DEER IN THE LANDSCAPE

One of the most beautiful and graceful animals you will find in the forests of North Carolina is the white-tailed deer. The problem is that they don't always stay in and around forested areas. Often deer will find their way into your yard and can cause some extensive damage to your landscape and garden.

• Why are Deer in My Yard?
• How Can I keep Deer Out of my Yard?
• Deer Repellents
• Last Resort

Why are Deer in my Yard?

Over the last decade reported situations involving homeowners and white-tailed deer have increased. This has been associated with several factors:

1. An obvious increase in deer population
2. Increasing population shifts from a rural to an urban environment in the Piedmont area of the state
3. Restriction of hunting and firearm limitations in urban areas for safety reasons
4. Landowner decisions not to allow hunting.

These encounters with deer in your backyard are not likely to improve in the near future. The reality is that damage problems associated with deer, particularly in suburban areas having good deer habitat, are likely to intensify. The solutions are plentiful...ask anyone who has the problem and chances are, they have a home remedy...many being rather bizarre and possibly illegal! So, consider the consequences before applying the advice given. back to top of the page

How Can I Keep Deer out of my Yard?

Keeping deer out can be extremely difficult. Choosing resistant plants is a good IPM (Integrated Pest Management) approach. Designing a landscape using only resistant plants can a challenge for even the best landscape designers. Many resistant plants are often used in landscapes, but mixing them with other susceptible plants will not solve the problem. Deer will just pick through and around the plants to feed on the ones that tantalize their taste buds.

An electric fence is an effective control measure for white-tailed deer. But, how do you construct an aesthetically pleasing 7 foot tall electric fence? Not to mention the liability problems that may be encountered. back to top of the page

Deer Repellents

Deer repellents are another alternative that has been used for many years. There are several repellents on the market. Deer repellency of soaps has been evaluated at several universities. Trials with 8 brands of soap in orchards showed little difference between the soaps on reducing deer browsing. Deer damage was reduced substantially within a 3 foot area of the soap. This study indicates that depending on the size of your landscape, it may take a large number of soap bars to repel the deer. Visualize a deer browsing zone and protect that area. The zone is from the ground to 6 feet high and no more than 3 feet between the bars of soap. back to top of the page

Last Resort!

If the deer in your area are too far out of control and are causing a deterioration in the surrounding habitat, it may be time to contact the wildlife enforcement officer. There is an officer for each district in the state and they have a lot of territory to cover, so be patient about your request for assistance. back to top of the page

http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/gaston/