Hey digdirt!

I can't find anything about how it's supposed to work, though I assume it's predator-smelly to deer and rabbits. The link at the bottom is a really excellent discussion about controlling deer, and I suppose some of the principles and products work on rabbits, too.

The few product reviews (I could find only two) say it works pretty well. What they don't say is how long it's effective as a repellent -- after a while deer aren't repelled anymore by most repellents, particularly if they're really hungry. The people featured in the Audubon article below seem to recommend "serial" steps to keep ahead of the deer.

Most interesting I thought was the device of a "poor man's fence", very easy to construct and cheap. Here's a description:

A simple tactic, one Roeller plans to experiment with more, is a "poor manÂs fence," which is based on his observation that deer are reluctant to leap over obstacles that have both depth and height. ItÂs made from two inexpensive and readily available materials: clothesline and fishing filament. Clothesline, strung around the garden at a height of 28 inches, provides the inner barrier. The outer barrier is made with fishing line pulled taut at the same height and set about five feet out from the clothesline. "The separation between the two fences makes deer uncomfortable to jump over both barriers, as they canÂt clearly distinguish what theyÂll land on," says Roeller. "The monofilament throws deer for a loop because they canÂt see it, but they feel it. I also reinforce this factor with odor-based strips of fabric on the inner fence." For added insurance, he ties a couple of nylon flags, cut in the shape of a deerÂs tail, to the fishing line, simulating the alarm response triggered by the flash of a fellow deerÂs white tail.

Here is a link that might be useful: Deer Control/Audubon

I've heard bloodmeal helps to keep critters out of the garden. Going ot have son spread some for me today (can't stand the smell myself) Hopefully it iwll keep the squirrels and chipmunks from digging up my plants. Stupid cats are on bread and water rations too, not doing their jobs!!!

May sound weird but I cured my deer problem last year with urine. Human urine. My kids', actually. My 7 year old son was overly thrilled with being able to either pee around the border of the garden or to do it in a jar in the bathroom and then go pour it around! May sound a little gross but the deer left the garden alone and I didn't have to do anything but suggest it to my son. I found my 3 year old daughter squatting and peeing into the jar in the bathroom one time - too funny!

Sick and tired of deer eating all of the veggies I have worked hard to plant, I am currently experimenting with a few things. I have found the following to be successful:

--LiquidFence works, but you have to spray every other day, contrary to the label recommendations.

--Expensive cologne/perfume misted lightly over the outer stems also works if you spray every day, but in addition to being expensive, you must mist every day.

--I have devised a diabolic concoction that will repel deer and every other form of grazing wildlife, but you must use it only on the leaves and stems of the plant (NOT ON THE FRUIT!!!) Here's the recipe:

In a blender, liquefy the following:

2-3 cups water
5-6 fresh Habanero peppers (hottest peppers known to man)
9-10 fresh garlic cloves
1-2 Tbsp vinegar
1 Half cup fish sauce (available at Asian markets - smells horrific!!)

After liquefying all ingredients, strain out all pulp from the peppers and garlic, and pour into a spray bottle. Bingo!! Use gloves when spraying on plants -- this mixture is vile, and will cause extreme pain if accidently rubbed into the eyes or mouth. It's nasty stuff, but is guaranteed 100% effective. Application every 3-4 days (or longer) should be sufficient.

Do you (or anyone) know if the habanero concoction works to deter squirrels?

I use this product, I think it works great. I don't spray directly on the plants, just around the perimeter of the garden, and on some rags tied to stakes at the corners. It smells really bad, garlic and rotten eggs. This is my second year and I see nothing eaten by any critters.

Good Luck
Diane

It works for me too. Deer ate many leaves off our newly-planted dogwood and rabbits nearly demolished my carnations. The foraging stopped immediately after spraying with liquid fence. To keep them out of my vegetable garden, I spray around the perimeter. I also have a couple of scarecrow sprinklers installed. I respray the liquid fence every couple of weeks, and more often if it rains.

I would think the effectiveness of any deer deterent would depend on whether they can find food elsewhere.

i too had a deer problem when we moved here three years ago. last year i got something called shot-gun repels all by bonide. it deters like 40 animals - cats, dogs, squirrels, rodents, deer, skunk, i could go on and on. it is safe for your plants, i contacted the company and they said i could even use it on my veggies, the only problem being if you put it right on leaf veggies (cabbage, lettuce) it may alter the taste, but it is not poisonous. anyway, it is safe for the plants and safe for the animals. the smell burns the nasal passages (not severely) and just makes it unpleasant. it usually lasts like 4 weeks unless extreme growth or rain. i only sprayed once in the spring... haven't seen a deer since mid season LAST YEAR!!! if liquid fence works in the same way i would do it. here is the website of the one i use. i originally thought it could only be purchase in those pricey garden supply stores, but i actually saw it at Lowe's today. if you go to the site, go to labels and at the bottom of the screen you can search by product name... the name is shotgun repels all. sarah

Here is a link that might be useful: the product name is shotgun repels all

Have used Liq Fence for at least 6 years and I swear by it. Prior to that, tried everything from Zest shavings to hair to blood meal and on and on. I only spray it about every 6 -8 wks tho but it still keeps both deer and rabbits away - and we have a lot of both.Keeps the groundhog away too (well, except from the phlox!). I couldn't garden without it. Have disbelieving friends try it too in other states with same results.

I agree with sheribaby about the urine. Works like a charm. Totally organic and sterile.

My "Liquid Deer Fence" just wasn't doing the job, plus, if you have a large garden, it's very costly. I didn't want to have to put up a deer fence, so I went with the urine solution after several suggestions by some hunters.

Deer-free ever since.

There's a scene in "Doc Hollywood" with Michael J. Fox where he and his girlfriend use this method to drive off the deer so hunters won't kill them.

Kent

We live and garden in the woods of northern Minnesota. We have tried every form of deer repellant known to mankind. We finally gave in and bought a commercial product called "Hinder", it worked pretty well, but had to be reapplied if it rained. It wasn't the perfect solution because we still had some deer damage. We found Liquid Fence and tried it. I can not say enough about liquid fence. The deer do not touch anything that has been sprayed, including the Hostas. It stays on after rain and lasts up to a month between sprays.(we spray every three weeks). We still have deer walking through the yard, but they don't touch any plants. Buy the concentrate and mix it yourself. It is more cost effective that way. One drawback, it REALLY stinks and the smell is noticeable for several hours after you spray. Good Luck

digdirt,

You can read up on reviews of the product here.

There is no point in "trying" anything but a really good fence.

And you can smell it for a few mornings after you spray if you have a heavy dew, fog, or otherwise humid morning. But it is DEFINITELY worth the smell in my opinion. I grow a lot of roses, which I think must be rabbit cocaine. Since I began spraying them with Liquid Fence, the damage has stopped and the roses, many of which were eaten away to only stems, have begun to sprout new leaves and are on the road to recovery. It is indeed pricey, but well worth it.