6 Steps To Trap a Rabbit Quickly & Humanely

Have you noticed gnaw marks, droppings, or burrows in or around your garden?

If so, you could have a rabbit problem!

Fortunately, you don’t have to fix it on your own.

Here at the Pest Dude, we’ve been helping San Francisco-area customers learn to do their own pest control for years, and we know exactly what it takes to get rid of cute but pesky bunnies.

We’ve compiled our top tips into this blog – keep reading.

Before You Get Started

• Make sure you’re dealing with rabbits. To confirm the presence of rabbits, look for specific signs. One clear indicator is fresh droppings, which are small, round, dark, and usually found in clusters. You might also spot chewed greenery – since rabbits eat the tops of plants, it often looks like someone trimmed all the twigs and leaves off the plant. Other signs include flattened patches of grass where rabbits rest or forage and footprints with a distinct V-shaped pattern.
• Check local regulations for trapping wildlife. Wildlife management laws vary from place to place, and it’s essential to understand the rules and regulations in your area. Understanding these rules helps ensure that your trapping is legal and humane. For more details on trapping regulations, check out the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s trapping page.
• Gather your equipment. Using the right gear can make trapping much easier and safer. We recommend wearing gloves when handling the trap to prevent transferring your scent, which can frighten away rabbits. It’s also essential to buy traps designed for rabbits and wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and closed-toed shoes.

Step-by-Step Guide to Trapping Rabbits

1. Choose the Right Trap

Use a clean, well-functioning cage trap specifically sized for rabbits (like this one).

A clean raccoon trap can work as a stand-in if you can’t find a rabbit trap.

Consider traps that open on both ends for easier access.

2. Position the Trap Correctly

To get rid of rabbits, place your traps in high-traffic areas.

If you’re using a trap that opens on both ends, place it in the middle of a path rabbits travel frequently (you may be able to identify worn paths in your yard – these are great places to set the traps)

To direct rabbits to a specific area, use garden stakes and chicken wire to create a “funnel” opening.

3. Bait the Trap With Foods Rabbits Love

Place fresh food, like strawberries, bananas, raspberries, or leafy greens, inside the trap.

Replace the food regularly to keep it fresh and enticing for rabbits.

Be aware that this bait may attract raccoons and skunks, so we recommend focusing your trapping efforts during the daylight hours (from the early morning to sunset) when raccoons are less active.

4. Hide the Trap

Cover the trap with a cloth, old towel, or burlap to create a cave-like environment.

If the trap wobbles, stabilize it with a few bricks so it’s more secure and less likely to scare bunnies when they step into it.

5. Know How to Handle Captured Rabbits

Depending on local regulations, you will either release or euthanize the rabbit. 

In California, for example, it’s illegal to relocate trapped wildlife, and humane euthanasia is the only option.

If you live in a state where you can let the bunny go, set it free in a suitable habitat some distance from your property (and far from anyone else’s yard). 

Make sure there’s plenty of food and water available for the rabbit and ample hiding places from predators.

Additionally, take precautions to ensure you’re never in a position to allow yourself to be bit or scratched by the rabbit. 

To protect yourself, wear heavy-duty leather gloves whenever you handle an inhabited trap, and be extremely careful when opening the trap for any reason. 

If euthanasia is necessary, it’s essential to understand what’s legal and humane. 

For example, drowning caged animals is NEVER okay, although shooting and euthanasia via carbon dioxide are typically acceptable.

To identify more humane methods, we recommend reading the American Veterinary Association’s Guidelines on Euthanasia.

Finally, be aware that setting rabbit traps means you’ll likely catch unwanted animals, like possums and skunks. To safely release these animals, wear gloves, long pants, and closed-toed shoes, and position the trap so it’s pointing away from you before you open it. 

6. Reset and Repeat

After you’ve captured a rabbit, reset the trap and continue the process until all the rabbits on your property are gone.

Troubleshooting Tips

• If you’re struggling to catch rabbits, experiment with different fruits and vegetables as food lures in your traps. You may also consider observing the rabbits’ feeding habits by placing bait outside the traps until you identify what they like.
• If rabbits are more active at night, consider trapping them then. Also, if raccoons and skunks are common in your area, be ready to deal with them.
• Make sure your traps are located near shelter, like shrubs or tall grass, since rabbits don’t generally like being out in the open.
• Observe rabbit behavior for a few days using a game or remote camera. This will help you learn about their travel patterns and feeding habits.

When to Call A Pest Control Professional

While the DIY methods we’ve mentioned above can help manage rabbit populations, there are times when it’s better to bring in the pros.

If you’ve tried different trapping techniques without luck or are dealing with a large rabbit population reproducing faster than you can trap them, it’s time to call the team here at Pest Dude.

We’ll start by thoroughly assessing your property and identifying rabbit hotspots.

Next, we’ll set traps near dense cover or food sources.

We’ll re-bait, re-set, and adjust the traps as needed until all your rabbits are gone!

Don’t Let Rabbits Ruin Your Space! We’re Here to Help

Bunnies may be cute, but they can make bad neighbors.

Fortunately, we’re here to help you get rid of them.

Contact us today to learn more about our team and how we can help you manage and prevent rabbit problems: (844) 532-0076.