Rabbits are active year-round, but you may notice them a lot more this time of year. Rabbits don't hibernate during the winter, which means they have to keep eating all year. Rabbits can be annoying, disruptive and destructive even during the winter. Here are the best ways to keep those rascally rabbits away. 

 

Rabbit's typical food sources become more scarce during the winter. To survive, rabbits have to change their diet during the winter. Instead of feeding on grass and berries, they spend the winter months eating tree bark, stems and twigs. To protect your landscaping, you should consider using a mesh fence around any of your trees or other plants. It's best if you can place the fencing a couple of inches underground to keep rabbits from digging under it.

 

Rabbits will snack on anything from fallen branches, berries and even birdseed during the winter. The only things the rabbit is considering are how close the food is, is it accessible, and is it safe to eat? If you haven't picked up the natural debris from your yard lately, you may be leaving a source of food for the rabbits. Winter winds can blow things like twigs, leaves or nuts into your yard. Ensuring you take the time to clear away the debris from your yard periodically makes your property much less rabbit-friendly.

After finding a source of food, rabbits will begin looking for a safe place to call home. During winter rabbits become more exposed as they move from shelter to shelter, and while their fur does an excellent job of keeping them warm, they still get cold. For both of these reasons, whenever rabbits aren't out eating, they want to retreat to a safe hiding place. The more permanent and secluded the hiding place is, the better. This means they're attracted to places like your home, deck or shed. If rabbits can't find a safe shelter, your yard becomes less attractive to them.