Check out the list of Foolproof Ways to Keep Deer Out of Garden without spending much to keep your plants safe!
If you’re looking for Foolproof Ways to Keep Deer Out of Garden, we have you covered. Here are some simple and effective methods to ensure your garden is safe!
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Foolproof Ways to Keep Deer Out of Garden
1. Install a Deer Fence
This can be a very effective solution, though it might also be the most costly. A deer fence should be at least 8 feet high because deer can jump quite high.
Here are some awesome plants you can grow as fence
2. Use Netting
If a fence is not possible, using netting around individual plants or trees can be an effective way to protect them from deer.
3. Add Reflective Objects
Objects that create movement or reflect light (like CDs, aluminum foil, or wind chimes) can frighten deer away.
4. Install Motion-Activated Sprinklers
These can startle deer and deter them from coming back. They’re relatively easy to set up and can cover a large area.
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5. Use Electronic Deer Repellents
These devices use ultrasonic waves to deter deer. However, their effectiveness may vary, and some deer may become accustomed to the noise over time.
6. Go for Commercial Deer Repellents
These can be sprayed on and around plants. They work by either producing a foul smell or an unpleasant taste. Most of them are safe for plants and the environment.
7. Plant Repellent Crops
Deer are known to dislike certain plants. Planting crops like lavender, rosemary, sage, and other strongly scented plants can deter them.
8. Use Egg-Based Repellent
Mix eggs with water and spray the solution around your garden. The smell of rotten eggs repels deer. Remember to reapply after it rains.
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9. Gor For Garlic and Hot Pepper Spray
Blend two bulbs of garlic and two hot peppers in a blender with a small amount of water. Add this mixture to a gallon of water with a tablespoon of dish soap (which helps it stick to the plants). Spray this on and around your plants.
10. Use Soap Bars
Hanging bars of strongly scented soap can also deter deer. They dislike the strong smell.
11. Use Human Hair
Deer are often deterred by the scent of humans. You can collect hair from your hairbrushes and spread it around the garden.
12. Install Wind Chimes or Other Noise Makers
Sudden noises can scare deer away. The unpredictable sounds of wind chimes can deter them.
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13. Remove Attractants
Deer are often drawn to gardens because of the presence of food sources. Clear away fallen fruits, nuts, or bird feeders that may attract deer.
Also, consider removing plants that are particularly attractive to deer, such as hostas or azaleas.
14. Consider Planting Strong Scented Plants
Planting strong-smelling or spiky plants around your garden can act as natural deterrents. Examples include garlic, onions, mint, or thorny bushes like barberry or holly.
15. Employ Scare Tactics
Use scarecrows, inflatable predators, or mylar balloons with reflective surfaces to create the illusion of predators and deter deer. Move these deterrents around periodically to prevent deer from getting used to them.
16. Use White Vinegar / Vinegar Spray
Mix equal parts water and vinegar (white or apple cider) and spray this solution on your plants. Be aware, though, that some plants might not tolerate vinegar well.
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17. Avoid Plants that Deer Like
Avoid planting English ivy, lettuces, beans, peas, hostas, impatiens, and pansies, as deer find them particularly tempting. Even fruit trees are at risk because deer are drawn to the sweet taste and flavor of strawberries and peaches, just like people are.
Check Do Deer Eat Mums? here
18. Cover up New Plantings
To prevent deer from eating your fruits, bulbs, and bushes, you can cover them with netting. You can use garden nets like Vexar, tree protectors like Tubex, or plastic tree wrap to create a physical barrier that keeps deer away from your plants.
19. Grow Pungent Perennials
Deer are often deterred by strong scents, and planting pungent perennials can be a good way to keep them out of your garden.
- Sage (Salvia): Sage, particularly ornamental sage, has a strong scent that can repel deer. It’s also drought-tolerant and comes in a variety of colors.
- Mint (Mentha): Mint has a very strong smell. However, be aware that mint can be invasive, so consider planting it in containers.
- Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia): This plant is not a true sage, but it has a pungent aroma that can deter deer. It also has beautiful blue-violet flowers.
- Bee Balm (Monarda): Bee balm has a strong scent and is also great for attracting beneficial insects like bees and butterflies.
- Catmint (Nepeta): Catmint is very fragrant and is often used in deer-resistant plantings. It has beautiful blue flowers and is also drought-tolerant.
- Yarrow (Achillea millefolium): Yarrow has a strong scent and is also a hardy plant that’s resistant to many pests and diseases.
- Marigolds (Tagetes): Marigolds have a strong scent that can deter deer. They also have the added benefit of deterring many insect pests.
- Oregano (Origanum vulgare): Oregano’s strong scent can deter deer. This herb also enjoys full sun and well-drained soil.
Check the Best Deer Resistant Perennials here
20. Keep Your Pet Dog Out in the Garden
Having a pet dog is highly effective in managing deer. Regardless of their size, dogs naturally repel deer with their scent and barking.
21. Use Bright Lights
Deer prefer to feed during the nighttime because they don’t like bright lights. By installing motion-sensitive floodlights, you can effectively deter them. When the lights suddenly turn on, it startles the deer and makes them stop.
Note: Over time, deer realize that the light is harmless and may become less responsive to it.
22. Go for Wi-Fi Connected Deer Deterrents
In today’s age of smart homes, there are devices that connect to your home Wi-Fi and send you notifications when they detect deer activity. Some can even be controlled remotely to activate deterrent measures like sounds, lights, or sprinklers.
23. Use Ultrasonic Repellents
Ultrasonic devices emit a high-frequency sound that deer find disturbing and thus avoid. These sounds are typically inaudible to humans, so they shouldn’t cause any noise disturbance.
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24. Use Plant Shock
A product called Plant Skydd emits an odor that smells like a dead animal, which in turn repels deer. It doesn’t harm plants and is safe for use around people and pets.
25. Sprinkle Predator Urine
While not the most pleasant solution, using the urine of predators like coyotes or wolves can be an effective deterrent. There are synthetic versions available that may be more palatable.
26. Install Automated Garden Guards
Some companies have started manufacturing garden guards that use infrared technology to detect deer. When deer are detected, the device uses water sprays or sounds to scare the deer away.
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27. Use Fishing Line
Deer can’t see fishing line, but they’ll feel it if they walk into it. By stringing fishing line around the garden at a height of about 2-3 feet, it can startle the deer and scare them away.
28. Plant Distraction Feeding
Plant a separate patch of plants just for the deer away from your main garden. This isn’t a guaranteed solution and is generally seen as a last resort.
