Animal Damage on Jasmine: Deer or Rabbits Eating Leaves

Overnight stripping of entire leaves from jasmine stems is classic vertebrate browsing—deer or rabbits.

Identification

• Deer: Jagged tears, browsing up to 6 ft high, often at night.
• Rabbits: Clean 45° cuts, damage below 2 ft, pellets nearby.

Protection

• Physical barrier: 4-ft fence (rabbits) or 7-ft fence (deer).
• Netting: Bird netting or deer netting draped over plant.
• Repellents: Rotate products (putrescent egg, capsaicin, predator urine) every 2–3 weeks.
• Container strategy: Move pots to protected deck/porch at night.

Act quickly—repeated browsing kills young plants.