Deer Repellants
Bottom Line
The bottom line is that almost nothing short of a shotgun, angry dog or full sized deer fence will stop a very hungry deer.
They'll eat anything they can reach including the plants they ignore in happier full-stomach times. If they're very hungry and you don't have one of the above three remedies in place - you lose your plants.
Single Most Effective Solution
The single most effective deer repellant is a deer fence.
You can either purchase one of the modern plastic netting types that neither you nor the deer can see or you can make a solid board fence that is 6-8 feet tall and over their heads. The former physically stops them (even a big buck on a full run will be stopped and rebounded by the plastic) and the tall fence prevents them from seeing - they won't jump when they can't see what they're jumping into (unless being chased by dogs and cornered and then all bets are off about how high and where they'll jump).Our objective for the other 90% of the time when we're looking for deer repellants are the following:
Electronic scarecrows
These are electronic motion detectors controlling a water jet. When something breaks the beam - a jet of water on a sprinkler cuts loose for several minutes scaring the animal. Kids love 'em. Mailmen hate 'em.
Deer Fencing
This plastic fence is almost invisible and will prevent deer from jumping over (it's tall) The only concern is that you have to have your driveway either gated wth the stuff or a cattle guard installed so they don't walk right up the driveway. If you're fenced and the deer get in, you'll have a heck of a time getting them out. But do check commercial suppliers of fencing in your area for quotes.
Electronic Sound Deterrent
Regardless of any advertising to the contrary, these high-frequency sound waves don't work on deer according to all gardening reports I've seen. Forget 'em as deer repellants.
Fragrance
Now this is where it gets interesting. You name it and somebody has used it for deer repellant purposes. From juicy fruit gum, to collected human or animal hair to Irish Spring soap. Rotten eggs are a favorite and these are incorporated into commercial sprays. This fragrance is reputed to be one of the most effective according to test results.Whichever fragrance you pick - you do have to renew it regularly.
General Deer Behavior to Understand
Deer behaviour is to be cautious about new things - be they fragrances, or lawn ornaments. These are a skittish animal. So when they see something new, they'll avoid it for a while. If it stays the same, they'll become accustomed to it and start to renew feeding again. So variation and constant renewal is the name of the game.
Commercial Fragrances
These seem to work if applied according to directions. As above, the rotting egg smells work the best of any of the deer repellant fragrances.
Plant applied compounds There are sprays that are applied directly to plants that make the plant unpalatable to deer. They take a bite, don't like the taste and move on. These have to be applied *very* early in the season and regularly repeated.
Best Option if you don't use deer fencing
The very best deer repellant philosophy (short of fencing) is to use multiple options - one from each of the above "solutions" so that the deer are constantly off-balance and cautios - avoiding your property.
Good luck.
p.s. yes, they're cute but yes they're a big cute nuisance when they're eating your garden
Click here to ask a question about deer repellants
Click here for free gardening newsletter
