Budget-friendly solutions for repelling deer from your property, as recommended by professionals, with 3 easy methods detailed
In the quest to protect gardens from deer, a combination of methods is key. From homemade scent-based sprays to visual deterrents and physical barriers, these tactics offer a sustainable approach to deer protection.
For scent-based repellents, a popular mixture includes hot sauce, garlic powder, liquid dish soap, and water. Applied around plants and garden borders, this concoction creates strong odors and tastes that deer dislike. Another homemade repellent blends eggs, garlic, and cayenne pepper with water, which is strained and sprayed to keep deer away. Using used coffee grounds sprinkled around plants can also serve as a scent-based deterrent.
To maintain effectiveness, it's essential to rotate repellents regularly to prevent deer from becoming accustomed to any single smell. Amy Enfield, senior horticulturist at ScottsMiracle-Gro, warns against relying on just one type of scent or taste repellent, as deer may eventually grow accustomed to the smell or taste.
Visual and sensory deterrents include motion-activated sprinklers that startle deer with bursts of water, motion sensor lights or leaving bright lights on at night, wind chimes or garden ornaments that create unpredictable noises and movements. Homemade tomato cage-style wire enclosures can protect individual vulnerable plants, while row covers or fabric barriers for garden beds, especially for edible plants, physically block deer access.
Physical barriers like fencing at least 7 feet tall are the most reliable prevention but may be costly and require space. In late winter or early spring, when food is scarce, supplement scent-based methods with physical barriers, such as steel garden fencing, to protect the garden.
Combining multiple tactics—rotating scent repellents, adding visual or motion-based deterrents, and physical barriers—offers the most sustainable deer protection. Any DIY spray should be applied around plants, not directly on edible parts, and reapplied regularly after rain or watering.
Herbal scents can deter other pests, such as squirrels (peppermint) and mosquitoes and other insects (thyme and basil). Deer-resistant plants can make a yard less inviting to deer. Horticulturist Peggy Anne Montgomery recommends deer-resistant bulbs, such as daffodils, alliums, and hyacinths. Rebecca Sears, a gardening expert from Ferry-Morse, recommends planting aromatic herbs such as lavender, mint, rosemary, oregano, sage, and thyme around the perimeter of a garden to deter deer.
It's a good idea to move the deterrents around in the yard occasionally to prevent deer from becoming used to them. Aluminum pie pans, old CDs or DVDs, and shiny streamers can be used as visual deterrents. Punch holes in pie pans to hang them with string, and string two pie pans together back-to-back for an added deterrent.
Avoid using deterrents that could harm wildlife or pets, such as chemical-based products not intended for garden use, or sharp objects like barbed wire. Remember, maintaining a diverse and rotating approach to deer deterrents is crucial for long-term success in protecting your garden.
[1] Enfield, A. (2021). DIY Deer Deterrents. [Online]. Available: https://www.scotts.com/content/deer-deterrents
[2] Sears, R. (2021). DIY Deer Deterrents: A Comprehensive Guide. [Online]. Available: https://www.ferrymorse.com/blog/diy-deer-deterrents-a-comprehensive-guide
[3] Montgomery, P. A. (2020). Deer-Resistant Gardening: Tips and Tricks. [Online]. Available: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/pests/deer/deer-resistant-gardening-tips-and-tricks.htm
[4] Smith, J. (2019). How to Keep Deer Out of Your Garden. [Online]. Available: https://www.hgtv.com/outdoors/how-to/gardening/how-to-keep-deer-out-of-your-garden
[1] Given the importance of rotating repellents to prevent deer from becoming accustomed to any single smell, it's advisable to use a combination of homemade scent-based repellents such as garlic powder, hot sauce, liquid dish soap, and water, along with herbal scents like peppermint, thyme, and basil, in a home-and-garden lifestyle for effective deer protection.
[2] To enhance the protection of your garden from deer, consider using visual and sensory deterrents like motion-activated sprinklers, motion sensor lights, wind chimes, or garden ornaments, in conjunction with physical barriers such as tomato cage-style wire enclosures, row covers, fabric barriers, or fencing, thus implementing a sustainable lifestyle that balances home-and-garden, gardening, and DIY practices.
