How to dissuade deer and other garden munchers

I’ve had multiple people express frustration with wildlife visits to prior garden plots.

“What can I do to stop them this year?”

Well, here’s the best advice extension can offer. And thanks to Lorena for the catchy title.

Deer

Deer like to nibble, tasting first one plant, then another and will return to your garden repeatedly if they’ve learned there are tasty things there. At first, deer can be an exciting novelty. Finding their cloven tracks in moist garden soil or catching sight of one in the early morning hours can make you feel part of nature. Then, as they develop a liking for your garden plants and produce, your emotions develop more Rambo than Walt Disney as you witness the havoc left by Bambi’s nightly visits.

Other Wildlife

Many other animals can be problematic in gardens, depending on where you live. Rabbits, squirrels, skunks, raccoons, birds, etc. Each one has individual characteristics that make their management slightly different. The management methods I discuss still apply, just with adjustments to address the abilities each animal possesses. Voles and gophers are an exception, with entirely different management strategies being necessary. University of Idaho has some great information on dealing with these pests.

Elimination Methods

With your inner warrior awakened by raiding wildlife, lethal control measures may become appealing. This may or may not be allowed. Any species managed by the state (like deer) cannot be harassed, injured, or killed except under rules specified by the state (deer hunting season with a valid license for example). There are often protections on other wildlife not managed by the state as well. Nongame and unprotected nuisance animals (like raccoons) can be removed through lethal means. The Idaho Department of Fish and Game is a great resource to consult before moving in this direction.

Many people feel better about using a live trap to catch a nuisance animal and then release them, “back into the wild.” This, however, is not a good idea. It is illegal to transport live wildlife without a special license. Also, when an animal is moved to a new location it will struggle to survive. Other wildlife already lives in that location and excess resources seldom exist. Your well-meaning heart may cause the animal more suffering than a quick dispatch method.

Exclusion Methods

Exclusion with fencing is the most effective way to prevent damage to gardens. See-through fences must be at least 8 feet tall to prevent deer from leaping over and extend all the way to ground to prevent them from ducking underneath. A 6-foot privacy fence is not as likely to be jumped as deer cannot see where to land on the other side. You may also be successful with a shorter fence if you add another barrier within 3 feet of the exterior of the fence, especially if this other barrier is an electrified fence. Deer like to be right next to the barrier they are jumping, and an additional fence prevents that.

A side note: if you have young trees, they may be a target for antler rubbing starting in September. Tree wraps or three posts within about 12 inches of the trunk will prevent damage from antler rubbing.

Scare Devices

Noise devices, lights, scarecrows, and gadgets that blow in the wind are all temporary solutions at best. A motion sensor water sprinkler is the only one that may offer acceptable protection. Placement of the sprinkler, or using multiple sprinklers is critical.
A dog is typically the most effective scare tactic. The right dog can make a huge difference. The wrong dog may not have the personality to act as yard protector, and therefore ineffective.

Repellants

Various repellant methods can be used but rarely give acceptable results. Animals become used to them. The repellant washes off with rain, irrigation and dew. Repellants are best used in conjunction with other methods.

There are many pests and multiple techniques to manage wildlife pests. No plan should go into practice without considerable thought. A great resource to dig deep into this topic is the Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management.