Are deer nibbling your young fruit trees? Is your strawberry patch being mowed down by invading deer? Are rabbits eating your tender beet or pea shoots? Can anything low-cost be done to stop them?
Several years ago, we started an orchard in our back pasture. The orchard included peach, apple, pecan, and chestnut trees. Not long after, I noticed leaves being eaten by deer, especially off the peach and chestnut trees. I had heard that our neighbor had used some kind of store-bought spray to keep deer from eating her trees. I researched for a natural spray, then experimented. The spray worked!
Several years have past since then. I have not experienced problems with deer eating my young trees. At first you must regularly apply the spray (every week or after a rain). As the summer continues, however, you only need to apply after heavy rains. The smell of rotten eggs and milk spiced with garlic and cayenne doesn’t appeal to deer!
Deer Repellent Spray
3 eggs
½ c milk or yogurt
3 crushed garlic cloves
3 T cayenne pepper
3+ c water
Blend all ingredients together in a blender. Pour into a gallon glass jar or designated container. Fill the rest of the jar with water. Cover and let sit at room temperature for at least 24 hours.
Strain through a fine-mesh strainer into a gallon pump sprayer. Spray on young tress, strawberry plants, or any other plants the deer are eating. It will also work for repelling rabbits. Don’t spray during the heat of the day to avoid burning the plants.
When making the deer repellent, I have a designated plastic gallon jar that I only use to let it steep in. On the jar is written the recipe for easy access. During the summer months, I continue to reuse the pulp (what’s left in the strainer) to start my next batch. To do this, put the pulp into your now-empty container. Then, in a blender, blend 1 or 2 eggs, milk, and water. Pour into the jar, and fill the rest of the jar with water. Discard some of the pulp as needed when it becomes too much to strain. Occassionally, I do start a fresh batch.
You can also use this spray on other plants that either deer or rabbits are munching. I wouldn’t advise spraying produce that you will eat soon.
I have found this spray very helpful, and I hope you do also!