Deer deterrents?

[mtrent]

Bamboo really works. I have also seen mesh laid across it.

[fireflies]

Bamboo really works. I have also seen mesh laid across it.

Bamboo is really great. I haven't had any issues with deer in my neighborhood since I got some.

[Charm Dreier]

I have a few ideas that no one mentioned yet in the previous posts. Motion-activated sprinkler-- starts and sprays water on them as they come near the radar. Very effective at startling them into bolting out of your garden. The other idea is deer spray. Some brands are "Liquid Fence", "Deer Off", & "Not Tonight, Deer" (which has a very funny illustration of two beer in bed on the front of the bottle). They are natural but totally nasty!!!! They are made with putrified egg solids and capsicum peppers, and usually also garlic. They stink to high heaven when you are applying them. Don't apply them in a wind since it will spray back on you and you will want to puke at how bad you smell. I think the first few days, the deer (and other munching creatures, such as rabbits) are repelled by the horrible stink, but after the stink receeds after a couple of days, they might take a bite only to realize that the plant now tastes horrible! It really works. It lasts until it rains or gets sprayed off by irrigation sprayers or the plant grows out. I generally spray some of my clients gardens once a month with the stuff.

[LIcenter]

If you have a deer problem DO NOT plant Hosta's. It's deer salad, and they will eat you out of house and yard. All the big box stores sell a black mesh plastic fence, that has one inch squares. You wouldn't think this flimsy stuff would stop them, but it does. How it works is, the deer can't see it, and have no way to know how to judge how high or wide it is, so they just back off, and move on to the neighbors house.

[garby8265]

If you have a deer problem DO NOT plant Hosta's. It's deer salad, and they will eat you out of house and yard. All the big box stores sell a black mesh plastic fence, that has one inch squares. You wouldn't think this flimsy stuff would stop them, but it does. How it works is, the deer can't see it, and have no way to know how to judge how high or wide it is, so they just back off, and move on to the neighbors house.

I've heard the same thing about hostas apparently deer absolutely love them.