Are Rabbits Really Eating Your Pansy Flowers? Try This Test First

You've found your backyard pansies stripped of flowers while the front-yard ones are barely touched. You suspect rabbits, but pepper spray didn't work. Before you wage war on bunnies, consider a surprising alternative: wind.

Why It Might Not Be Rabbits

Rabbits typically eat the whole plant—leaves, stems, and flowers. If only the flowers are missing, something else is at play. Strong winds can dry out delicate pansy blossoms and blow them right off the plant, leaving the foliage intact.

The Simple Cage Test

Here's how to find out for sure:

1. Cover half your pansies with a wire cage (chicken wire works).
2. Leave the other half exposed.
3. Watch for a week.

If caged plants keep their flowers and uncaged ones lose them, you've got a critter problem. If both sets lose flowers, wind is the culprit.

Next Steps

If rabbits are confirmed, try fencing, repellents with putrescent egg solids, or habitat modification. If it's wind, a low windbreak or relocated planting spot may solve it. Either way, you'll stop guessing and start fixing.