If deer do not browse pawpaws (which is what I have read but can't attest to personally) and given that pawpaw leaves do have that distinctive smell (which makes the claim more believable) you wonder if an extract from pawpaw leaves or bark could be used as an effective deer repellent if sprayed on other plants. Or, better yet, a cheaper synthesized version.

I do own a .410 shotgun and have used it when desperate. After 35+ years of gardening I pretty much have developed methods to make my gardening easier. First is a fenced-in garden with quarter inch hardware mesh along the bottom. Lots of traps of all sizes from havahart cages to rat traps to mousetraps, baited with apples. I use a can of soapy water to tap insects into, and have learned how to squish pest bugs faster than they can escape. I gave up growing corn because of pests and space. I plant only deer/rabbit-proof bulbs, flowers, shrubs outside of the fence. I cried enough over eaten plants. Experience and lists of plants tell you what works in your area. When there are no bears in the area I sprinkle dried blood all around which keeps deer away. I don't use smelly sprays because I am sensitive to bad smells. I gave up on root crops because of tunneling varmints and buy my organic beets and carrots at the markets. I grow a lot of greens and peas, tomatoes, cukes, leeks, garlic, herbs, etc. and have some pests at some times and bounty harvests at other times. Every year is different depending on conditions. Decide what you want to get out of it. Nice flowers? Some veggies? A relaxing place to work? A place to get rid of your energy and calm your nerves? Tailor what you grow to that. After trying various plants and pest controls, I have come up with what makes me enjoy my garden with no poison and relatively few problems. There is no such thing as a pest-free garden, so when you can accept that there will be days when your plants get chewed or you have to set traps, that will be when you start to enjoy being out there. Take time to smell the roses, watch the birds, and enjoy the play of nature in your garden from a seat.

seg I've had good luck managing mites with sns 217. Some folks swear by hot shot no pest strips especially if you aren't growing edibles. Forbid 4f is thought of as a last ditch systemic. Mites have a remarkable ability to morph and resist chemical interventions. TSSM, 2 spotted spider mites are referred to as the borg. Stylet oil has a good record at holding back spider mite populations but it requires periodic retreatment. It also has a degree of photoxicity / reduces photosynthesis with repeated applications. But it is OMRI listed and considered safe for food. It's a good practice to rotate treatment modalities so that the borg can't build a resistance to a specific treatment. For example rotate three different products with different modes of action over a few week period.

The plants were caged. I think they just used the rings on the cages as steps. They may have had some help from Raccoons, too. I've never seen a raccoon here, But my neighbors have. I figured if some sort of repellant worked for one, It would for the other, too. Guess I'll just have to go shopping today, Then use the trial & error method. Rusty