Have you noticed slugs in your rabbit hutch? Then the chances are you’re immediately going to be grossed out. Fortunately, in this article, you’ll find out how to remove slugs from your rabbit’s hutch and prevent it from happening again, why they’re there in the first place, and most importantly, whether it’s going to be harmful to your rabbit.
So keep reading to find out everything you want to know!
Why Are There Slugs In Your Rabbit Hutch?
Slugs need three things to be comfortable—shade, moisture, and warmth. In a lot of cases, your rabbit’s hutch is going to provide all three. In fact, it could make the perfect home for slugs as well when you factor in the leftover food that can often be forgotten about in the hutch.
If you’re wondering why slugs like your rabbit’s hutch so much, then look no further than these things as the reason. And to remove slugs from the hutch, the best solution is to make the hutch as sterile as possible to them.
How To Remove Slugs From Your Rabbits Hutch (& Prevent Them From Coming Back)
Fortunately, there are so many different ways you can remove slugs from your rabbit hutch and prevent them from coming back!
1. Kill Them
If you’re not afraid of getting your hands dirty, the simplest approach to get rid of a slug is to simply kill it. All you have to do is stab them with a sharp object and then drop them into a pail of water.
But keep in mind that there are a lot more humane ways to deal with slugs.
You can even throw salt on them to completely dry them out until they die. Sea salt is most effective.
2. Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth is another excellent choice. Just make sure you’re using the food-grade kind, which is harmless to animals, and not the other kind, which can be harmful. To use diatomaceous earth, simply sprinkle it all around the hutch and any areas you think slugs will climb up to get into the hutch. Once the slugs crawl over it, they will create tiny cuts all over their bodies and slowly dehydrate them until they die.
Again, it’s not the most human option, but it’s still an option.
3. Try Using Slug Bait
Another great choice is to use slug bait to get rid of slugs as well. Just make sure you’re using a slug bait that’s safe for animals such as Sluggo Snail And Slug Bait. Once you’ve got some, just sprinkle it around your rabbit’s hutch, paying particular attention to the areas slugs are able to climb up.
4. Put Something Rough Around The Hutch
You can also put gravel or other rough materials around your hutch to deter slugs from wanting to climb inside. Any sort of rough surface will be extremely uncomfortable for slugs, and they won’t want to crawl over it to get into your rabbit’s hutch. Just make sure that whatever you’re placing down is big enough to harm slugs but small enough not to harm your rabbit.
5. Copper Tape
Copper tape is an excellent slug deterrent that is typically used in gardens anyway. To use copper tape effectively, you just place it in areas slugs are trying to enter from. When you’ve done this and slide over it, they will receive a shock that will discourage them from returning to the same place.
6. Plant Slugs Repellent Plants Around Your Hutch
Another great choice, which will also brighten your garden, is to place slug repellent plants around your rabbit’s hutch. If you’re not sure which kind of plants they hate, some great choices include:
- Euphorbias
- Lavender
- Hydrangeas
- Ferns
- Geranium
- Japanese Anemone
- Rosemary
The smell of any of these plants will repel all but the most determined slugs!
7. Slug Traps
Slugs can also be caught with a slug trap. Simply fill a shallow bowl with an inch of sugary water or beer. This should entice the slugs to come out for a drink, and once inside, they won’t be able to get out. Just make sure you drain it fast, or the slugs will most likely die.
8. Add A Bird Feeder To Your Garden
You might also want to consider putting a bird feeder in your garden. If slugs are invading your rabbit’s hutch, it means there’s a lot skulking around in your garden. If you attract more birds to your garden, there’s a good chance they will eat a lot more slugs. And therefore, you won’t have to worry as much about finding slugs in the hutch.
9. Use A Hutch Cover
Many people have reported a GREAT amount of success using a hutch cover. If you’re able to completely cover your hutch, then there’s absolutely no chance that slugs will be able to get in. And there’s also the added benefit that you’re going to keep your rabbit a lot warmer, which is great.
In fact, investing in a good hutch cover is one of the best options on this list.
10. Remove Uneaten Food
One of the reasons slugs may be entering your rabbit’s hutch is because they’re looking for uneaten food. Slugs have such a great sense of smell any scraps of food left in the hutch are going to be like a beacon to them. Because of this, you should make sure you’re removing food from your rabbit’s hutch once they’re done eating, if possible.
And it’s not just food; even rabbit droppings can be seen as food to a slug.
11. Place Lettuce Around The Hutch
Another great idea is to place lettuce around the hutch in an attempt to get the slug to eat the lettuce rather than what’s in the hutch. Once enough slugs have been attracted to the lettuce, you just have to move it away from your hutch and ideally out of your garden.
12. Make Sure Your Hutch Isn’t Wet
You should also make sure that your hutch isn’t wet or leaking. As you know, the perfect conditions for slugs are conditions where there’s plenty of moisture, shade, and warmth. Rabbit hutches already provide two of the three, and if there’s a leak, then it’s providing everything slugs need to thrive.
As well as making sure there are no leaks; you should also try moving your rabbit hutch away from any walls (to stop water dripping down onto the hutch), and also try to lift the hutch off the floor so there are no damp patches directly beneath it. If necessary, dig a hole under the hutch and fill it with gravel to help water drain away easier.
13. Place The Hutch On Legs
If your hutch isn’t on legs already, you should try placing it on legs to make it harder for slugs to climb up. As well as this, you should also put copper wire on the legs, so there’s absolutely no way the slugs are going to get into it. If you can’t use legs, you can try bricks or something similar to give it the gap it needs.
14. Minimize Places In Your Garden Slugs Can Hide
Slugs may be lurking in other places around your garden, so you should look for them and get rid of them. Rake up any fallen leaves in your garden, for example, and if you have logs, move them far away from your hutch.
Likewise, if you’re going to water your garden, do it first thing in the morning so that the moisture evaporates before the slugs arrive (At night).
FAQ
Now that you know all the best ways to remove slugs from your rabbit’s hutch, here are some more commonly asked questions.
Do Slug Pellets Harm Rabbits?
It really depends on the pellets you buy. Some will, and some won’t. So before purchasing or using any, make sure you’re checking the instruction and guidelines thoroughly before. If you’re not sure what slug pellets to get, Garden Safe Slug & Snail Bait are a great choice.
Are Slugs Harmful To Rabbits?
While slugs themselves aren’t harmful to rabbits, they do carry lungworm larvae that can be dangerous, not only to rabbits but to all of your pets. This is just one of the many reasons you should try to remove them from your rabbit’s hutch as soon as possible.
Will Your Rabbits Eat Slugs?
Rabbits are vegetarians, so they aren’t going to eat slugs generally. However, stranger things have happened. And people have reported rabbits eating slugs before (even if it’s by accident.)
Recap
Now you know everything there is to know about removing slugs from your rabbit’s hutch. The trick is to make the hutch as unappealing as possible to the slugs. Keeping your hutch off the floor, adding copper wire around the hutch, and planting flowers they hate around the hutch are all great ways to remove them!
So if you liked this article, make sure you check out the rest of the website. Otherwise, have a great day!
