Making Your Landscape More Deer Repellent

Terry L. Yockey

So what is the most fool-proof? Simply--a very tall fence. Since deer can jump 12 feet high from a standing position, your fence should be at least 8 to 10 feet tall. Using heavy black mesh between tall posts is an inexpensive way to build a high fence, but for shorter protection try electric wires or slant your fence outward at about a 45 degree angle.

What else can you try if you do not want the expense or hassle of building a fence? Basically, deer are frightened of almost everything. This does not mean that they will stay frightened. As I said before, almost all scare tactics lose their punch after a few weeks to a month. To keep the deer away it is best to continually rotate a variety of the following methods.

Other Deer-Repellent Strategies

• Sprinklers with motion detectors that release a spray of water when activated have proven to be very effective against not only deer, but raccoons, rabbits, geese and even neighborhood cats and dogs.  One product by Contech Electronics is aptly named Scarecrow and attaches to any standard garden hose.  When the Scarecrow detects an intruder's movement or body heat it sprays a 3 second burst of water.  If the animal returns, the unit automatically activates again.  Apparently, deer aren't too keen on being wet and between the water, the noise and the movement of the sprinkler; most deer don't seem to come back.  One nice feature is that it only uses 2 to 3 cups of water per deterrence, so it can usually be used in communities under water restrictions. (More Info on the Scarecrow)

• Milorganite is an organic, slow-release fertilizer made from good ole Wisconsin sludge.  That's right...since August 1, 1926; the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) has been producing and selling this useful sewage byproduct.  It has been approved by the EPA for use not only on turf and ornamentals, but also on vegetable gardens.  I don't know.  I have tried it on my lawn and it worked just as well as other organic fertilizers, but I just do not feel that comfortable putting it on my veggies.  Your call.  It really does seem to help keep deer away, however, rain does dilute the effect.

• Urine, coyote or human can be either spread where needed or applied to sachets or dispenser bottles.  I like the dispenser bottles because the scent is protected from rain and can last for up to a month before you need to replenish it.  Coyote urine can be purchased in bottles from 8 ounces to 1 gallon (I really do not want to think about how they harvest the stuff).  If you are collecting your own human "product," the first product of the day is usually the most potent.  With both, I think it is best not to mention to your neighbors what is in the little bottles hanging from the trees.

• Blood meal or blood products such as Plantskydd spread where needed.  Planskydd has an advantage over just blood meal because they add a stickum that makes it lasts up to 6 months over winter and up to 4 months during the active growing season.

• Playing a radio all night should make you extremely popular with your neighbors.  Just like all the other techniques the deer (but probably not your neighbors) will get used to the sound after a while.

• Strong scents such as small hotel soaps drilled and hung on your shrubs and trees or fabricsoftener strips and bags containing peeled garlic bulbs can be hung or spread around vulnerable areas.  For a garlic defense with less muss and fuss use garlic clip dispensers that clip right where you need them .  Spaced about five to six feet apart they form a very strong odor barrier that can last up to six months.



• Making your plantings unpalatable. There are several sprays available, however, in 1999 Auburn University did extensive testing on a wide variety of deer repellent sprays and found that the most effective were those that contained putrescent (rotten) egg-based products such as Deer-off and Deer-away.

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