Gardeners generally do well against many of the dreaded “garden pests.” But no matter how hard they try, sometimes they win and sometimes they don’t. I remember someone once told me that the smaller the pest, the smaller the problem, and the bigger the pest, the bigger the problem. I found that in gardening, that’s not necessarily true. So what’s a gardener to do to keep, say, white-tailed deer out of the garden? As beautiful as they are, they are still a pest when they enter the garden. Then, what are you going to do?
Well, I found it to be very helpful, researching all the possibilities that appealed to me and deciding which one would best suit the needs of my particular situation. I asked myself questions like:
1. Did you want to go natural, chemical, natural chemical or physical?
2. Will it be safe around children, pets and other animals?
3. Can I do it myself or do I need an installer?
4. What is my budget?
5. Should I make a larger initial investment in a long-term solution?
6. Do I plan a scheduled program that requires ongoing care?
If you decide to go a natural, earth-friendly way, here are some techniques to consider when dealing with the destructive population of eating deer in your yard. You can try to make your garden undesirable for deer. It’s called the passive method of deterrence. It is achieved by planting a selection of plants, trees and shrubs that make your garden unattractive to deer. Examples of some trees and shrubs you might like to consider are: Barberry, Bayberry, Hawthorne, Mt. Laurel, and Primrose. Jasmine, Firebush, Elderberry, Rhododendron, Sassafras, Magnolia, Japanese Maple, Agarita, Heather and Heather, and Upright Rosemary.
Some examples of plants (annuals and perennials) that are not as palatable to deer are: Annuals: Ageratum, Cleome, Dianthus, Petunia, Alyssum, Forget-me-not, Globe Amaranth, Snapdragons, Celosia, Heliotrope, Stock, Centaurea, Larkspur, Basil. This is a short list. There are plenty of other annuals that deer don’t care about. Perennials: Amaryllis, Angel Trumpet, Indigo Spires Salvia, Mallow. Hibiscus, Dusty Miller, Mexican Honeysuckle, Rosemary, Honeysuckle, Angel’s Trumpet, Peony, Ferns, Golden Moss, Sedum, Clematis, Bearded Iris. This is also a short list. There are also many other perennials that deer don’t care about.
When planting unwanted plants for deer, you need to remember one thing. When times get tough, deer will eat just about anything to survive. Take heart! We can only do so much when the law of preservation comes into play. The use of chemical deterrents against nuisance deer should also be considered. These can be natural products as well as manufactured ones. There is a product called Deer Repellent, which is a natural blend of non-toxic ingredients made to deter deer. It is safe for all pets and animals, and even children.
You can also treat your garden with a mix of undesirable things from around the house. Ingredients that make the vegetation of plants or flowers taste unpleasant or smell very bad to deer. Human hair, hung in cotton bags around the garden, is considered a good method of scaring away deer. Some tell me that hot peppers, sprinkled in the garden, work like a dig for deer. Others have talked about how using a bar of soap can be helpful in keeping deer away. Simply hang the bar of soap, in the box, at a feeding spot, or cut the bar into chips and then throw them around the garden. And what kind of soap keeps deer away? Well, I’ve been informed that only ‘Irish Spring’ can clean up deer activity.
A natural and chemical way to settle the score against rogue deer is to mark your yard with the scent of a natural enemy, O de’Coyote. Here’s a coactor that could surely tear a deer to shreds, limb by limb. Using coyote urine is supposed to trick deer into thinking a predator is waiting in ambush. Simply hang the urine around the garden in plastic bottles that have holes in them. Fill the containers with urine-soaked cotton balls and hang them anywhere in your garden that has exposed vulnerable plants, allowing urine to drip off, marking territory and increasing the threat of attack. You can also spray the urine directly on the plants.
Try this early in the season, before feeding patterns have been established, as it’s easier to stop a problem before it starts. Some physical means of keeping deer out of the yard include fencing, passive infrared motion technology, and water jet defenses. After selecting which physical defense method you want to use, make sure you have the right materials to get the project done right. When it comes to fencing, remember that a deer in distress is capable of jumping an eight-foot fence. Now in my experience an eight foot fence is more than adequate to keep deer out. Fencing is most effective if the deer cannot see the other side and completely surrounds the area to be protected. The lightest, cheapest and easiest to install polypropylene products on the market.
Passive infrared motion technology has two defense mechanisms. The first line of defense is the multi-frequency ultrasonic device that discourages animals, while the second defense is activated when a pest enters the line of fire. Pressurized water is physically shot at the subject, repelling the animal, causing no harm. I know there is a lot of information here, but honestly, you will find a way to rid your yard of white-tailed deer. Keep trying new and innovative methods. Something will eventually work out. As for me, I have a dog!