SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — As the snow piles up, a certain long-eared animal is causing problems for homeowners. This winter, with grass and plants buried by snow, rabbits have fewer food options.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) –Now that the snow has mostly melted, you may be noticing some bark is missing from your trees and shrubs. You can blame that on the rabbits trying to survive the long winter.

Rabbits and rodents can cause injury to the thin bark and twigs of young trees. When snow covers food sources normally sought during winter, these animals often move into home lawns in search of food.

The worst threat to young trees and shrubs in winter isn’t cold or snow. “It’s bunnies and Bambi,” said Sharon Yiesla, plant knowledge specialist in the Plant Clinic at The Morton Arboretum in Lisle.

Q: I have a September Ruby apple tree that was mauled by rabbits this winter. We had the trunk wrapped, but the snow got higher than the wrap and they chewed off bark all around the trunk. I thought ...

Do a garden cleanup to eliminate food sources and hiding spots. Install fencing to protect large areas or use tree guards for newly planted trees. Use deterrent sprays in combination with other ...

It's not just the cold that can threaten your fruit trees. Rabbits, moles, and voles can significantly damage young fruit trees in winter. To protect trees, install tree tubes made of hardware cloth ...

If you keep your rabbits in a hutch or outdoor enclosure during the winter, you might wonder if you need to bring them inside ...