 Protecting Your Property Against Hungry Deer All Year
Even in the Winter It's Important to Deter Deer from Your Property
By Bob Malgieri, Tree & Shrub Care Manager
Sure, those foraging deer are cute and fun to watch ... but they can wreak havoc on your property during the cold weather months!
During winter months, when foliage is gone from their natural habitat, hungry deer go from "wildlife to watch" to "wildlife to ward off" in order to protect landscaping. Homeowners who live near wooded areas should take precautions against foraging deer that wander on to private property from those now-bare areas to eat the trees and shrubs. There are several non-toxic deer repellent measures homeowners can use to protect plants and trees-naturally and effectively-that won't cause harm to plants, animals or humans.
Evidence that deer have been dining on your landscaping or trespassing in cold weather include ragged ends where twigs or leaves are torn away; plants grazed down to the ground; and missing or damaged tree limbs from ground level to about six feet high.
Why Winter Precautions are Important
Deer will go after any plant material during the winter time, even those that are dormant. For example:
· Evergreens such as rhododendrons, azaleas, andromedas and some deciduous trees have already formed buds for the coming spring. These buds are loaded with nutrients that hungry deer crave.
· Deer will also eat twigs and bark in the winter months, which can strip and damage trees.
· As deer browse for food at ground level, they can ruin any low-lying plant material-especially plants which are very fragile in the winter months.
· Deer can cause property damage from sliding on icy driveways, patios, and walkways ... into cars, light posts, outdoor furniture, fencing or your home.
· During the early winter months (mating season) bucks mark their territories by rubbing their antlers on small-caliber trees; these "deer rubs" can cause severe damage to trees.
Home Remedies for Winter Combat To deter deer from destroying the landscape, homeowners can use their highly sensitive olfactory sense against them with strongly scented materials and plants on borders and in gardens. There are several simple steps homeowners can using easy-to-find materials and products, and store-bought solutions. Because our firm specializes in organic and natural lawn and tree care, we advocate the use of natural techniques to deter deer. It's a good idea to switch between several deterrents to avoid the deer becoming desensitized to them. Look for products that contain natural ingredients that won't leave an offensive odor to people, are safe for all gardens, are rain-resistant, and won't discolor or add residue to flowers and delicate plants. Aside from physical barriers such as fencing, some do-it-yourself winter tactics are: · Hang small bags of human hair every meter along a fence or other border. The oil in the hair is what keeps deer away, so unwashed hair is preferable. A local hairdresser may be able to supply this. · Hang bags of perfumed soap along the fence line. · Make a putrefied egg solution, the basis of many store-bought repellents. Add one beaten egg to every one gallon of water. Use your home made solution immediately or allow the solution to sit and rot in order to increase in strength. (Note: solution may attract raccoons or dogs to a garden.) · Spray garlic oil or hot pepper spray in areas to deter deer from browsing. Planting garlic bulbs and hot peppers that bloom in the spring and summer will extend this technique in other seasons. · Purchase commercial organic deer repellent sprays which contain putrescent egg, garlic or hot pepper, which is safe for children or pets. While wildlife is to be appreciated and respected (hence the use of natural repellents), your private landscape must be protected throughout the year. In fact, our company offers six regularly scheduled organic sprays throughout the year to repel deer in every season. Just because things are not growing during the winter doesn't mean they are not attractive as food for hungry deer. Following these easy steps-or calling your landscape company to spray your trees and plantings with organic compounds-will help protect your property without causing harm to the animals or the environment. Bob Malgieri is an expert in deer prevention techniques and lectures on the subject to northern New Jersey garden clubs and the public. He has been working in the landscaping industry for 30 years; in 2007 he joined Borst Landscape and Design in Allendale, N.J. as the firm's tree and shrub care manager. For more information about deer prevention or organic lawn, garden and tree care, visit www.borstlandscape.com. | 
s Dickens was born in the month of February and that may be why he chose to call one of his most popular books "Great Expectations," as it is so fitting with our own longings for spring!
