Making the habitat less attractive to rabbits is often an effective control method. Removing rock, wood and brush piles, mowing tall weedy areas, etc., will sometimes cause rabbits to leave in search of more suitable habitat or at least decrease the rabbit density in your yard. An aggressive dog within a fenced yard, both day and night, is an effective deterrent to increased rabbit populations.

The use of traps can be an effective way to remove rabbits, but can be difficult to bait during the summer due to the abundant food supplies available. Traps should be placed where the rabbits are feeding or resting. Apples, oats, corn cobs, dried leafy alfalfa, and clover are good cold-weather baits. Carrots, brussel sprouts, lettuce, cabbage and even bread are good baits during the warmer months. Spraying the inside of a trap with apple cider has also shown to be effective. Trailing scents are available commercially to lead rabbits to your traps, in addition to various rabbit lures for bait. Trapping needs to be continuous as rabbits are prolific and as one is captured another can move in to take its place.

There are a number of chemical repellents available at garden centers, but most have been less than satisfactory. There are also no registered toxicants or fumigants for use on rabbits.

Shooting may be used if permitted by local law and covenants. Hunting rabbits in adjacent areas is also an effective control tool. Currently rabbits may be hunted year-round in Montana with no bag limits.