Dis-inviting the dear deer, redux

14 years ago

I know it's an endless topic, but indulge me a notion here.

Smelly (overly fragrant) bath soap is supposed to help. If you can find those tiny hotel-size bars of a sufficiently cheap and smelly type they may be worthwhile for use on lots of trees. That is, "if."

Many common laundry detergents are chokingly fragrant (I can no longer stand them) and it would seem that a tablespoon of that per gallon sprayed all over the trees once in a while may have some worth and advantages. That is, most leaves could be covered (not just a dissuading bar or two placed wherever). And it would be pretty easy, not all that drilling and tying. It obviously would be useful only where not all that many trees were involved and the orchard was visited at least every week or few weeks.

Is there an obvious down side besides rain? It is hard to imagine the weak solution would harm the leaves, but maybe new leaves?

Next, what about the idea of using the strong emulsifiers in summer oil to additionally dissolve some hot pepper oil and spray that on too?

Next up, boobytraps! No, just kidding.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (2)

toomanyapples
14 years ago
Tried the soap thing, they seemed to like it.

We have been successful using SSScat to keep raccoons and skunks off our deck.
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2751025

I am considering taping the SSScat to a bamboo pole (at deer eye level) near their favorite plants. Has anyone else tried this?

This stuff really works on cats -- see:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iG0ciR_k8ck
hemnancy
14 years ago
Blood meal sprinkled over foliage is quite repellant to deer, but it will eventually wash off. I've also put egg in water and blended with cayenne pepper and a little dish soap and sprinkled it over foliage.

I got tired of applying stuff and just started getting 4-5'tall welded wire fencing and making circles of it around individual plants or beds. If there is no landing space inside the circle they won't try to jump in. If there is I have tied bamboo poles around at intervals and run wire strands around at 8' and 6-12" lower tiers above the welded wire to deter deer. It's expensive but only has to be done once.
Related Discussions
Fall 2011 Plant Swap
Q
Comments (23)
A copy of our ad: Hi Mr. Schiermann, Thanks for responding so quickly to my inquiry regarding the placing of a notice in the "What's Happening" section of the "Coffee News". I have placed word of your generosity in my post on GardenWeb informing everyone of "CN", and hope we'll all respond by asking our local establishments to not only offer it, but to consider doing business with those who advertise on it's pages. Kindly consider including the following in the next volume: -------------------------------- Oct. 1 - Central Alabama Plant Swap; Oak Mtn. State Park from 10am until, at the Cardinal Pavilion. We swap anything garden related, from live plants to compost, driftwood, mulch, river rock, garden "junk" - even homemade goods. But we mostly have a good time and establish friendships based upon our love of gardening. Lunch is potluck, so bring your favorite dish to share. A donation of $1 to $2 toward pavilion rental is appreciated. For more information e-mail: ourhighlandhome@aol.com. --------------------------------- Hope this meets with everyone's approval. Look for it in the next volume of "Coffee News", and let Mr. Mike Schiermann know how much we appreciate his publication, please. Also, that same day, just outside the park entrance at the Verizon Wireless Music Center, from 1pm until 9pm, there is a "Shelby Blues & BBQ" event (www.shelbybluesandbbq.org). There will be MUCH TO DO there besides food & drink, including watching both the 'Bama and 'all-Barn' games on big-screen-TV's (no bias intended). ;-D In addition, The Plany Odyssey, Myer's Pottery, Hanna's Nursery and John Deere Landscapes are four of the most notable nurseries in the plant business - all within easy driving distance of our swap. 'nuff said..... Me
...See More
HAVE: Vancouver Fall Swap Part 2 - Sept 25
Q
Comments (74)
Stargazer Lily: Thanks for hosting the swap in your beautiful yard. It was a wonderful afternoon. Thanks for all the plants, JJ, Li and Stargazer. Tomorrow, Susan and I will be planting at the traffic bulges. If any of you are in the UBC area, do drive by the garden/traffic bulges at 8th Avenue & TRimble. We try to keep these beds in bloom for as long as possible. KarinL: I just saw your request for Pat Feary. I will save a tuber for you for the spring swap. Sorry I missed your message.
...See More
Where would you live in Florida if you could live anywhere?
Q
Comments (55)
Musicman: wow...Pacific Northwest, huh? Somewhere up by Rainer? I was living in Seattle before I moved back here. I had to live there for work as I am in the technology field. I was there for about 2 years. I have to say, when it is sunny, it is a visually stunning area. However, those days are few and far between. I thought I was going to have to build an ark. It rained for 95 days straight the first year I was there, then stopped for one entire day before it rained some more. The second year was more of the same. Rain, more rain and then some more rain. Oh, and some snow too. When I had a chance for a job transfer back to Florida, I jumped on it. Puget Sound was not my 'cup o'coffee' (a little Starbucks pun...). But, I do know loads of people who love it there. I assume they hate sunshine and love paying $6 for a half a gallon of milk. From a gardening perspective, I was frustrated there as well. It seemed the only things that did well were azealas, ivy, spruce trees and that ugly colored 'cabbage' plant. The faux cabbage plant was everywhere. But, the azealas were huge and major show stoppers. Nothing like we have here in FLA. As for me, I don't think I'll ever leave Florida again now that I am back. I'm still not tired of one sunny day after another.
...See More
How many of you like to garden?
Q
Comments (32)
Buddyrose, I like what you do with your space. I'm a big fan of the New Orleans style courtyard garden concept. When I had the 7 foot privacy fence added around our back yard, it was with the intention of landscaping the inside to look like a courtyard. We have the right climate to do it, and I am slowly working with that goal in mind. What you have done with your garden is similar to a courtyard style. I guess it also makes outdoor rooms, but I like the term courtyard better. Much more romantic, don't you think? Your plant selection is fantastic too. Can you tell me what forums you like best on the garden side of GWeb? I'm into the tropicalesque but have been searching for like minded gardeners elsewhere. My Alabama forum is not at south-Alabama oriented as it used to be. I thought I'd found a good one with the Greenhouses, but they are leaning toward the commercial production side and not ornamental. I am not into Garden Junk as much anymore, don't have the time or patience to turn junk into beauty anymore--except for the rebar arches and trellises maybe. Anyway, where do you hang out on that side?
...See More

Dis-inviting the dear deer, redux

Comments (2)

toomanyapples

hemnancy

Related Discussions

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US