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University
of Rhode Island GreenShare Factsheets
Deer
Damage & Control
Damage from
white-tailed deer, Odocoileus virginianus, on crops, nurseries,
orchards, and private landscapes is on the rise throughout the Northeast.
As urban and suburban development encroaches upon rural areas where
deer populations are high, deer look for food in landscapes, gardens,
and nurseries. This artificial food source leads to population increase,
regardless of the lack of space. To date, available deer control
methods have not provided consistent results. Taking an Integrated
Pest Management (IPM) approach is crucial in our battle with deer.
Nursery and home owners throw up their hands as control methods
fail; however, these methods might have worked if used differently
or integrated with other tactics. Each situation is different. What
does not work at one site may be successful in another. The key
is to follow some simple steps in analyzing each situation and develop
a sound deer IPM control plan as follows: In choosing
an appropriate strategy, it is necessary to identify individual
expectations, limitations and thresholds. Answering the following
questions will help pinpoint appropriate control methods: How much
damage can be tolerated? How much can you afford to spend on controls?
How much damage is there? What are short-term and long-term goals?
Be sure to weigh your options. Deer damage
may vary widely within a site. Document time of damage, intensity
of damage, which plants are damaged, where the deer come from, and
where in the nursery or landscape browsing is taking place. Sometimes
problems can be solved by relocating preferred plants to one central
location and using repellents, scare tactics and/or physical barriers.
Do not try
to implement a full deer-control strategy in one fell swoop. IPM
strategies include future planning and phasing-in of tactics. Consider
your deer problem when choosing and locating future crops or landscape
plantings. Budget for appropriate control strategies. Some situations
may call for temporary controls such as a scare tactic until fencing
or repellents are implemented. As with other
pest problems, an IPM approach is a key to success. Be aware that
the nature of deer damage can change from season to season or year
to year and is seldom identical in various locations. IPM, using
several tactics in combination, offers flexibility and variety.
Deer adapt and can overcome control methods. Thus, we have to be
willing and able to change methods when necessary. It is also a
good idea to alternate the use of repellents, when possible, in
order to prevent deer from adapting to them.
Everyone with a deer problem will benefit from communication. Ask
questions and share information about successful and unsuccessful
approaches. Stay informed about new products and methods. Unnecessary
damage can be avoided by timely and effective communication between
professionals. Understand that herds, and even individual deer,
differ in habits and patterns. A strategy that was not successful
in one instance may well be the best for another. The URI
Sustainable Landscape Program addresses the need for deer control
strategies and works to develop an Integrated Pest Management approach.
This approach includes the implementation of multiple control tactics.
The table below lists some of the available methods for an IPM approach
to deer control.
| Method
|
Description |
Examples |
| Least-Preferred
Plants |
Use of
plants that are not preferred or least-preferred by deer |
Click
here for list of plants |
| Repellents |
Commercial
and homemade products that can be applied to the plants to deter
deer from browsing and rubbing |
Deer Away,
Tree Guard, Deer-Off, Exxpel, hair, soap, etc.
Click here for more on repellents
|
| Fencing |
A fence
to physically keep deer away from plants within a large area |
Electric,
non-electric, slanted, polytape, dipped rope, etc.
|
| Tree
Shelters and Wraps |
Physical
barriers to prevent damage to specific plants |
Trunk
wraps for rubbing, shelters to prevent accessibility, etc.
|
| Scare
Tactics |
Offensive
sights or sounds to scare the deer |
Dogs,
scarecrows, cannons, radios, motion-sensored sprinklers, etc.
|
| Lure
Crops and Devices |
Crops
placed to deter deer or to train deer |
Electrified
peanut butter discs, apple trees, corn, etc. |
| Hunting |
Legal hunting
of deer to keep population low |
Sport hunting
and nuisance permits from DEM |
By
Nicole Lemieux and Dr. Brian Maynard, URI Department of Plant Sciences,
1999
Pesticides
are poisonous! Read and follow all safety precautions on labels.
Handle carefully and store in original containers out of reach
of children, pets or livestock. Dispose of empty containers
immediately, in a safe manner and place. Pesticides should never
be stored with foods or in areas where people eat.
When trade names are used for identification, no product endorsement
is implied, nor is discrimination intended against similar materials.
Be sure that the pesticide you intend to use is registered for
the state of use.
The user of this information assumes all risk for personal injury
or property damage.
For more
information, call the URI CE Gardening and Food Safety Hotline
at 1-800-448-1011 or (401)874-2929 from outside Rhode Island;
Monday-Thursday between 9 am and 2 pm.
University
of Rhode Island Cooperative Extension provides equal program
opportunities.
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