Home Remedies

Deer Repellent

Various types of devices and chemicals have been used to repel deer including scare devices, over-the-counter repellent sprays and powder, and home remedies. Scare devices such as exploders, radios, lights, and even a dog on a leash have short-term limited effectiveness at best.

Home remedies such as hanging bags of hair, soap, rotten eggs or animal urine are not trustworthy, long-term repellents. Over-the-counter repellents have been the most successful deterrent
for non-commercial users experiencing light to moderate damage. However, repellents must be applied frequently
and vigilantly prior to and during the period of anticipated damage in order to be effective. For example, repellents should be applied to plants prior to planting and reapplied during the growing season.* ‘Hinder,’ which is a mixture of ammonium soaps, and ‘Deer Away,’ made from putrescent whole egg solids have been the most widely used and effective repellent sprays.

From A Gardener’s Guide to Preventing Deer Damage by California Department of Fish and Game’s Wildlife Programs Branch

Deer Repellent Basics

Repellents
There are quite a few products with flavors and odors offensive to deer that gardeners can spray on plants or spread on the soil. Some (fermented egg yolks) offend deer's sense of smell; others (predator urines) frighten them. More of these products are licensed for use on ornamental plants than on food plants; follow directions for application. Home remedies abound, as well, including cayenne, hot-pepper sauce, talcum powder, blood meal, dog hair, and deodorant soap.

Scare tactics
You can spend hundreds of dollars on ultrasonic noisemakers, motion-sensitive light systems, and water cannons to drive deer away, or a few cents on aluminum pie tins that flash in the sun. Radios cranked up to all-night talk shows or loud music can work, but check with the neighbors first. A barking dog (real or recorded) behind an invisible fence can persuade deer to stay away, too.

Barriers
Permanent boundary fencing requires many tools: the fencing, fence posts, post-hole digger, and a strong crew to put it together. You may also need a permit to erect a fence in your community. Plastic screen netting is cheaper and easier to install.

An electric fence is a good choice for garden beds. Bait the fence with peanut butter, and when the deer come in for their snack, they'll learn that your gardens are to be avoided. To avoid injuries, alert neighborhood children and owners of small pets about your electric fence.

Caging tree saplings and young shrubs is a good option where you have just a few to protect. Once trees are older, they'll be more resistant to browsing deer.

Fabric row covers supported with hoops can protect vegetable beds. "Invisible" mesh netting can be erected over ornamentals to allow viewing but not chewing.

A single strand of monofilament fish line strung across a deer path creates an invisible force that can confuse the creatures enough to detour them around your garden.

Plant choices
Food preferences of deer vary based on population pressures and available choices. Here is where information about local herds comes in handy. There is probably a list of plants that deer shun in your area. In general, deer tend to pass on ferns and ornamental grasses, plants with fuzzy foliage, and plants that taste of lemon, mint, or sage, and those that are bitter and pungent (hot and spicy).

Home Remedies

Deer Repellent Recipe
From Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

Into a one-gallon tank sprayer, mix:

2 beaten and strained eggs (strain them, or that funny piece of egg white will plug up your sprayer)
1 cup of milk, yogurt, buttermilk, sour milk, or the like
1 tsp of liquid dish soap
1 tsp of liquid cooking oil
20 drops of essential oil of clove, cinnamon or eucalyptus (“essential” is most concentrated, available from health food stores in 2-month supply size vials)

Top the tank off with water and pump it up. Mist lightly on dry foliage, with no rain coming for a couple hours. This will last for 2 to 6 weeks, depending on the weather. Like all home remedies, one may work on some deer but none seem to work on all of them.

Human Hair in Bags - Collect hair from local barber shop. Put two large handfuls of hair in open mesh bag. Hang bags near crops 28-32 inches above ground.

Tankage in Bags - Put 1/2-1 cup of tankage (animal waste) in cloth bag. Hang bags in same manner as hair.

Bars of Soap - Brand makes no difference. Use small bars or cut large ones in sections. Hang by wire in same manner as hair.

 

Other repellents available:

REPEL ANIMAL REPELLENT
Farnam Co. Inc.
301 W. Osborn Rd.
Phoenix, AZ 85013
(800) 825-2555

HOT SAUCE ANIMAL REPELLENT
Miller Chemical & Fertilizer Corp.
P.O. Box 333
Hanover, PA 17331

HINDER
Crompton Chemical
UAP Great Lakes
La Crescent, MN
(507) 895-2103

**DEER AWAY
Intagra, Inc.
8500 Pillsbury Ave. South
Minneapolis, MN 55420
(612) 881-5535

NATIONAL DEER REPELLANT
National Scent
P.O. Box 667
San Jacinto, CA 92581
(909) 654-2442

* Consult individual manufacturers for proper spray concentration and application.
** Deer Away is not approved for application on edible crops.

Have a home remedy or alternative solution that you'd like to share? Email us.
Veranda Landscaping does not assume any responsibility or endorsement of home remedies or suggestions made on this site. For further information, please consult your nursery or other plant care professional.