Deer Control / Protection For Your Garden
Romaine lettuce damaged by deer
Oh, Deer! For non-gardener's, there's a fascination with seeing a deer in
a field, or perhaps your yard. For gardener's, it can be quite the opposite
fascination.....errr frustration. You love the sight of deer, anywhere but
in your garden. Yet, they seem impossible to keep away.
If you live in suburbia, deer populations can be difficult to control. Hunting
is not allowed, and natural predators are absent. We've got several ideas
for you to help protect your flowers, shrubs, and herbs from marauding deer.
Did you know? Deer seem to eat almost anything. But, they do not like
thorny plants.
Deer Control Methods, Tips and Suggestions: Here are some ideas to
provide deer protection for plants and trees.
Repellent Sprays- Deer repellent sprays work with some degree of success.
To be effective, repellent sprays need to be applied regularly. It also need
to be re-applied after every significant rain. Use repellent sprays on trees,
shrubs and flower gardens. Do not use them on your vegetable crop, or fruit
trees. Use of repellent sprays can get expensive.
Deer Fence- This is perhaps the most effective deer control option.
Fencing around your garden or yard can be highly effective. Unfortuantely,
it is impractical for many applications, like flower beds along the house.
To be effective, fencing needs to be several feet high. Deer have no problem
jumping over a standard 4' chain link fence.
Did you know? Deer will avoid double fencing, spaced 3-4 feet apart.
They are afraid of getting caught between the two fences, and will move on
in search of an easier meal.
Deer Netting Sheets and Tree Bags- Here's a very effective deer control
method.... deer netting. It is lightweight and easy to setup/take down.
A tree bag can be used year round, protecting trees and shrubs in winter
from roaming deer. The green color lets this garden netting blend into
the natural setting. Garden nylon mesh netting sheets can be used on larger
trees, and as a cover for flowers and vegetables. Long lasting, deer netting
makes the investment worthwhile.
Buy Pest Netting
Baby Powder- A few gardeners I know swear by this trick. Sprinkle
baby powder lightly over the leaves. Deer will then leave the plant alone.
Like other repellents, it needs to be re-applied regularly.
Fox Urine- Spray the urine of natural predators around the outside
border of the garden. Deer will think a predator is in the area, and move
on to your neighbors garden......or further. Available at local garden stores,
it needs to be applied regularly to be effective.
Homemade Deer Repellent Spray - Put 2 or 3 eggs in blender along with
2 Tblsp. of finely minced garlic, a generous dash of cayenne pepper &
tobasco sauce. Add 1 cup of water with couple drops of any cooking oil. Puree
this and strain it. Then, put it into a spray bottle. Spray once a week on
whatever you don't want the deer to touch eat. Contributed by Gayle Hunter.
Human Hair- Deer recognize humans as a natural predator to them. One
sniff of a human, and off they bound. At least, that's the theory for those
who spread human hair around their garden. Barber shops and hair salons are
a good source of a steady supply of hair.
The Shotgun- Sorry Bambi lovers, but this is one effective means of
control. Obviously, it's not a method of control in suburbia. Check your
local laws.
Irish Spring Soap- Some people hang bars of Irish Spring soap around
their garden........Honest, they do! No one seems to know where this idea
came from. Does it work? Collect used bars of soap and give it a try.
Fabric Softener Sheets- Fasten them to stakes around the garden. The
scent deters them. A pumpkin farmer shared this tip.
Invisible Fishing line- String it around the garden, high and low.
The deer can't see it. When they run into it, they get confused and go elsewhere.
Are Deer, Bunnies or birds feasting on your plants?
Brunch time is over.....period!
Buy the Buffet Buster now!
Deer resistant plants and deer resistant flowers- Listed
below are some deer resistant flower plants that deer tend to leave alone.
Some of these are occasionally bothered by deer, but it is very rare:
Achillea
Ageratum
Astilbe
Aster
Baby's Breath
Bachelor Buttons
Blanketflower
Blue Flax
Butterfly Flower
Candytuft
Columbine
Coneflower
Coreopsis
Crocus
Daffodils
Dahlia
Delphinium
Forget Me Not
Foxglove
Gloriosa Daisy
Grape Hyacinth
Larkspur
Lavender
Lobelia
Lupine
Mariposa lily
Moss Pink
Nasturtium
Ornamental Grass
Periwinkle
Pincushion flower
Poppy
Snapdragon
Sweet William
Thyme
Buy Deer Resistant Flowers
Got a secret method to keep deer out of your garden or shrubs?
Email us to share it with others
Reated Topics:
Animal
Garden Pest Control - How to control a variety of garden pests
Pest Netting - A wide variety of netting sheets and
tree bags for year long protection of trees, shrubs, flowers and vegetables. |
