City of Regina to trap rabbits to protect trees

The City of Regina is setting traps to cut down its prolific rabbit population, particularly in the newer Harbour Landing neighbourhood.

Russell Eirich, the city’s manager of forestry, horticulture and pest control, said the rabbits normally feed on grass, but with snow on the ground, are now chewing up trees.

He said the city has tried protecting its trees by wrapping them, but the rabbits have been seen pulling the wraps down.

“A tree is worth $500. That’s the purchase price to buy it and the cost to install,” he said. “If you get 25 to 40 trees, you’re at $20,000. That’s why we’re under this pressure to do something.”

This is the second year of the pilot project. Eirich said single rabbits that are trapped can be released but larger numbers will have to be euthanized.

Last year the city caught 27 rabbits and released 10. None have been trapped this year.

There are a number of deterrents the city has encouraged homeowners to use including coyote urine, a product for gardens that makes flowers inedible, and wrapping trees.

The city is testing another pilot project in the Pilot Butte Creek area which includes setting up wire cages around trees. So far, they’re holding up, Eirich said.

Eirich said the city is still fine-tuning its strategy, balancing public demands to address the nuisance but also to be respectful of nature.

“We’re trying to figure out what we can do in terms of a proper control method, what’s publicly acceptable,” he said.