Deer are majestic creatures of the wild. But as human settlements encroach forests, it’s only natural that they stray toward our gardens and yards. Sometimes, this creates human-animal conflict and leads to unnecessary trouble. Luckily, there are ways to keep deer out of the garden or yard without harming them. Most remedies are also easy to follow, so anyone can try them if they want to keep deer away from the property.

Fence the space
This is the easiest solution that comes to mind when thinking about keeping something away. It’s said that a seven-foot tall fence is sufficient to keep deer at bay.

You can improvise by also installing it at a 45-degree angle. But fencing only works if you have ample space to spread out the barriers, so it may not be the best option for everyone. Moreover, a few communities don’t allow residents to put up tall fences, so speak to the town council and prepare a presentation on why you need this construction and how it can benefit you. Finding a middle ground is always a good idea. You can install the fence yourself or hire a professional, but the latter may be expensive. So, always check all your options before committing to the project.

Plant a living barrier
Studies suggest that deer don’t like the sound of large grasses rustling and blowing in the wind. This is perhaps because when they hear a rustling sound, they think a predator is approaching near. So, why not use this information to your advantage? Plant tall grass at the barrier of your yard. Make sure it’s so tall that deer can’t see beyond it. It should also be a thick patch that confuses the animal.

Use motion-activated sprinklers
Another gentle way to keep deer out of your space is to install motion-activated sprinklers near the boundary. These sprinklers are usually solar-powered, so you don’t have to worry about charging batteries or keeping them plugged into your electricity grid all the time. Since deer are skittish animals, startling them with these sprinklers may work well. Not just that, sprinklers can also avoid clashes with stray dogs and small creatures like rabbits that may enter your garden and eat produce or plants. As soon as the sensors detect motion, water starts sprouting and sprinkling in the direction where the motion is traced.

Use a motion-activated ultrasonic animal repeller
As the name suggests, this device emits noise at a frequency heard by deer and other animals. If a deer or another creature is nearby, the device produces the noise, and they stay clear of the area. Since you cannot hear this sound, you will not know when you activate it accidentally, so be mindful not to create unnecessary noise that can disturb friendly animals around the property. You can also keep the device off during the day when constant activity keeps the animals away, but keep it on at night to ensure they don’t trespass.

Install bright lights
A simple and valuable way to keep deer off your garden is strategically placing bright lights along the boundary. You can install motion-activating lights so that if deer do come out at night to chow down on your plants, the sudden bright light can scare them away. Or, you can buy a manual system and switch it on before going to bed. Motion-detecting devices may be better as they have a startling effect when a deer approaches and turn off automatically soon after. Also, your neighbors may not be comfortable with a bright light being left on all night.

Try animal-repelling products
The market has various animal-repelling products that you can use to keep deer away from your plants. A deer repellant spray is one such product that’s easily accessible in stores. Some sprays don’t get washed away after rain, saving you the trouble of re-applying them every now and then. You may also find deer-repellent granules that must be scattered around in the yard. These granules only repel animals and don’t harm them in any way.

Regardless of your method or technique, always handle human-animal conflicts gently. Contact the local authorities or an environmental organization if you have severe issues. They will know how to keep deer out of your yard without disturbing the peace in the community.

How to tell whether a deer has trespassed the property?
Some signs that indicate a deer has been around include:

• Deer tracks on bare land or areas around your yard or garden
• Deer droppings in the garden
• Plants like daylilies and hostas that appear chewed
• Broken branches
• Shrubs and plants up to six feet that have been stamped upon

If you notice these signs but cannot spot the deer, it most likely comes out at night when there’s little to no movement in the house.