Managing deer in the landscape

Tips and tricks to keep deer out of your gardens over the winter season and beyond

Our gardens, packed with nutritious plants, are hard for deer to resist, often leading to serious plant damage peaking during the lean winter months when food sources become limited. While there is no magic formula to eliminate deer from the landscape, several strategies can limit damage.

Deer exclusion through fencing

Fences are expensive and do not fit every landscape, but they’re often the best option and most effective to protect vegetables and heavily browsed areas. However, decorative fences can be easily jumped over by deer, prompting the need for alternative methods to keep them at bay.

Two common options are electric fences and eight-foot, lightweight polyethylene deer fences, which are easy to install and virtually disappear into the landscape when placed along a woody or brushy edge. You can also make deer fences more decorative by adding woodwork to corners and entryways.   

Scare tactics

Another strategy involves the use of scare tactics varying from guard dogs patrolling the property to devices that emit loud noises, flashing lights or sprays of water. Motion-activated sprinklers, for example, frighten deer with the sudden sound, motion and the short burst of water emitted when activated. Deer can become accustomed to scare devices, so they must be moved frequently or rotated through the garden.

Another tool is the wireless deer fence. Not a true fence, these stakes are baited with a deer-attracting lure. When deer sniff the bait, they are met with an electrical shock to the nose. Deer learn to associate the scent with the painful shock and avoid garden areas protected by the devices. 

Deer repellents

Area repellents utilize odors to deter deer and are generally less effective than contact repellents that deter feeding through unpalatable substances. You have probably heard people suggest a wide variety of repellents including human hair, bar soap, cat or dog feces and moth balls, which have shown little impact on deer browsing. The best repellents are thiram-based contact repellents such as Chaperone and Spotrete-F. Even commercial repellents will not entirely eliminate browsing. 

Habitat modification

Designing a garden that is less appealing to deer is a simple way to manage these animals. While no plant is entirely deer-proof, some, like santolina and thyme with strong odors, are often avoided by deer.
Other plants are unpalatable, including cacti and spiky hens and chicks. In areas where deer are a serious problem, it is best to avoid their favorite foods such as tulips, hostas and pansies. Lists of deer-resistant plants are easy to find online or at your county extension office.

Often, the best strategy involves combining several tactics, such as planting resistant species and protecting established, browse-prone plants with repellents. Deer fencing may also be an option for small spaces or vegetable gardens. You may need to experiment with different strategies until you find what works best in your landscape.