Not In My Garden You Don't ... Deer (and other safe, frugal forms of pest control)

How upsetting is it to do all the back breaking labor and go to the expense of putting in a flower or vegetable garden or plant trees only to have our furry friends to come and destroy it?

Here are a few non toxic tips on how to repel and detract these critters without harming the cycle of life in the animal kingdom or putting our kids and pets at risk.

This picture was taken in my Father's front yard in South Central Kentucky.

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Step 1: For A Bambi Free Zone

To repel Deer:

You will need:
An old flower pot, plastic or clay
An old sock or the foot part of a pair of hosiery
String, Twine or anything you can make a tie and hanger with

Any ONE of the following:

Strong smelling deodorant soap like Irish Spring
Baby Powder
Raw Garlic Cloves
Athletes Foot Powder
6 - 12 Cotton Balls soaked in Peppermint Oil

Brainchigger1 says: Apr 3, 2012. 7:04 PM

I love my electric fence. Easy to configure, like 6" off the ground. Rabbits, coons, armadillos, possums, skunks, coyotes, cats, and the family dog will learn with one lesson, that they need to leave this space alone. Flower bed, chicken yard, or any thing else you want protected. Will not kill any thing, just a terrifying jolt will send anything on its way. Cheap too.

mercysmith says: Sep 4, 2011. 8:57 AM

We have 150+ deer on our property in Tx Hill Cntry, but I raise the most beautiful flowers anyway! From Lowe's, I took sections of deck railing (6 ft x 3 1/2 ft), placed it horizontally out from the bottom of my windows. They are suspended from the top edge of the windows to the outside edge of the railing with cable. You can outline the edges with 2 x4's and paint to match your trim before installing. I filled all kinds of pots with good soil, (&SuperThrive, HastaGro organic fertilizers) plants, & topped w/shredded hardwood mulch. The deer cannot reach up high enough to eat the plants. I can enjoy the flowers from my living area because they are window level. Even in the drought, my flowers have been spilling out all over with beautiful blooms. I just add a little water each a.m. when I fill the deer's water containers!! The water drains right through the rails of the deck railing material! The look is very DWELL magazine!

pchoksatitgul says: Jun 20, 2011. 11:51 AM

I'll try thanks

Lucyfurr says: Mar 7, 2011. 12:37 PM

Can someone please clarify why geckos are "pesky" (according to Juniverse) and warrant trapping? I live too far north to benefit from their bug-eating tendencies...but I imagine I'd prefer geckos to bugs...I'll have to do some research.

Knoodlez says: Apr 23, 2010. 2:29 PM

Some useful info here if you have 'infestations' of these insects and animals I suppose. I could never figure out why people move to rural areas though and then complain when the native animals, insects and birds make use of what you put in your yard. Perhaps it's best to research what lives in the area before moving there. You put what they eat in your yard and expect them not to come?
Just seems a little insane to me. I've lived rural all of my life - I don't try to deter anything and I have never had a problem with wildlife worthy of putting out deterrents to keep them at bay. In fact quite the opposite I enjoy and benefit from their presence - yep, even the ants. Good luck with your efforts though!

mark36091 says: Mar 17, 2010. 5:15 AM

I'm not trying to be ugly or start a feud, but grits aren't effective for fire ant control. There are multiple articles on the net that expose this as a myth. Here's one in particular:

http://www.walterreeves.com/insects_animals/article.phtml?cat=21&id=666

However, the rest of the article is very helpful and I'll be using the deer repellant ideas in my garden this year. Thanks for the tips!

fultondp says: Jun 11, 2009. 1:23 PM

The best deer and racoon deterent I've found is a motion activated sprinkler. I've got neighbors with a koi pond that kept getting raided by herons. I let them borrow my scarecrow sprinkler, and they never gave it back! (They did buy me a new one, so all is good)

DebH57 (author) in reply to fultondpJun 11, 2009. 5:52 PM

How much does a scarecrow sprinkler cost Fulton? Do you have a link where I can order one? Thanks for commenting!

fultondp in reply to DebH57Jun 12, 2009. 8:30 AM

They are $40 - $70. The one I have has a 9v battery for the sensor and shoots about 40 ft. Just google "motion activated sprinkler" and youll find them. Amazon has 2 models. I've also seen them at Ace and TrueValue hardware stores and at nurseries. They also work well for keeping the neighbor dogs from pooping in the front yard.

DebH57 (author) in reply to fultondpJun 12, 2009. 9:26 AM

Now I find keeping neighbor dogs out of the yard useful ... I wonder how well it would work with those people who knock on your door early on Saturday mornings ... Thanks I will check them out.

curt resident in reply to DebH57Sep 23, 2009. 2:39 AM

I have one aimed at my front porch for door-2-door sales people and flier posters. I watch them on my security cam as they approach the front door with scotch tape and fliers in hand. By the time they reach the front porch, it is too late and they get a burst of water. Harmless but very effective! and, great entertainment ~~! I do post a "warning" at the beginning of my walk...which of course, they always ignore. I also advised the mailman, UPS, FedEx and friends. They all think it is amusing. Best $80 I ever spent. If you buy one, use washer hose for connection, as the pressure will blow out most hoses.

kittywitty says: Sep 11, 2009. 6:50 PM

Any ideas for rabbit proofing the garden? tulips are extinct in my garden for the last few years, and soon others.

Bensterism says: Jul 27, 2009. 8:01 PM

A way to get rid of my kids???

Deewheat says: Jul 27, 2009. 1:21 PM

Spraying old clothes with cheap, nasty perfume (think yard sales LOL!) and laying them around the garden works well too for deer and rodents.

hsmomof2 says: Jul 25, 2009. 7:33 AM

I wondered if there was a safer way to get rid of ants etc.. I hate to use harmful chemicals, so this is a great alternative.

DebH57 (author) in reply to hsmomof2Jul 25, 2009. 10:29 AM

Yes it works really well.

hsmomof2 in reply to DebH57Jul 25, 2009. 11:19 AM

My mom just hangs the bars of soap tied with twine from the trees. I will give her a copy of this idea for the Bambi free zone.

DebH57 (author) in reply to hsmomof2Jul 26, 2009. 9:58 PM

Good deal Hsmom

im4tooele says: Jul 22, 2009. 4:57 PM

Great shot, Debra.

DebH57 (author) in reply to im4tooeleJul 25, 2009. 10:28 AM

Thanks Im4

chauntee2 says: Jul 20, 2009. 3:34 PM

I love that picture;)

DebH57 (author) in reply to chauntee2Jul 25, 2009. 10:28 AM

The deer come to my Dads front yard every year Chauntee

juvinurse says: Jul 20, 2009. 6:50 AM

Got any sure fired ways to get rid of those pesky geckos that we have in Florida?

DebH57 (author) in reply to juvinurseJul 20, 2009. 8:00 AM

The best way to get rid of geckos, aside from catching them and selling them to a pet store is to reduce or remove their food supply, outside you can use bug zappers and pesticides that kill the bugs which is the geckos main fare, caulk and seal up any cracks and crevices around brick walls, roofing tiles and cover downspouts with cheesecloth or any other material that will not impede water from exiting. These are places where they like to hide. Also use super sticky type traps usually designed for mice and roaches around lighted areas, windows and any other areas you see them hanging out.