An adult white-tail eats up to ten pounds of vegetation every day.
Discouraging hungry deer is a challenge, particularly in urban areas where they’ve gotten used to human traffic.
But they are skittish, frighten easily, and flee when startled.
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Here are 7 methods to help keep your yard and gardens safe.
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Several choices for types and materials are known to keep deer out.
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Barriers need to be at least 8 feet tall to prevent deer from leaping over the top.
see to it the line stays taught between supports.
This low-cost method works best around smaller vegetable plots and flowerbeds and needs to be replaced periodically.
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Peak feeding time occurs during dusk hours, so setting lights or sprinklers on a timer is one option.
Solar-powered lights that turn on as sunlight fades are another option.
Ultrasonic devices that combine light, sound, and motion are a top choice.
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Using this multi-layered approach combines elements that deer won’t tolerate.
Place devices in and around vulnerable plantings for good results.
Noise
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Some options exist for scaring deer off with noise.
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Try setting up an outdoor radio or place one in a garage window, shed, or outbuilding.
Set it to play loud music and move the unit from time to time.
Another option is to play recordings of predators like coyotes or wolves.
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These low-cost solutions don’t require any other upkeep and can be easily replaced over time.
Homemade garlic, hot pepper, and soap spraysare similar short-term solutions.
Intermingle these plants among other ornamentals or around vulnerable trees and shrubs.
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Keep in mind, deer may ignore this deterrent when food is scarce.
Hang strongly scented soaps around garden areas for a short-term stop-gap measure.
Caging or Row Covers
Deer can annihilate a young, tender bean crop in a single night.
Floating Row CoversPhoto: © Marie Iannotti (2008) licensed to About.com, Inc.
Use row covers to protect vegetable plants, daylilies, and other favorite deer foods.
check that row covers are adequately secured.
Your local wildlife agent or critter control agency can develop a plan for integrated pest management.
Look for an agency that specializes in deer control.
These professionals know of or are licensed to practice other humane methods for controlling problem deer.
Comparison of Commercial Deer Repellents.U.S.
Department of Agriculture Forestry Service
