Will Rabbits Eat My Blueberry Bushes

Rabbits will eat your blueberry bushes, and they can do serious damage to them if you don’t protect the plants.
 
If you’ve been wondering, “will rabbits eat my blueberry bushes,” the short answer is a resounding yes.
 
Rabbits love blueberry bushes because the twigs and buds are tender, tasty, and packed with nutrients, especially in winter when other food is scarce.
 
In this post, we’ll look at why rabbits eat blueberry bushes, the signs of rabbit damage, and how to protect your blueberry bushes from rabbits.
 
Let’s get to it.
 

Will Rabbits Eat My Blueberry Bushes? Yes, Here’s Why

Rabbits will eat your blueberry bushes, and here’s why they’re drawn to them:
 

1. Blueberry Bushes Are a Tasty Snack

The tender new growth on blueberry bushes is a favorite for rabbits.
 
Young shoots, twigs, and buds are soft enough for rabbits to nibble easily.
 
That’s why your blueberry bushes can get nibbled down before you even notice.
 

2. Winter Makes Blueberry Bushes a Target

Rabbits will eat blueberry bushes most aggressively in winter when nothing else is green.
 
When snow covers the ground, the bark and buds on blueberry bushes become a reliable food source.
 
That’s also when rabbits often girdle stems by chewing bark all the way around, which can kill the branch.
 

3. Blueberry Bushes Offer Quick Shelter

Blueberry bushes give rabbits both food and cover.
 
A dense blueberry bush is a perfect spot to hide from predators while snacking on the stems.
 
And that makes your blueberry bushes a double attraction for rabbits.
 

4. Rabbits Are Creatures of Habit

Once rabbits find your blueberry bushes, they’ll keep coming back.
 
Rabbits can eat blueberry bushes repeatedly, especially if the plants are unprotected.
 
So the longer you wait, the more damage your blueberry bushes may face.
 

Signs Rabbits Are Eating Your Blueberry Bushes

How do you know rabbits are eating your blueberry bushes?
 
Look for the following signs:
 

1. Clean, Angled Cuts on Stems

Rabbits will eat blueberry bushes and leave clean, angled cuts on stems, usually at about 45 degrees.
 
Deer, by contrast, tear and rip at branches, so smooth, sharp cuts are a clear sign rabbits are eating your blueberry bushes.
 

2. Chewed Bark Near the Base

Rabbits will eat blueberry bushes by stripping bark from the lower stems.
 
If you spot exposed, gnawed wood near the base of your blueberry bushes, rabbits are likely the culprits.
 

3. Missing Buds and New Growth

Rabbits will eat the newest growth on blueberry bushes first.
 
If your blueberry bushes lose their buds and fresh tips, rabbits have probably been visiting.
 

4. Droppings and Tracks

Round rabbit droppings and small tracks in the soil or snow confirm rabbits are eating your blueberry bushes.
 

How to Protect Your Blueberry Bushes From Rabbits

How do you stop rabbits from eating blueberry bushes?
 
The key is to combine a few simple methods:
 

1. Install a Fence Around Your Blueberry Bushes

A fence is the most reliable way to keep rabbits from eating blueberry bushes.
 
Use hardware cloth or mesh with holes no bigger than 1 inch, and bury the bottom a few inches into the soil so rabbits can’t slip under.
 
Aim for about 2 to 3 feet of height around your blueberry bushes.
 

2. Wrap the Stems in Winter

Since rabbits eat blueberry bushes most in winter, wrap the lower stems in spiral tree guards or hardware cloth from late fall through early spring.
 
This simple barrier stops rabbits from eating blueberry bushes when food is scarce.
 

3. Keep the Area Clean

Rabbits love a cluttered yard.
 
Clear brush, tall grass, and debris around your blueberry bushes so rabbits have fewer places to hide while eating your blueberry bushes.
 

4. Repellents Can Help

Sprays and granules can discourage rabbits from eating blueberry bushes, but they need to be reapplied after rain.
 
Rotate repellents so rabbits don’t get used to one scent.
 

So, Will Rabbits Eat My Blueberry Bushes?

Rabbits will eat your blueberry bushes, and they can seriously damage them if you don’t protect the plants.
 
Young growth, buds, and bark on blueberry bushes are all on the menu, and winter is when rabbits do the most harm.
 
Hope this post has helped you understand why rabbits eat blueberry bushes and how to keep them safe.