They’re hungry, and they’re coming for your yard. Deer are lovely to look at, but they can (and will) eat up your best plants if you let them. Don’t be fooled by those doe eyes – that’s not nibbling they’re doing. A full-grown adult deer can eat about 10 pounds of greenery per day and more during the spring after lack of food in the winter.
Here are a few ideas for making your yard a “buck stops here” zone that’ll have them making tracks for greener pastures.
Consider installing motion sensors that make noise or produce flashing lights. These devices will scare deer away. However, before you decide to use a motion sensor consider the layout of your property – you don’t want to irritate your neighbors with flashing lights outside their bedroom window, or (worse) a car alarm-type noise that wakes everyone up.
Garden ornaments, such as sundials and wind chimes, can also make deer skittish and help deter them without annoying the whole neighborhood.
Get savvy about which plants will attract unwanted guests. A beautifully landscaped yard is a feast for the eyes, but it’s also an appetizing prospect for deer. During the fall and winter months, deer search for woody plants, acorns and evergreens to nibble on. In the springtime, deer are at their hungriest and will seek out all your best foliage, fruits and veggies. (For example, English ivy, leaf lettuces, roses, pansies, berry bushes, chrysanthemum, peas and fruit trees will be prime targets.)
Either make a choice not to grow the most attractive plants, plant them close to your home to protect them, fence them off, or use a combination of methods to repel the deer. You can also use a little knowledge about deer dietary preferences to your advantage. Deer rely on their sense of smell for feeding, so if you plant patches of strongly-scented herbs – such as garlic, mint, lavender and chives – you can mask the odor of plants that are more appealing to deer.
Also consider planting a large, thick hedge around your property. Choose deer repellent plant varieties, and grow them high enough to keep deer from seeing the tasty treats on the other side.
Wrap and use netting to protect young, delicate plants. You can use garden nets, tree protectors and plastic tree wrap to protect the most prime targets.
There are also a variety of deer repellent packs and sprays that you can use on your plants. Most of them work by using capsaicin, ammonium salts and other ingredients to create an odor barrier. Don’t pick out poisonous products – the chemicals could accidentally hurt your family, pets and other wildlife.
Finally, keep your yard tidy. Trim tall grass, don’t leave fallen fruit and acorns lying around, and clean up your garden after harvest. Bonus tip: Qualified landscaping professionals will be happy to help you keep your yard in the best shape possible – which might just be your best bet to repel deer!