It is amazing that animals as beautiful and graceful as deer can be so destructive. As we have taken over more of their land and removed their natural predators, our prized landscape plants have become dinner for deer. Now we have to become detectives to determine what method of deer control works best in our lives and in our yards. While we can spend a lot of time trying to keep the deer away from our plants, we have to accept that the deer are not going to choose to starve to death. Sometimes the best we will be able to do is encourage them to look elsewhere.

There are various deer control products and methods available, but they key is to find a way that not only works, but does not cost a fortune or detract from the beauty of the landscaping. Fencing is most effective, but it does not always fit in with the aesthetics of our landscapes or budgets. Repellents seem best suited to the home landscape. Given the tremendous number of deer in urban areas, there has been a lot of research on repellents.

All repellents taste horrible to deer and even smell offensive. After research was completed, the general conclusion seems to be that all repellents work some of the time. No repellents have been found to work all of the time. Below you will find a list of products you can use as repellents, and a few details about each. Ask around and see if your friends and neighbors have any ideas. Deterring deer can become a battle of the wits, and you need all the creative ideas you can muster. One gardener had good luck with a light and radio (tuned to an all-talk station) hooked to a sensor that turns on when the deer walk into the yard at night.

Substances Used as Deer Repellent

Hinder - The active ingredient in this repellent is ammonium soaps. It repels by smell and taste and rates consistently high in the studies. It needs to be re-applied regularly. Hinder is labeled for use on any plant.

Deer-Away - Made of putrescent egg solids, Deer-Away repels by smell and taste. It rates consistently high in effectiveness studies, but needs to be re-applied regularly. It is labeled for use on trees and shrubs.

Tree Guard - A local product with lots of promise, Tree Guard is a latex-base spray that sticks to the plants for weeks (maybe months); and repels by taste. The active ingredient is a horrible tasting chemical that will not hurt the deer. It is currently labeled for use on trees and shrubs. They are working on having it re-labeled to include annuals and perennials. It has received mixed ratings in tests, but has gained an excellent reputation among homeowners.

Milorganite - This is an organic lawn and garden fertilizer made from Milwaukee's waste water treatment process, and it repels by smell. Test results are mixed on this product. Some studies say it is the best; others are less enthusiastic. As a deer repellent, the manufacturer recommends applying it lightly every 2 weeks. They also suggest not working it into the soil or applying a 2-3 inch wide band an inch or two deep around the planting area.

Plants That Deer Like to Eat

Plants Deer Usually Avoid Eating

© Bachman's 2007