Deer Damage – Protect Your Landscape This Winter

Deer are beautiful animals and a sight to behold when discovered in nature. They can also be pesky unwanted visitors to your garden, causing damage to your lawn, plants and even your property. Discouraging deer from getting comfortable in your lawn is shrouded in tales, tips and myth; some that hold true, and some that are a true waste of time. In this guide, we’ll unpack the tips you need to follow to keep deer away from your lawn and prevent them from damaging your outdoor sanctuary.

Frequently Asked Questions About Preventing Deer Damage

1. Are my plants attracting deer? The answer is likely, yes. In fact, most of the time that homeowners or business owners experience issues with attracting deer, and the resulting damage they can cause, is related to the plants and flowers. Some examples of trees, shrubs, and plants that deer love include Blackberry, Spicebush, Juniper, Hawthorn, Flowering Dogwood, Fruit trees and Rhododendrons. Flowering plants that attract deer include Asters, Clover, Sunflowers, Verbena, Wild Strawberry and Geraniums.

2. Are there smells that can repel deer? The short answer is yes. The longer answer is you can either make your own or purchase deer repellent sprays to keep deer away from your lawn. Both store-bought and homemade options may work as deer have a strong sense of smell and use it as a form of protection from danger. Lemon balm, for example, is an excellent deer repellent that leaves a fragrance that is pleasing to most humans.

3. Do DIY deer repellents work? Keeping deer away from your garden doesn’t have to drain your savings. In fact, there are many do-it-yourself tricks you can whip up to keep deer damage under control.  You might even be able to keep deer away from your plants and trees with ingredients you already have in your home:

• Option 1: Homemade Deer Repellent Recipe - One cup of milk, One egg, One tablespoon cooking oil, One tablespoon liquid dish soap, Four cups of water, One gallon jug, Spray bottle

• Option 2: Red Pepper Deer Repellent Recipe – One gallon of water, Three tablespoons red pepper flakes, Two teaspoons liquid Castile soap, Spray bottle

• Option 3: Coffee grounds that offer many additional benefits, including fertilizing the soil and repelling other unwanted pests and animals, not only deer.

You can make these homemade deer repellent compounds that are environmentally friendly and safe right in your own backyard, and rest assured that you won’t harm the deer but will keep them out of your yard. Simply create whichever option you choose and apply generously to the edges of your yard. Reapply several times a month to keep deer away.

4. Can I plant something to keep deer away? To deter deer from getting comfortable in your yard, plant grasses and shrubs that are bitter, spiny, or potent. Deer avoid eating foul-smelling and bitter-tasting plants such as sages and herbs. Especially focus on planting these deer-deterrent plants around the perimeter of your yard.

5. Do electronic deer repellents work? Electronic deer repellents are ultrasonic devices that emit sounds at wavelengths only animals can hear. The results are mixed regarding the effectiveness of these devices, and they can be expensive as compared to other deer prevention options. Especially in suburban areas, deer quickly learn to tune out noises that are not a true threat to them.

Deer are beautiful animals, no doubt. Who doesn’t love Bambi, right? But, when it comes to your beautiful lawn and landscape that has taken you years to perfect, deer damage is something to avoid at all costs. You may, without even trying, be attracting deer just by planting plants they love and not taking some simple actions to keep them at bay. From deer resistant plants to deer repellent tricks, there are a multitude of ways to keep deer out of your yard.

At Spring-Green, we like to eliminate the guesswork for our customers and lend our expertise to help them find the easiest way to achieve their goals. These tips for preventing deer damage can help you protect your outdoor landscape, but, of course, the pros at Spring-Green are here if you need more consultation. For more tips on how to prevent deer damage or repair damage from deer, contact Spring-Green today.