How to Keep Deer Out of the Garden

Deer will leave the safety of their area to enjoy delicious foods from your garden.

Deer are most active in the morning and evening hours, when they're out searching for food. Deer have a tendency to roam within their habitat and stay away from humans or human-inhabited areas. Low food resources or delicious, appealing foods in your garden may encourage deer to visit your yard and garden for mealtime. Because they are quiet animals with a good sense of smell, deer can be kept out of your garden with the use of natural items and home remedies that smell unpleasant to deer or scare them away.

Things You'll Need

• 2 old pairs of nylons
• Measuring tape
• Scissors
• Human hair
• String
• White Christmas lights
• Outdoor extension cord
• Human urine
• Paper cup

Instructions

1. 

   Old nylons come in handy when repelling deer from your garden.

   Cut two pairs of nylons into 12-inch sections using your measuring tape and scissors. Knot one end of each nylon section.

2. Fill each knotted nylon section with a large, golf ball-sized handful of human hair. Ask your local hair salon for donations. Knot the other end of the nylon section to keep the hair securely inside the nylon.

3. Tie one end of a string around one knotted end of your nylon sections. Hang the hair-filled nylon sections from trees or bushes surrounding your garden. The scent of human hair and the moving nylons will deter deer from coming close to your garden.

4. 

   Blinking Christmas lights deter deer from coming near your garden.

   String white, blinking Christmas lights around your garden. Turn the lights on each night to deter deer. The deer will be startled by both the blinking motion and the lights.

5. Collect human urine in a cup each morning. Pour the urine around the outer area of your garden. The smell of a predator's urine will keep deer from coming too close.

Tips & Warnings

• Moving objects startle deer and keep them away from your garden. A scarecrow with moving appendages can keep deer away.

• Predator urine can be purchased at hardware stores or nurseries if you prefer not to use human urine.

• Plant extra flowers and vegetables in your garden area so you can enjoy watching the deer graze without worrying about losing all your flowers.

References

• Oregon State University: Reduce Deer Damage in Your Yard: Repellents
• The Humane Society: Solving Problems With Deer: Solutions: Repellents
• Brooklyn Botanic Gardens: Deer Deterrents That Work: How To Do It