Dear, We Have a Deer Problem: Deer-Repellent Options You Can Explore
We all love Bambi, the adorable deer from that Disney classic of the same name. We felt for him when his mother died and his forest home was destroyed. Likewise, we have also experienced joy as we saw his happily ever after. His story of becoming the Great Prince of the Forest has been well-loved for so many years now, and children still enjoy it until now. Even if we know Bambi is not real, his brethren totally are not a product of fiction. We might think of these deer as majestic creatures of the forest, and they truly live up to that title. There is something so magical seeing deer in their natural habitat, especially if you live near their areas.
Sadly, they become a problem when they invade your gardens.
This can be a rare occurrence in urban areas unless a deer escape from the zoo or something. However, there are many residential areas that are near the border of forests and meadows. Due to the habit of humans in changing the landscape, this delicate little ecosystem is usually disturbed. Many animals that are not used to human interaction are driven away or adapt to their current state. They can take advantage of a human habitat by using the things that we also consume. For example, in the rural parts of Alaska, there are areas which are inhabited by bears and they can pose a threat to nearby towns. Read this article to learn more: https://www.cntraveler.com/story/alaskan-town-kaktovik-polar-bears-and-tourists.
Deer, on the other hand, are not really a danger to humans. In fact, there are many instances wherein deer can be really friendly towards humans. They can be very gentle and pose no harm even to young children as long they have adult supervision or a professional around. However, they are still considered as wild animals and they cannot be turned to pets. Deer are also very much attuned to their natural habitat and are also prone to many diseases. There is even one article recently that describes the rise of “zombie deer disease”. Learn more about it by clicking here.
Doctors and scientists are still trying to find out if eating their meat is dangerous to humans, as there are still people who hunt them for food. Deer meat is also found to be very profitable and is a local delicacy in many places across the world. There are also certain places which follow strict rules when hunting, as there are only certain periods in a year that it is legal to hunt. This is also to preserve wildlife and help in its conservation.
However, it is a different matter if you find the dear in your backyard eating your berries, cabbages and other plants. You cannot just shoot them as it can alarm your neighbors and it might also be illegal to hunt them in your area. If you do not want PETA at your doorstep, then there are other ways to keep them out of your home and garden. Here are some of the few:
- Deer Repellant
These are usually natural substances that deter or make the deer avoid your area. It can also imitate the smell of predator’s urine to trick them into thinking that this is their area. There are a lot of deer repellent brands in the market today from soap bars or ready-mix sprays. Always check the ingredients first before spraying them around your garden as this can also affect your plants.
- Ultrasonic Deer Repeller
If you not want to spray chemicals around your vicinity, then you can also consider ultrasonic devices. These are gadgets that emit sonic sounds which are not detectable by humans. As deers have sensitive ears, they can detect this and they will be driven off because it is horrible for their hearing. You can check out many models online and there are so many other perks like deterring other animals as well.
- Fencing
The almost never changing art of fencing your own property can still be viable as a natural deer repellent. Just make sure that it is not short enough for a buck to jump over. Also, make sure that it is sturdy as well so that it cannot be easily destroyed by the deer and other animals. You can also turn it to an electrical fence; however, you may run the risk of finding dead animals by the next day. IT can also be hazardous to the people around of they are not aware of the electric fence so always be careful if you want this installed for your home.