*Avoid Sharing of Strawberries with Birds, Rodents and Other Vertebrate Pests DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.104682*

similar, however they differ in size significantly. Jackrabbits are the biggest, measuring 17–21 inches long and weighing 3–7 pounds. Desert cottontails develop to 1–1/2 to 2–3/4 pounds weight and 12–15 inches long. The brush rabbit is the tiniest among them, at 1–1/4 to 1–4/5 pounds weight and 11–13 inches in length. Rabbits also leave behind dark round fecal pellets in abundance. Rabbits normally feed at night, but a desperate animal may feed any time of day. Rabbits are cute, but they will make strawberry plants their food. Rabbits munch on foliage and other tender parts of strawberry plants [56].

Noisemakers, ultrasonic devices and lights are only effective for short-term protection. Installing of barrier may not retain these pests far away from plants, as they can excavate below the fence. Chicken wire may be used to make a barrier, if its bottom is curved at an angle far from the orchard and then concealed no less than 6 inches, to keep rabbits away from strawberry plants. The chicken wire barrier must be as a minimum of 24 inches tall and borders the whole plant. Garlic may act as a rabbit repellent, especially if it is mixed with oil and fish emulsion, and used as a spray for plants. Probably, a limited gnawed foliage would not destroy to vine, however rabbits quickly can destroy a fresh vine in initial spring. Protect to fresh vines with a plastic cover or encircle these in chicken wire. Chicken wire having holes lesser than 1 inch can efficiently prevent to rabbits, which can squeeze through bigger places. As soon as plants are mature, it is generally safe to get rid of protecting coverings. Rabbit deterring sprays that contain rotten egg, cayenne pepper or castor oil are in use, however they need to be reapplied repeatedly, particularly after irrigation or rain. Blood meal mixed into a gallon or water or an Epsom salt spray will keep the rabbits from eating young berry plants [57, 58].
