Natural Pest Control: Deer

Usually when we think of pest control, we think of termites and other insects, or maybe mice and moles. But if you live in a part of the world where deer amble up to your lawn and start gnawing on your garden, they can be considered pests, too. There are quite a few simple items you can find around the house which will serve to repel deer. Examples include:

Bounce Fabric Softener -- Hanging fresh fabric softener around your yard, i.e. from fence posts, shrubs, etc. can deter deer. Oleander, the fragrance used in fabric softener, acts as a natural repellent. If the deer return after a time, try misting the sheets of fabric softener with water to revive the scent.

Trash Bags -- Try attaching trash bags to your tomato stakes. The noise they make flapping in the breeze will act as a scarecrow and scare deer away.

Slinky -- Remember the Slinky? If you have kids, you may even have a few loitering around the house. Placing metal Slinkys around your yard or garden (hang them from tree branches or stretch them across fence posts) will frighten away deer due to the metallic sound and the shiny reflection.

Portable Radio -- Leave a portable radio on near your garden to make deer think humans are around. You can place it inside a freezer bag to keep it from being damaged from the elements (or the deer).

Interesting Facts about Deer:

Deer are the only animals with bones on their heads. (Horns are hard layers of skin.)

Moose, caribou, reindeer, and elk all fall under the "deer" family.

Deer only have front teeth on the lower part of their jaw. Where you would expect upper front teeth, they have a pad of skin.

Source: Gardening Magic

Natural Pest Control: Deer

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