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Deer Warning
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Posted by bluebars 7 MD (My Page) on Wed, Aug 5, 09 at 8:48
For all of you who think deer are not a problem for iris, I've got some bad news to share. For 10 years, the iris are the ONLY thing they did NOT eat. So my neighbors and I have, of course, planted lots and lots of beautiful iris over the years.
Last week, I noticed 3 leaves bitten off (with a curved bite about halfway up the leaf). Hoping it was just a fluke.
The next day, several more were bitten. The day after that, even more. Now my next door neighbor says they are actually pulling them up out of the ground and leaving them lay in the sun to die.
I have put a wire fence cage-like cover all around my most precious, my Mom's heirlooms, at least they will be safe.
Otherwise, I think I will pave it all over and quit gardening altogether, since I am not allowed to hunt the #@!* deer.
In tears,
BlueBars |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Deer Warning
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I am so sorry! I know that is heartbreaking.
kay |
RE: Deer Warning
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| You might want to read up and maybe consider milorganite as a deer repellent. It is often not found locally, but I found I could order it on line for $10.99 for a 40 LB bag, and it was delivered for free to my local Ace Hardware store for me to pick-up. I was told by a nursery friend that she uses it whenever she pots up anything as it never burns and is totally safe. I see it is found cheaper at True Value on line, but don't see where they have free shipping to a store I'm sorry too for your losses. Sue |
Here is a link that might be useful: Millorganite deer search results.
RE: Deer Warning
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I should have stated in my post that, yes, we have tried every repellent and gadget thus far known to mankind, except bullets (not legal where I live).
When they have eaten everything else, they eat anything that is left, or trample it trying. |
RE: Deer Warning
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| We use a fine homemade repellant, DH makes it for free every day. He saves it in a gallon milk jug for me & in evening I sprinkle around the plants I want to protect. Let it ripen up a few days before using. Don't apply on same day if garden is upwind of the spot you are going to entertain guests, such as the porch or patio! It hasn't failed us yet! I know there might be some concern about burning, etc. I don't sprinkle it on the exact same spots every time and there are a few days in between application. After water, it's mostly ammonia and that is what fertilizer is made from. I could make my own, too, but it would be harder to get it in the jug! |
RE: Deer Warning
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Okaaaay. Maybe I can get DH to drink more beer (any reason will do, LOL)
And where do you store this gallon jug? And just how do you "sprinkle" it?
OMG I can't believe the deer have reduced us to this. |
RE: Deer Warning
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| I'm sorry. Are Tasers legal there?
Renee |
RE: Deer Warning
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| Yes the deer are getting desperate here too and are chewing on my iris leaves. They also kick my newly planted ones out of the ground so I try to check on them everyday. What really ticked me off is they ate a seed pod I had paper wrapped around. They ate the paper and all. The only thing that works here is a fence and it doesn't help when I leave the gate open. |
RE: Deer Warning
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| Sorry to say this, but urine isn't going to repel deer. I have been experimenting with urine, and it doesn't faze the deer. It is the young ones who don't know any better who eat things that are supposedly deer resistant. So if a doe brings her young ones to your yard to learn their foods, it is really a shame. What has worked for me is fencing. Tall fencing. But then I haven't had a problem with iris so far. The deer here are mostly interested in pepper plants, bean plants and tulips. My iris are out in my xeriscape bed outside the fence. The deer do walk through there and maybe trample some, but nothing lethal so far. Town deer have no shame, and they stand and watch me practice with my compound bow. It's very hard to keep within the law. My upstairs window would make a great tree stand.....I would be really ticked off to lose a seed pod. |
RE: Deer Warning
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They have no shame, and no fear. DH shoots trap, and the deer wander right in front of the shooters at the range. They don't even flinch. Frequently a cease-fire must be called to chase them off, because they are not allowed to shoot the deer. But a few minutes later, they wander back in the way.
Sometimes at night, I look out my window, and the deer just stand there staring in at me, just a few feet away. No fear. I wave my arms about, and they just stare (and probably snicker).
However, our problems seem very minimal when we hear about a friend or coworker who is injured or even killed by a deer on the road. I've had several extremely close calls myself--it is very dangerous. You risk a lot more than a seed pod out there. Plus you have to worry about lyme disease in your own garden.
BlueBars |
RE: Deer Warning
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| I have had wonderful results using "Deer Out". They don't even try to munch on my Hostas which they love. The trick is to use it more often than the company says and to especially use it after rains. Nanaof3 |
RE: Deer Warning
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| I have the perfect solution that has lasted my for a few years now! I have bought this motion detector that is designed to keep the deer off. When it sences motion, it makes a starteling noise and sprays wayer in the direction the sensors are facing! They come in many different levels of quality and expence, but depending upon the size your irises are taking up, 2 or 3 of them might do the trick. We've nicknamed them "The Machine Guns" because they probable work as effectively as a machine gun would of teaching the deer to stay off. Eventually, they will avoid that area all together. I hape it works for you. |
RE: Deer Warning
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| Actually, urine works great on the deer in Tennessee. Keeps them away from daylilies, heucheras, hostas, etc. If I forget to reapply after a rain, those plants are eaten down to ground level overnight. And I've found I just have to spread it around the area, not always on the actual plants. |
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