Deer problem

Grim/Don

Grim/Don

Joined
Feb 1, 2003
Messages
1,221
My wife and I planted a couple maple trees in our front yard when we moved in a couple years ago. The trees range from 6 feet to 4 feet (and one 3 footer that had to get replanted). Anyway, something, we're guessing deer, is eating the leaves off! Happened a couple weeks ago, and new leaves budded, now those are gone since last night! :mad:

At first I thought my daughter's friends had something to do with it, but the 'gone' leaves were no where to be found, and a closer examination revealed what looked like chewing.

What can I do to get them to stay away and leave the trees alone? I thought about the film canister with ammonia that was recommended for cats in the flower bed, but didn't know for sure if that would also work for bigger eaters.
(Don't suggest the obvious... We live in a well policed town (we've got a casino to pay for LOT'S of protection!) and besides... it's in the front yard, might wake the neighbors to hear the shotgun go off late at night)
 
Crossbow? seriously you might try wrapping the trees in chicken wire till the mature a bit, this might keep the deer from eating all the new leaves.
 
Hair from the barbershop supposedley works great.

I have never had to use it, however. :D
 
My family used to have deer problems at the lake cabin. I got one of those motion sensor lights, but I rewired a bit so that in addition to the lights it also turned on a lawn sprinkler via the sort of electrically controlled valves used for installed sprinkler systems. Deer do not like to be wet. It worked like a charm. Between the light and the water, the deer quickly learned to stay out of our garden.

Unfortunately, Springer Spaniels do like to be wet and the Springer quickly figured out that if she ran into the garden, the sprinkler came on... oh the joy.
 
We've had a problem with deer in the pea patch (a long way from the house) forever. They make a propane cannon that sets off a blast every 15 minutes. Worked for 3 days. We tied up a dog near the patch. worked for 3 days. We put up scarecrows dressed in clothing that had been worn (smell) worked for 3 days.
Moral of the story. If you have the best eats in town, the deer will come. Sorry.
 
Around here, whenever the council or other bodies plant young trees,they put cylinders of wire mesh or thick, perforated plastic sheet around them. These are, IIRC, about 8" in diameter and are high enough (5'?) to prevent deer eating the shoots and leaves. They are removed when the trees have branches and plenty of leaves above deer-browsing height.

This site has some advice
http://www.montana.edu/wwwpb/pubs/mt9814.html

Andy
 
A friend of mine had that problem too. He said peeing it the garden worked, but it only lasted a day or so then you had to do it again.
 
fruitbat said:
A friend of mine had that problem too. He said peeing it the garden worked, but it only lasted a day or so then you had to do it again.
Click to expand...
I'm sure most people can manage every day or so. Just get a neighbour to cover for you if you go on holiday. :D
 
mix red pepper powder with liquid soap and a little water. Spray the trees with it, protects against bugs and the deer will learn quckly to leave it alone.
 
That's not a deer problem. THIS is a deer problem! Just a small portion of the 22 that were in the cleared part of the property this winter when I took this photo. The green snow fence is to keep them off the septic drain field. When that freezes - THAT'S a problem.:D BTW, when they stand on their hind legs to browse, they can easily get to 8 to 10 feet. Good luck.

p10101129oc.jpg
 
I've heard that leaving mothballs around a garden or tree will help to keep deer away, too. Whether mothballs actually work, or not, well, they will need to be tried.

I'm persuaded that mothballs might work - I cannot imagine that it's just an advertising campaign to help increase the sale of mothballs.... ;)

GeoThorn
 
Announce in the newspaper you are going to kill the deer. The next morning there will be so many PETA people in your front yard the deer will avoid your yard like the plague. After the trees are grown enough, just blast the propane cannon and turn on the sprinklers. PETA people are all wet anyway, but they get the symbolism.
 
bad idea Bumppo. It's like curing a cold by giving leukemia.There is no lower form of life than PETA activists. Deer, coyotes, whathaveyou would be infinitely better.
 
Bumppo said:
Announce in the newspaper you are going to kill the deer. The next morning there will be so many PETA people in your front yard the deer will avoid your yard like the plague. After the trees are grown enough, just blast the propane cannon and turn on the sprinklers. PETA people are all wet anyway, but they get the symbolism.
Click to expand...

Sure! Then I could follow Cartman's lead and use a Slayer CD to get rid of the hippies! :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top