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Discourage deer from dining in your yard, garden

Residents may have to use a variety of approaches to deter deer from feasting on their shrubs or garden. What deters one deer may not deter another.

By Maureen Keilty

Living with Wildlife Advisory Board

Deer freely browse our landscapes, from city lawns to country orchards. For area gardeners and homeowners, deer are a curse.

A defensive strategy that includes fencing, netting and tubing, treating plants with deer repellent and selecting plants unappealing to deer is the most effective approach to dealing with deer.

Physical barriers keep deer away from your green treasures. Enclosing a garden in a fence 8-feet high prevents the agile jumpers from leaping into their next meal. Black propylene deer fencing in 2-inch netting is virtually invisible in a wooded setting, relatively inexpensive and easy to install.

Row covers anchored in place over short crops such as bush beans conceal plants from eavesdropping deer while providing sun and wind protection. Chicken wire wrapped over a shrub or a small flower bed inhibits deer from nibbling leaves or picking fruit.

An 8-foot tall fence is also the most effective deer deterrent for trees. Significant damage to trees is often the result of male deer rubbing against the trunk, scraping velvet from their antlers. Once the velvet is removed, deer may continue to polish their antlers by rubbing up and down the trunk.

Tubes of Vexar are the best guardians for small or seedling-sized trees. Constructed of a plastic-like material in a diamond net pattern, the 16-inch by 4-inch tube supported by a bamboo stick protects a young tree from intruding deer. Once the seedlings are established, Vexar sunlight-degrades over five years. Vexar tree tubes are inexpensive and available online.

Other tree protectants include plastic wrap around trunks and plastic netting draped over a fruiting tree. Harvesting unripe fruit is the recommended route to tasting a tree’s product before deer devour the entire crop.

Repellents are an effective, affordable means of discouraging deer. Many commercial formulas are available at local garden and hardware stores. However, the cheapest repellent, ranked highly effective in a 1992 Colorado State University study of repellents tested on deer and elk is simply chicken eggs (20 percent) and water (80 percent). One egg, one quart of water is sufficient for home gardeners.

Make the “Not Tonite Deer” spray by using a pair of tweezers to remove the chalaza or white membrane attached to the yolk. Doing so prevents the sprayer from clogging. Mix the egg and water in a blender then fill a quart-sized spray bottle. Spray the foul-smelling repellent on dry, windless days. Though weather repellent for 30 days, repeat applications on new growth of plants is recommended.

Plant placement and selection is a big factor in deer appeal. “Deer resistant” marks many plants sold in nurseries, but keep in mind no plant is “deer proof.” Hungry deer will find almost any plant palatable.

Deer rely on sense of smell, so try chives, garlic, marigold, lavender or mint to mask the aroma of tastier greens.

Though a deer’s sense of smell trumps touch, plant textures can turn off the hungriest deer. Thorny, prickly and hairy foliage such as potentilla, Russian sage, lambs ears and yarrow rank unpopular among deer and elk.

Scare tactics like an ever-vigilant dog, scarecrow, wind chimes and movement-activated floodlights work for a short time before deer become desensitized.

Deer are like people. What deters one won’t always deter another.

Putting a few of these tips into practice, before deer become a problem, is the best way to prevent damage to your vegetation.

Maureen Keilty, a master gardener since 2001 is the La Plata County Living with Wildlife Advisory Board chairwoman.



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