I don't know about you, but I am seeing a lot of Thumper and Bambi's friends around my gardens this time of year. The most important issue is to begin the control early in the season before they have developed their browsing pattern. We always apply our "triple threat".
First, spread Milorganite like chicken feed throughout susceptible gardens. It is a fertilizer made from sludge and the animals don't like the smell of a human predator.
Second, use coyote urine, or other animal urine, as a perimeter control of the whole property. We spray this on the wood of trees, fence post, decking, every 10 feet or so, to mark the territory.
Third, apply a topical spray on the foliage of the susceptible plants as a taste deterrent. We apply any and all of the products readily available on the market, Treeguard, Deer Off, Deer Away, Liquid Fence, Hot Pepper Wax, etc. The biggest key to this application is to rotate products every other week so that the pests do not build up a tolerance for the product.
At HLG have yet another control that is systemic. The manufacturer suggests that the repellant lasts for up to two seasons in the plant. Repellex tablets are "planted" in the soil around the base of the plant where the roots take in the deterrent and emit it through the leaves. The real benefit of this product is that rains do not wash it off.
I'm interested in what you use to keep the critters from eating your hard work and garden beauty. Post your comments!
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