What To Do If You're Plagued By Deer

By Tad Distin

Protecting your garden from unwanted snackers is a full-time job. Animals are quiet and can strike at any time. Deer look innocent, but they can wreck havoc on a garden in minutes. So how do you keep them away without doing anything to harm them? How do you find a a way that to keep the deer away? It is not easy. They can jump fences at very tall heights and can be fearless when they are very hungry. You must therefore play their own instincts against them and learn what things they have an natural aversion to.

The deer's sense of smell is the best place to start. They have keep olfactory senses which they use to detect predators. They do not stand a chance against more aggressive animals and are therefore more apt to run away rather than take a chance. Urine marking a predator's territory is a clear sign for deer to stay away if they value their lives. You can use this, too.

There are scented chemicals that are similar to the smell of real animal urine. Few animals would be willing to risk getting food that is clearly in the middle of a predator's territory. These can be found in any hunting or home care department. Still there is something about spraying stuff that stinks on to the plants.

They also hate high pitched noises. Blowing a dog whistle is enough to drive them crazy, or you can invest in an automatic whistle that will sound every time a deer comes around. The latter option is best, since that way you won't have to run to the window every time you imagine a noise in the back yard.

Some claim chopped garlic has a strong enough scent to make deer turn back. Others swear by chopped up hot peppers. If you hang bars of Dove soap above your plants, that is also rumored to work. Other uses are moth balls, ammonia, vinegar, and cloves. Try things out until you find one that really works!

One other way to go is to plant plants that deer find distasteful; if you surround your valuable plants with these, the deer may not even get close enough to your garden to find the palatable plants. This technique is called 'deeroscaping, ' meaning your yard has been fashioned to deter deer by the usage of plants. These plants include any ornamental grasses, sage, verbena, spearmint, or mums. There are plenty more.

These are all good steps for summer months when other food is readily available; deer won't bother with your heinous yard when there are plenty of other peaceful, nice-smelling places to eat. In the winter, though, deer do not have the luxury of being picky. They can and will eat anything they can find. You may have to use ALL of these steps in the winter. - 30228

About the Author:

Sign Up for our Free Newsletter

Enter email address here