No Free Lunch

There are many deer deterrents, and effectiveness varies largely upon how quickly your particular deer adjust to them. It's typical for many techniques to work for only a few days. Some common deterrents that are spread around the plants include:

• mothballs
• thorny branches
• hair
• decaying fishheads
• blood meal
• garlic
• fabric softener
• processed sewage
• repellent plants

Some deterrents used in the general area include:

• floodlights
• noisemakers
• flags
• radios
• whistles
• firecrackers
• electric wires
• hidden fishing lines
• sprinklers

There are deer-defying sprays for the plants, such as rotten-egg and water, soap spray, hot-pepper spray, and many types of commercial sprays. Some people even try to lure deer away by planting the animals' favorite foods in a remoter part of the property, far from gardens and flower beds.

The most effective technique may be a fence around the garden. To keep deer out, a fence should extend partly underground and not have gaps bigger than 6x 6 inches where deer can squeeze through or crawl under. Enclose the entire garden or deer will go around the fence. And a fence should be at least 8 feet high. Some deer can clear an 8-foot fence unless obstacles -- such as angled netting, tree branches, or thorny shrubs -- prevent a clear take-off or landing place. Or try two 4- or 5-foot-high fences placed 3 feet apart.

You don't have to fight to keep deer out of your yard. Use an effective fence around your prized plants, wherever possible feature plants low on the list on the deer menu, and maybe try a deterrent tactic or two. Your yard may become so much work or of so little interest that the deer won't bother trying.