell you who.

  • Rabbits cut stems at a neat angle, close to the ground.
    Low, clean bites Rabbits cut stems at a neat angle, close to the ground.
  • Deer tear shoots at up to 1.5 m (5 ft), leaving ragged ends.
    Torn, high browse Deer tear shoots at up to 1.5 m (5 ft), leaving ragged ends.
  • Mice take pea and bean seeds and bulbs.
    Dug seeds Mice take pea and bean seeds and bulbs.
  • Round rabbit pellets, slots of deer hooves.
    Droppings and tracks Round rabbit pellets, slots of deer hooves.

How to confirm it

Look for signs.

  1. Bite height

    Low damage is rabbits; high is deer.

  2. Droppings

    Pellets confirm rabbits or deer.

  3. Holes in rows

    Small holes along a seed row mean mice.

What to do

Keep them out.

  1. Rabbit fence

    Wire netting 1 m (3 ft) high, with 30 cm (1 ft) turned out at the base below ground.

  2. Deer fence

    At least 1.8 m (6 ft), or cage individual plants.

  3. Protect seeds

    Start peas and beans in pots, or cover rows.

  4. Cloches and guards

    Protect individual plants with guards.

Prevent it next time

  • Fence before planting.
  • Choose less palatable plants in unfenced areas.
  • Store seed securely.

What not to do

Do not rely on repellents alone; they work briefly and wash off.

In the growing guides

Where the guides mention it, with plant-specific advice.

Sources

  1. Rabbits, Royal Horticultural Society
  2. Deer, Royal Horticultural Society
  3. Mice and voles, Royal Horticultural Society