Keep Deer Away
By Kristi Vaughan
If you live in an area of the country where white tail deer abound you’ve probably seen the effects of their gluttonous foraging. Tulips nipped off at the bud. Hemlocks shorn of foliage to a height of about four feet. Lilies whose flowers are never seen. This list goes on.
Much to the delight of the deer and frustration of homeowners, the ornamental plants that we prize are also delectable treats to these four-legged creatures. So, short of giving up on gardening, what can a homeowner do?
A first line of defense -- and a necessity if the landscape is already planted -- is to keep the deer away. Over the years a number of tactics and products have been developed, all with varying degrees of success.
Fencing
One solution for keeping deer out of a selected area is to put up a fence. Fencing has several advantages. It is a permanent solution, it can be used to control the deer population in a large area and it can be an attractive landscape addition. But it also can be expensive, especially when you consider that you’ll need a fence at least six-and-half feet high.
Black vinyl netting is a less-expensive barrier alternative that has been tried by many homeowners. The netting is available in different gauges and usually can be found at home and garden stores. A big advantage to netting is the cost.
The simplest way to use to netting is to drape it over affected plants, particularly during the winter when the deer are actively browsing backyards for food. If you choose this method just make sure you have firmly attached the netting since the deer will nose it aside in the effort to reach the tasty plant growth below.
Netting also can be attached to stakes surrounding a planted area. Again remember that deer are excellent jumpers so keep those stakes and netting six-and-a half to seven-feet high.
Property owners living in wooded areas may be able to attach the netting to trees surrounding their property. If the netting is far enough away it can be nearly invisible.
Scare tactics
If a fence isn’t the best answer you may want to try scare tactics. A dog running around your yard can help – at least in those hours when the dog is outside.
Other scare tactics suggested by the Wildlife Resources Division of the Georgia Division of Natural Resources include scare pistols, gas exploders, shiny objects, scarecrows, yard lights and water sprinklers.
These scare tactics can all work – for a while. As master gardener Terry Yockey points out, deer quickly become accustomed to the various scare tactics so you’ll need to vary your methods
Repellants
One logical answer to keeping deer away is to make the plants taste bad. This is the theory behind repellants.
There are a wide variety of repellants which have been developed by homeowners, landscapers and commercial factories. There is even one, Milorganite® that is the by-product of sewage treatment by the city of Milwaukee.
As with scare tactics, the effectiveness of these repellants varies. They also often must be reapplied after rain or snow and the deer can get used to them over time.
Homeowners can find various sprays in their local home and garden supply centers. Some people have had success hanging highly fragrant soap in mesh bags near plants they want protected. Blood meal, garlic, and red pepper are said to be effective deterrents. And some homeowners have developed their own spray concoctions of red pepper, garlic and raw eggs. Whatever method you choose, just remember to reapply frequently because the deer are out there waiting for you to forget!
