How You Can Control Deer In Your Yard
As we encroach more and more into the land around us, the
boundary between wildlife and humans and wildlife becomes more blurred. Deer often
wander into residential areas looking for food, especially when there is a
large population of deer and not enough food for them. Deer are highly
adaptable to changes in their environment and they have become very comfortable
foraging in residential properties. The problem is in just minutes they can eat
hundreds of dollars worth of plants and trees. So how can you control deer in
your yard?
As we mentioned, deer can cause damage to your plants and
trees by feeding on the flowers, leaves, bark, and stems. Male deer often rub
their antlers on tree trunks, causing the shedding of bark and causing trunks
to split or splinter. This often happens during the fall between September and
November.
Human Health Concerns
Deer host deer ticks, which often carry Lyme disease a
bacterial disease that can be transmitted to humans when the tick bites. Signs
of Lyme disease include flu-like symptoms, muscle aches, and a ring-shaped rash.
If you experience these symptoms after being bitten by a tick you should see
your doctor for correct diagnosis.
What to Watch For
You may find evidence of deer presence by searching for
track marks in the soil, mud, or snow. The hoof prints are approx. 3” long. Dee
droppings are another sign, which are pellet-like and appear in clumps. If you
see that branches and twigs are rough and shredded, this is usually done by
deer. Deer tend to feed in the early morning hours. Damage can be more severe where
there is a high deer population and food is scarce.
What You Can Do
There are some plants and trees that are deer resistant than
others, but keep in mind when deer are really hungry they will eat almost anything
that is available. You can construct a physical barrier around your property
like a high fence, but this can be very expensive. Repellents when used properly
can be effective ways to keep deer away.