Safe Tips to Stop Deer From Damaging Your Landscape

If you are a gardener, then you know the threat deer can pose to your plants. Deer are beautiful creatures and add a lovely backdrop to your backyard’s scene in the middle of a white blanket of snow, but when you have tender young tees or delicious vegetables growing, they can turn your hard work into a mass of destruction. Deer are active throughout the year, but when winter approaches, food sources become less available. White-tailed deer, the species that reside here in Rhode Island, prefer to feed on gardens, landscape plants, and trees. They eat the leaves, stems, and buds of woody plants, including fruits and nuts (especially acorns), garden vegetables, flowers, and crops.

The Damage Deer Can Cause

The damage they do to trees is most problematic because they chew large amounts of leaves and twigs from the young trees, particularly maple and walnut trees. This can stunt the growth or even potentially kill the tree if enough foliage is removed. Damaged or weakened branches can be an open invitation to disease and pests. Damage done to trees usually has a rough or torn appearance and does not look cleanly clipped. The best way to way to protect your trees, plants, and gardens is to keep deer guessing and implement various methods to keep them away. Here are a few non-harmful tips for doing just that.

Deer Resistant Plants

Believe it or not, there are certain types of vegetation that deer don’t find tasty.

Some of these common deer-resistant plants are:

Lavender
Onions
Foxglove
Lamb’s ears
Thyme

Wind Chimes

While deer are very tolerant of people and will often give birth in fields close to homes, they are also very skittish. They will perk up their heads at the slightest sound or movement. Try hanging a few wind chimes around your home for temporary relief. Just remember, deer are smarter than we think, and once they catch on, you may have to find another method.

Use a Radio

Many people swear by the use of a radio to deter deer. All you need is a battery-powered portable radio and something to cover it to protect it from the rain and dew. A laundry basket should do the trick. Gardeners who use this method say that talk radio or a sports network works best. Deer hear the voices and think someone is nearby and move away.

A Fence

The ultimate defense is a very sturdy fence. If you’re going to use a fence to keep deer out of your garden, then you should take into account how high deer can jump. A fence at least seven feet high should do the trick. Deer can sense how high a barrier is, so refrain from using wooden top rails that deer can see and calculate their jumps.

Deer Repellent

Deer repellents often come in spray bottles and use an assortment of deer and human smells to deter deer and keep them at bay. Most work by using a combination of smell and taste deterrents. Spray the deer repellent on and around the plants you want to protect. The key to deer repellent is being consistent. Most repellents only last a few days or until the rain washes it away. To maintain full protection, you’ll need to re-apply regularly.

Hire the Professionals at 4-Evergreen

Most of us don’t have time to spray our trees and plants continuously. Fences cost money and are time-consuming. Wind chimes are only a temporary fix. Rather than continue to scratch your head and wonder what to do next, contact the professionals at 4-Evergreen. Our Everguard Deer and Rabbit Repellent will effectively deter the deer from destroying your landscape. Don’t make the mistake of thinking deer will find another yard and eventually go away. Most deer are creatures of habit, and once they find a food source they like, they will continue to come back and feast. Our deer and rabbit repellent are both safe and nontoxic, so while no harm will come to these beautiful creatures, their next meal will be in someone else’s backyard.

Keep up with the latest tips and tricks in tree care, lawn care, pest control, and more by following our monthly blog and following us on Facebook for the latest news. Call us at (401) 398-8850 or fill out our contact form below!