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The deer are winning at my garden this year. Last night was the second destruction. Is it possible they are getting immune to the smell of Liquid Fence?
Yes, they get used to smell of the same product. I rotate with many products and also occasionally put down Milorganite. For example, “ I Must Garden’ Deer repellent, Deer Scram granular, Bobbex Deer repellent, Deer Fence, DEER DEFEAT. Some testimonials say that Garlic Barrier help. They chomp down on my mom’s hostas too. Changing their walking behaviors in the spring is essential. If they keep smelling tasting things they dislike early, they will search elsewhere for food. But you must be consistent in applying these products, or put up a deer fence.
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I have had SOME luck with deer fence, but planting allysum around them last year seemed to work the best. They hate the smell. It’s not going to completely stop them- but cut my problem probably by 80%. I have about 200 allysum in the basement under grow lamps to move outside tomorrow.
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Last night at our meeting, Phil Edmunds told us to use a spray containing stinky eggs. I just sprayed mine with a Deer Repel or something like that. Home Depot.
Faith Gant and John Moe also have recommended a product but I can’t remember the name. I have 3 motion activated sprinklers set up too.
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We just have an actual deer fence, but I’m wondering if Bitter Spray from the vet hospital would work? Keeps dogs off their bandages like a charm and I bet a few nibbles and they’d learn shortly.
We have several rose bushes which aren’t protected by fencing, but the deer have never damaged them though everyone around here has problems with deer. We allow spiderwort (Tradescantia sp.) to grow freely in this rose bed. I have read that deer do not like this plant and think this may be what protects these roses.
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The rotation is important. Another economical product is DeerOut and can be found online.
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Having been deer free for 10 years…I can share what helped my buds from deer who had my rose show schedule. They would hit two weeks before the show!
You have to train the deer who dont migrate more than 2 miles from where they were born. The mom trains them where the good buffets are.
Everguard based ingredient is rotten eggs. Treat approach ares, woods, street post lamps , the side of house, outside of garden to set up barrier so they dont make it to your bushes, tulles, hosts, etc. Then fill cotton cosmetic pouches with blood meal, a second deterrent with a different mode of action, The one /two punch done methodically will solve a horrible deer problem. If persistent, add a water scarecrow or a motion sensor blow up doll for a scare effect. The combination will train the deer in a growing season, to stay away, You have to be more determined than the deer!
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Alyssum is Good for beneficial insects too!
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We have a big population of deer here. We saw some in our fenced in rose garden from time to time. Audrey Palumbo was visiting one day and she casually mentioned spraying home made egg emulsion ever week to ten days. Recipe below. An easy to make formula and having nothing to lose, I decided to give it a try. And it worked! One Friday we sprayed and went out of town to attend a retreat. We came back on Monday to find a newborn fawn in our rose garden. A quick search on Google, we learned it was best to levae them alone. Mama would leave in the morning and return in the evening. They camped out for four days and then they were gone. No roses were eaten in our garden Mama always went out to find food. A greater testament I can’t think of.
One egg, one cup of milk, one tablespoon olive oil. Blend thoroughly, run through a screen such as the one used for straining tea. Dilute to one gallon with water. Add a quarter teaspoon of dish soap. non-detergent and spray. My garden of 135 big rose bushes, and a few vegetables gets thorough coverage with six eggs, six cups of milk and six tablespoon olive oil. Obvious advantage over commercially sold preparations are the low cost, ease of preparation, not as stinky, no storage required. And EFFECTIVE ! Downside: none !
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