Marnie Tichenell from the OSU School of Environment and Natural Resources continued with the second part of her presentation – deer repellents and deer exclusion. Since this is the area people ask about most, I was anxious to hear the latest research findings. She first told us how to recognize deer damage. Look for shredded leaves and stems rather than clean cuts. Deer have no incisors so they pull on vegetation.
A multitude of deer repellents are on the market. A helpful annotated list is published by Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources: http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/Portals/9/pdf/pub138.pdf (see last page). She cautioned that deterrents are at most only 60% effective and that smell deters better than taste – that is useful information. Any repellent works better if it is diligently reapplied after rain and on new shoots. Water sprayers, soap, human hair, and loud noises are less successful and all will fail if the deer are hungry. Marnie emphasized that deer are quick learners and soon determine real danger from perceived danger. The best choice is a combination of repellents and landscaping plants that deer avoid. That is disappointing news for those who enjoy roses, hostas, and home-grown vegetables.
Deer rubbing on trees is another problem. Bucks must rub their antlers on flexible trees in the fall. This destroys the living tissue under the bark and causes either deformed growth or tree fatality. Wrapping tree trunks until they are at least 3 inches in diameter with plastic “tape” or caging them provides protection. (Have you noticed the new cages the YS Tree Committee is using on young trees to mitigate both deer and lawn mower damage?)
Next, Dan Gehrt, a wildlife specialist for OSU, discussed exclusion fencing. He advocates electric fencing for nurseries, orchards or commercial vegetable plots. It may be needed only during the growing season or all year round if 100% protection is required. The drawbacks are zoning limitations and maintenance since it must be kept free of weeds and snow. In town the least expensive fencing is a woven polypropylene plastic. It should be at least 8 feet high and be secured along the bottom since deer will easily push under a fence. The Univ. of Nebraska Extension has an excellent publication on exclusion methods at http://icwdm.org/handbook/mammals/Deer.asp. Other methods include dogs which are helpful, deer relocation which is deadly for the deer, and birth control drugs which are not cost effective and are less than successful.
The last speaker was a bow hunter who spoke about a population reduction program that is being considered in Fairborn parks. While this may not appeal to everyone, it’s clearly an option more and more communities are adopting. That will be the topic for Part 3.
Macy Reynolds, Greene County Master Gardener
Read Part One
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