How to Use Electricity to Keep Deer Away
The first inclination you might have when using electricity to keep deer away is to erect an electric fence. However, state agencies such as the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources note that a simple one strand electric fence might not be enough to prevent especially intrusive deer from gaining access to gardens, yards or other places. Deer might simply bypass the wire by going over or under it. In these instances, training the deer to respect the electricity or supplementing with additional electrical measures to keep deer away are warranted. Some examples presume a pre-installed, single wire electric fence. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Jar of peanut butter
- Roll of tinfoil
- Motion-activated solar water sprayer
- Motion-activated radio set
- Electric deer-baiter stake
Instructions
-
Train Deer to Respect Your Fence
-
1
Turn current off, and smear a dab of peanut butter on the wire.
-
2
Wrap a square of tinfoil lightly around the peanut butter.
-
-
3
Turn current back on and leave the premises. When deer investigate the peanut butter behind the foil with their noses, they will receive a shock from the fence.
Install Additional Electric Devices
-
4
Fill the reservoir of a motion-activated solar-powered animal control device with water. Set it in a sunny spot near the electric fence where its solar cells will receive light most of the day. When deer approach the area, the device will sound an alarm and spray water.
-
5
Install a motion-activated radio near affected areas. Certain models are designed specifically for warding off deer and have a motion sensor built in. When deer approach, the unit turns on with loud volume and flashes a light to scare them away.
-
6
Install electric deer baiters away from the fence. These operate on the same idea as the peanut butter trick only they are battery-charged stakes hammered into the ground. A lure is used to persuade deer to touch the stake and get shocked. They offer supplemental coverage for areas with electric fences, perhaps making a good outer perimeter.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
When deer have become accustomed to your measures, mix them up by re-arranging them or alternating methods. One week use the peanut butter trick, the next week use the water repellent and the next week use the radio.
Consider investing in a multi-strand electric fence, or creating a three-dimensional fence with strands separated from one another vertically and horizontally. More points of electric contact might help better repel the deer.
Avoid direct contact with deer as they can be unpredictable when spooked, possibly causing you and your property harm.
Deer can carry disease-bearing ticks, giving further reason to avoid contact when possible.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
