Some plants “harden off” enough later in the season and become unappealing to rabbits, but that’s not going to be the case with impatiens, which remain succulent and soft all season long. So yes, hot pepper spray – often called hot pepper wax -is an effective deterrent. It’s not smelly like deer repellents are but is effective on rabbits and small rodents like chipmunks. You may find recipes for making your own online, but we do recommend sticking with a specially formulated product because it will contain wax that helps it stick to and persist on the plant for longer lasting control.