By MARION BARNES

Senior County Extension Agent

Clemson University

Many gardeners, homeowners, and farmers can relate with the statement, “too much of a good thing” when it comes to the white-tailed deer population in parts of South Carolina. According to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, the deer population in South Carolina is estimated to be around 730,000 animals. These figures are down compared to when numbers peaked in the state in the 1990s at around one million deer.

Deer are an important natural resource to our state, generating income through hunting leases, sales of hunting licenses, hunting supplies, seed, fertilizers and equipment used for planting wildlife food plots, creating jobs, etc. However, if you are a farmer, gardener, homeowner or even a motorist traveling in an area with a high deer density, you might just have a little different opinion of deer.   

Many homeowners actually enjoy having deer on their property and some encourage them by providing food. When garden plants become difficult to grow and landscape plants are damaged by browsing of nuisance deer, attitudes begin to change. Bucks can also damage young trees and shrubs by rubbing them with their antlers during rut.

A deer’s diet consist of a wide range of plants including forbs (broadleaf herbaceous plants), young trees, shrubs and vines and other nutrient-rich plants. Fertilized plants in the home garden and yard make an attractive source of food. Deer also get a substantial portion of their water supply from the moisture contained in irrigated plants and young, succulent vegetation.

Before you can protect your plantings, it is important to identify which wildlife species is responsible. White-tailed deer damage often results from browsing and occurs year-round, but is most frequently seen in the spring. Some indications of damage are as follows: 

• Tracks and droppings are obvious signs that deer have visited your property.

• Since deer lack upper incisors (teeth), the leaves, stems and branches have a rough, torn or shredded appearance.

• Rabbits and rodents leave a clear, neat cut at a 45-degree angle on plants lower to the ground.

• Rabbits and rodents will often leave tooth marks when gnawing on small limbs and branches, where deer will leave no marks. However, when gnawing on the fruit such as  squash or watermelons, they may leave marks from lower teeth.

There are numerous techniques gardeners and homeowners can employ to combat deer damage. It’s important to take a proactive approach since deer are very persistent once they start feeding on your plants. Some common control methods include the population reduction, physical exclusion, scare tactics, repellants  and habitat modification.

Population reduction

Reducing the deer population through hunting is the most cost effective, long-term solution, but is often not an option in urban and city settings. For those who reside in the rural areas as well as agricultural producers dealing with crop damage, hunting is an alternative.

Physical exclusion

Fencing to prevent deer from reaching your garden crops is usually the most effective means of reducing damage, but is an expensive solution depending on the type of fence, size of the area and installation requirements.

For individual ornamental plants, simple enclosures made from short sections woven wire can be helpful in reducing browsing on newly planted small trees and shrubs like azaleas or camellias. Some fence designs may not be esthetically acceptable in certain landscape situations. Fencing can be temporary or permanent depending on design and severity of damage. 

The most commonly constructed fence types are woven or mesh wire fencing or electrical fencing, both of which offer long-term protection to garden crops and are better suited for larger areas. Other fencing materials such as light weight UV resistant polyethylene mesh are a cost-effective alternative to the standard woven wire fencing.

Electrical fences are a somewhat less expensive alternative and can be just as effective but require higher maintenance. If electric fences are used, make sure signs are posted to warn family members and visitors about the danger of electrical shock. As with any electrical fence, proper and safe grounding is required.

Height is a critical component for success, no matter the design, and fences should be high enough to deter jumping.

Scare tactics

Most scare tactics are short term solutions at best, since deer are very adaptive animals and quickly become accustomed to these techniques. Devices that produce loud noises or flashing lights are often used when deer populations are low.

Man’s best friend can also be a deferent to nuisance wildlife visiting home gardens and lawns. Electronic invisible fencing systems allow dogs to patrol areas of your yard that are often visited by deer.

With numerous types of scare tactics on the market, one is advised to research products thoroughly to find the one best suited for your particular situation. 

Repellants

If fences are not an option for you, then repellants that have an unpleasant odor or taste may be an alternative.

There are two general categories of repellants, “contact” and “area” repellants. Contact repellants are applied to the plant and repel by taste. Area repellants are applied to the area near plants and repel by smell.

Repellants, like scare tactics are temporary at best. Unfortunately, animals may soon become accustomed to the taste or smell of repellants, at which time they lose their effectiveness.

Not all repellants are labeled or safe for use on garden crops and may be better suited for ornamental or non-food type plants. Refer to the product label or directions for use before applying any repellant to plants, especially garden plants.

Most “home remedies” have been found to be unreliable. Repellants can be costly, labor intensive, and reapplication may be necessary after rain or new plant growth.

Habitat modification

The habitat for any wildlife species consist of food, water, cover and space in their home range. The goal of habitat modification is making your landscape less attractive than the natural surroundings. 

The feeding habits of deer change with the seasonal availability of plants. Deer feed selectively on different plants and plant parts based on nutritional needs, palatability and past experience. Deer also tend to show a preference for newly planted, fertilized crops. Deer will eat most any plant if under stress, but tend to avoid less tasty plants under most conditions.

Planting ornamental plants that deer do not prefer is a form of habit modification.

Although there is no such thing as “deer resistance plants” when deer populations are high and food is scarce, deer generally do not like plants with pungent or strong-scented aromas. Reports also indicate deer tend to browse less on plants with rough or prickly leaves and bitter taste.  

In conclusion, there is no “silver bullet” when it comes to reducing damage to home garden and ornamental plants. Combining several strategies such as fencing, use of repellants or planting browse tolerant ornamental plants can reduce damage from hungry deer.

For more information on reducing deer damage to your ornamental plants check out, the University of Georgia’s publication titled Deer-Tolerant Ornamental Plants by Gary L. Wade, UGA Extension Horticulturist and Michael T. Mangak, Wildlife Specialist, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources at: https://secure.caes.uga.edu/extension/publications/files/pdf/C%20985_2.PDF

 Or the Clemson Home and Garden Information Center publication, Deer Resistant Plants for the Landscape- Annuals and Perennials at:

Deer Resistant Plants for the Landscape –Annuals & Perennials

(Information for this article was taken from several sources including: Deer-Tolerant Ornamental Plants by Gary L. Wade, UGA Extension Horticulturist and Michael T. Mengak, Wildlife Specialist, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural, How to Manage Deer Damage on Trees and Other Plants, by John P. Loegering, Extension Wildlife Specialist and Madeline E. Witt, Wildlife Management Graduate, University of Minnesota and Ornamental and Garden Plants: Controlling Deer Damage by David Hillcock, Kimberly Toscano and Dwayne Elmore, Oklahoma State University.)