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In doing some research for this article I noted that it would take up most of the room if I listed all the plants that deer include in their diet. It should also be stressed that hungry deer will eat almost anything.

Plants deer tend to like best include arborvitae, yew, apple, dogwood, daylily, and hosta. Since I have been writing these articles gardeners have told me of other plants deer have added to their menu. They include raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, pear, beans, the husks on sweet corn ears, and the list goes on.

It isn't only what they eat but also damage by the hoofs and antlers. Male deer, or bucks, damage young trees by rubbing and scraping against them during the mating season, in an attempt to show their dominance. Rubbing against the trees removes the velvet that covers their antlers during the summer. Once this is accomplished the buck will polish his antlers and continue to mark his territory by thrashing his antlers up and down against tree trunks and branches. This shreds and tears bark and may break branches or the trunk itself.

Small, smooth barked trees such as apples are more attractive to bucks as rubbing sites than larger trees and trees with rough bark. Bucks will also paw the soil around trees and urinate on the cleared area beneath the overhanging branch. The buck will chew and rub his scent on the branch, often breaking it. Pruning trees to remove any branches lower than six feet from the ground may help.

There is not a completely effective way to control deer that is legal. Fencing is the most effective means of reducing deer damage, but it can be very expensive. For small areas, a four-foot fence will do. For larger areas, fences should be at least eight feet high. Cover low growing plants in vegetable gardens with wire mesh. Be sure to use mesh that prevents deer from becoming entangled and injured. Electric fencing is effective, but due to the cost, maintance needs, and potential human hazards, it may not be practical. Individual plants can be protected by wire cages, tree wraps, or barriers of sturdy stakes pounded into the soil around and two feet away from main stems.

Odor and taste repellents, such as human hair, deodorant soap, garlic oil, and hot sauce are applied to branches and foliage to discourage browsing. Repellents are not effective against antler rubbing. Effectiveness of repellents depends on the product used, weather conditions, application frequency, familiarity to the deer population, and feeding pressure. If properly applied, products with egg solids appear to be most effective. Most repellents become ineffective if overused, so use several different ones and rotate them.

Alarms or other noisy devices are usually not very effective in protecting the home landscape. They are more likely to be found irritating to the neighbors than the deer. Years ago I had a radio on very loud all night long in my sweet corn, and it seemed to help, however I live in the country. Now I need to use a radio and a low electric fence for the raccoons and a high fence for the deer. A couple of years ago I chose not to put up a higher wire for the deer and they ate the silk off of the ears. This caused the ears not to develop, and the corn was so bad that the raccoons wouldn't even eat them.

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