Does Irish Spring soap keep rabbits away?
Written by
Kiana Okafor
Reviewed by
Prof. Martin Thorne, Ph.D.Irish Spring soap can act as a short-term deterrent to rabbits because of its strong smell. Grate it into some mesh bags and place them around susceptible plants. The smell tends to evaporate after time and with rain. To make it last longer, use it in tandem with buried fencing or with spicy deterring products.
Preparation & Placement
- Grate 1 bar into breathable mesh bags
- Hang 2-3 feet above ground near lettuce, beans, or flowers
- Space bags 6-8 feet apart for full coverage
Limitations
- Scent fades after 0.5 inches of rain
- Ineffective against starving or juvenile rabbits
- Replace bars monthly for consistent results
Use Irish Spring in combination with motion-activated sprinklers or garlic spray. A gardener in Michigan claims they've cut rabbit visits by 70% using this pairing. Place soap in areas with higher rabbit traffic such as vegetable patches. Move the soap every month so that the rabbits do not get used to the old soap.
The effectiveness of the soap will depend on the weather. In high-humidity areas (Florida, for example), replace the soap every 2 weeks. In areas of low humidity (like Nevada), you can replace it every 5 weeks. Always use in tandem with physical barriers like raised beds or hardware cloth to provide protection 24 hours a day and 7 days a week.
Safety reminder: Never allow soap to come into contact with any part of the edible plant. Additionally, when you are using grated soap, use gloves to minimize residue transfer. A Texas family that used soap bags in combination with marigolds for a one-two scented defense; brilliant idea! If you are tracking rabbit activity, consider using trail cameras to adjust and optimize in the future!
Read the full article: 10 Effective Ways to Deter Rabbits in Your Garden
