Please accept my condolences.

G.

I used LF here for other pests but had to reapply after it rained. Maybe the shrubs got wet and that did not help. As George said, please accept my condolences as well.

Thanks, George and Luis!

I went to look for other products that might scare off the deer this evening. I almost bought Deer Off - but that stuff was expensive! Then I also found the Sweeney's All Season Weatherproof Deer Repellent (formerly Deer Fortress) - I wonder if anyone used that before? It is something that you put in the flower bed and it will continuously give off an odor that will supposedly scare deer off. Anyway, Luis, I think you're right - I applied the LF just before I went on my trip earlier this week, then it rained and rained. Perhaps the rain washed off LF. How very upsetting that is!

Anyway, thanks both for listening! :-)

Bobbex works great for me- It needs to be sprayed every 2-3 weeks, rain does not wash it off.

Ostrich, I do have some plants in a deer exposed location and found Deer Off to be a good solution. It's indeed somewhat expensive to be used as a mass cover, but for a plant or two cost is manageable. Its effect lasts for at least 6 weeks.

Thanks, manya and George. I have not heard of Bobbex, but will look into it. George, I probably will get a bottle of Deer Off too, and then alternate it with Liquid Fence. I also put a bunch of Irish Springs shavings around the beds last night when I came home at 10pm. My neighbors probably thought I was losing my mind... LOL

I'm always delighted when I see deer in my sister's backyard (OH). I guess my enthusiasm has waned now.

Our new animal pest is turkeys...not for any reason other than they're big birds with an attitude. They really do gobble. From what I hear (literally) they are sensitive. Thunder brings gobbles. It's still a thrill to see or hear one. I think they got their start on our local golf course which is a wonderful wildlife refuge within scant miles of Boston proper. I may be singing a different tune at the end of the summer.

Good Luck with the deer and condolences, too.

Oh Ostrich, I'm so very sorry ... 'must have been a whole family, to have done such damage! Â:( Will PW still produce bud clusters after Bambi feasted on her?

Ostrich, please accept my deepest sympathy!

I am so sorry Ostrich. I know you love your hydrangeas. =(

You might also try Nature's Defense. You can get it to sprinkle around the plants as well as in packet form. It lasts for two months. I use it in the winter and early spring to keep those darn deer away. I also use Smart Grow Mats. They are made of sterilized hair. Ann Lovejoy recommended them to me at a symposium. You cut them up and hang them off your plants with ornament hooks or wire. I found them very useful and have kept the deer at bay before I ran my scarecrows. Hope this helps.

Thanks, lsimms, ditas and mehearty! I am now using BOTH Deer Off and Liquid Fence, as well as Irish Springs!!! LOL! So far, they have only munched on a few leaves since, so I guess that is not bad.

The only interesting thing is, since I used Deer Off, some of the new growth looks a bit deformed. I wonder if anyone else has had the same experience?

char777, thank you for the suggestion - where can I get Smart Grow Mats from please?

Hi again Ostrich - as you posted "....... as well as Irish Springs!!! LOL!"

From: Trowel & Error by S.Lovejoy, on Soap Hang-Up ... I quote "The Smithsonian Research Team found Lifebuoy soap to be best deer deterrent."

How would QF look decorated with both Irish Springs & Life Buoy ... (sorry) a bit o fun couldn't hurt, could it?

Truly sorry but FWIW!

Well hello Mr. Oz!!

You whinin' AGAIN?? lol I know you back up to a ravine/woods...what about a deer fence hidden back there? Deer are normally pretty habitual about their paths and don't like being blocked/trapped.

If not that, I would order the Scarecrow which hooks onto your hose. It's a motion detector that sprays a hard stream of water when they enter it's zone...which you can adjust to a 180' I believe. It probably wouldn't take more than a few times to get them to figure out there are friendlier places! It's only about $70 or so. MUCH less labor intensive than all this spraying and such. And permanent in it's training...kinda like an electric fence for horses. Once/twice is enuf!

Hope all is well with you otherwise!

Thanks, Ditas! I may just have to look into that Life Buoy.... LOL!

OMG! Is that really you, Jan!? It's so great to "see" you here, my long "lost" friend!!!!!! Oh yes, you know me, I just have to whine, whine, whine.... LOL!!! I do remember you telling us about this scarecrow before, I am skeered to death to have a device with running water, after my spectacular manifold explosion for my sprinkler system a few years ago... LOL! Anyhoo, where can I get that thing from please?

More (whining) later...! :-)

Yes, 'tis me Oz! Sorry I didn't respond faster but we're in the middle of a new kitchen install which is a good thang since we are in the midst of the rainiest, coldest, cloudiest June in 105 yrs! The only ones having a good time in the garden are the SLUGS lol. (Thank goodness for slug bait...)

Anyhoos, it just hooks onto your hose. I wouldn't leave it on when you travel but because it scares the willy nilly out of 'em I think if they get hit just a few times that will probably keep them at bay permanently...they don't like hostile places lol. I bought one and tested it for a few days(really gives a good, strong steam)but haven't had to use it really since our problem with deer is primarily in winter.

Anyways, I bought it here...it's on sale too!

Here is a link that might be useful: scarecrow

Jan, I have no idea that there has been such cool and rainy weather in MA! Hmm.... I guess your hydrangeas must be doing well then! LOL

Thanks for the link. I may just go ahead and try one then... the only thing is that, there are two main beds that they attack, and the one that is most at risk is right next to my neighbors' yard. So when they come out, they might then get sprayed too!!! ROTFLOL!

I'm sorry :( .I have the same problem.I never get to see any of my red and white Hydrageas bloom.They were nicely grown w/ nice, healthy leaves and were about to flower but deers cut them off almost half.I think, deers in GA have "scissors" when they come :(
Oh well, better luck next time.....Oh,not only they had hydrangeas buffet, they also had my hostas, impatients ( planted on top of bird bath )