White Tail Deer Pics

White Tail Deer Pictures

White Tail Deer Photos

Pest in the Garden

Gardeners generally put up a good fight against many dreaded "Pests in the Garden." But no matter how hard they try, sometimes they win, and other times, they do not. I remember someone once telling me that the smaller the pest, the smaller the problem, and the larger the pest, the larger the problem. I discovered that in gardening, that is not necessarily true. So what is a gardener to do to keep, oh say, the White-tailed deer out of the garden? As beautiful as they are, they are still a pest when they come into the garden. So what are you going to do?
Well, I found it to be very helpful, researching all the possibilities that appealed to me, and deciding what would best meet the needs of my particular situation. I asked myself questions like:
1. Did I want to go natural, chemical, natural chemical, or physical?
2. Will it be safe around children, pets, and other animals?
3. Can I do it myself or do I need an installer.
4. What is my budget?
5. Should I make an initial, larger investment in a long term solution?
6. Do I plan on a scheduled program that requires ongoing attention?
If you decide to go a natural, earth friendly way, here are a few techniques you may want to consider when dealing with the destructive, dinning deer population in your garden. You can try making your garden undesirable to the deer. It is called the passive method of deterrence. It is accomplished by planting a selection of plants, trees and shrubs that render your garden unappealing to the deer. Examples of some trees and shrubs you may like to consider are: Barberry, Bayberry, Hawthorne, Mt. Laurel, and Primrose. Jasmine, Fire-bush, Elderberry, Rhododendron, Sassafras, Magnolia, Japanese Maple, Agarita, Heaths and Heathers, and Upright Rosemary.
Some examples of plants (annuals and perennials) that are not so tasty to deer are: Annuals: Ageratum, Cleome, Dianthus, Petunia, Alyssum, Forget-me-not, Globe Amaranth, Snapdragons, Celosia, Heliotrope, Stock, Centaurea, Larkspur, Sweet Basil. This is a short list. There are many other Annuals that deer do not care for. Perennials: Amaryllis, Angel Trumpet, Indigo Spires Salvia, Mallow. Hibiscus, Dusty Miller, Mexican Honeysuckle, Rosemary, Honeysuckle, Angel Trumpet, Peony, Ferns, Gold moss, Sedum, Clematis, Bearded Iris. This, too, is a short list. There are also many other Perennials that deer do not care for.
When planting undesirable plants for the deer, you must remember one thing. When times get rough, the deer will eat almost anything to survive. Take heart! We can only do so much when the law of preservation comes into play. Chemical deterrents should also be considered for use against the pesky deer. These can be natural, as well as manufactured products. There is a product called Deer Repellant, which is a natural blend of non-toxic ingredients manufactured as a deer deterrent. It is safe for all pets and animals, and even children.
You can also treat your garden with a mixture of undesirable things from around the house. Ingredients that make the vegetation of plants or flowers taste nasty or smell really bad to the deer. Human hair, hung in cotton bags around the garden, is considered a good method for chasing away deer. Some tell me that hot peppers, sprinkled in the garden, works as a deterrent for deer. Others have spoken of how using a bar of soap can be helpful in keeping the deer away. You simply hang the bar of soap, in the box, in a feeding location, or cut the bar into slivers and toss then around the garden. And what kind of soap chases away the deer? Well, I have been informed that only "Irish Spring' can clean up the deer activity.
A natural, chemical way to settle the score against the rogue deer is to mark your garden with the scent of a natural foe, O de'Coyote. Here is a coactor that could surely tear a deer apart, limb from limb. Using coyote urine is supposed to fool deer into thinking a predator is waiting in ambush. Just hang the urine around the garden in plastic bottles that have holes in them. Fill the containers with urine-soaked cotton balls, and hang anywhere in you garden that you have exposed, vulnerable plants, allowing the urine to drip, marking the territory and adding to the threat of attack. You can also spray the urine directly on the plants.
Try this early on in the season, before feeding patterns have been established, as it is easier to stop a problem before it starts. Some physical means to keep deer out of the garden include fencing, passive infrared motion technology and pressurized water defense mechanism. After selecting which physical defense method you want to use, make sure you have the proper materials to do the project correctly. When it comes to fencing, remember, a deer in danger is capable of jumping an eight foot fence. Now, it has been my experience that an eight foot fence is more than adequate to keep out the deer. Fencing is more effective if the deer can not see the other side, and completely surrounds the area to be protected. Polypropylene products on the market that is lighter, cheaper, and easy to install.
Passive infrared motion technology has two defense mechanisms. First line of defense is the ultrasonic multi-frequency device that discourages animals, while the second defense is triggered when pest step into the line of fire. Pressurized water is physically shot at the subject, repelling the animal, harmlessly. I know there is a lot of information here, but honestly, you will find a way to rid your garden of White-tail deer. Just keep trying new and innovative methods. Something will eventually work. As for me, I got a dog!