Wednesday, July 2, 2025 - How to Keep Deer From Eating Your Plants

 

 

We have had several reports that deer have been feasting in the garden at night. While annoying to be sure, it is a fact of nature that we just have to deal with pest control of one kind or another. Here are some ideas that you can use to help keep the deer from snacking on your treasured plants…

Choose Deer-Resistant Plants

While hungry deer may eat just about anything, they tend to avoid prickly and fuzzy foliage. And, they don’t really like heavily fragranced plants, either. Experiment with different textured and aromatic plants. Try using them as borders for your garden beds.

 


 

Place Bar Soap Near Plants

To keep deer away, many gardeners turn to ordinary bar soap. The scent is said to interfere with their sensitive sense of smell. Choose a brand with a powerful fragrance (I’m told Irish Spring is a favourite), and hang bars from strings in large shrubs or attach bars to stakes and place them around the edges of your garden beds.


Scatter Human Hair Around Plants

The scent of human hair can also prevent deer from entering a garden. Ask your barber or hairdresser for some clippings. Scatter the hair like mulch across your garden beds, or stuff it into pantyhose and hang the deer-deterrent stockings out of sight throughout the landscape.

Apply a Deer-Repellant Spray to the Plants

As long as you apply them on a routine basis, spray deterrents can help stop deer from eating your plants. Dozens of commercially-made brands are available, most of which use a foul scent and taste terrible to deer. You could also try one of the many recipes for homemade spray repellants. Many gardeners have reported success with various blends of eggs, hot sauce, garlic and clove oil.

Add a Motion Sensor Light or Alarm Near the Plants

A solar-powered motion sensor light or alarm may frighten deer away. The best type to use are those with a motion sensor, as the deer may quickly come to understand that certain lights and repetitive sounds pose no real threat.


Physically Protect Your Garden Plants

A physical barrier is considered to be the most effective method for keeping deer from eating up the landscape. Plastic netting or floating row covers can protect your plants for a minimal cost.



 


 


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